5/26 - 5/30 Life Group Questions

^ Click Take A Note ^ Remember to write down some short notes for each of the questions below before heading to life group.

1.

Share 1 thing that stood out to you about Sunday's Message. (1 minute max please) Also press play button in image above to listen to Sundays message if you missed it or just to refresh your memory. (Each Individual)

2. Left On Abraham Ave.

Romans 3:1-2

1 Then what advantage has the Jew? Or what is the value of circumcision? 2 Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.

Deuteronomy 4:7-9

7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon him? 8 And what great nation is there, that has statutes and rules so righteous as all this law that I set before you today? 9 “Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children

Psalm 147:19-20

19 He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and rules to Israel. 20 He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his rules. Praise the Lord!

Psalm 119:11

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

On Sunday Pastor Vaughn connected Abraham Avenue with "the law" of God. The whole of the Old Testament is referred to as the law & the prophets or the Hebrew Bible. Pastor Vaughn said that the Jews had misunderstood the purpose of the law and that they had even missed all the signs that pointed to Jesus causing them to deny Him when He arrived. Still, what made Isreal/Jews unique and special was receiving the word of God. In a strikingly similar way Christians have been given the Old & New Testament complete bible and we are unique amongst all people in the world today.

How can the church and every individual avoid the mistakes the Jews made when it came to receiving the gift of the word of God? Discuss reading and understanding the bible, expectations for Christian lifestyles found in the bible, individual & family biblical responsibilities (couples? kids?), and where to go for help? (Group Discussion - Questions above to be considered as part of the discussion)

3. The Crossroads Tollroad

Galatians 3:10-25

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.” 13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”),14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise. 19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one. 21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Romans 5:1

1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Matthew 5:17

17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Romans 3:28-31

28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

Abraham Ave. & Gentile Junction have both dead-ended at the Crossway Tollroad. The only way to fulfill the law and for justice to be done and for righteousness to prevail is for Jesus to do what only He could do. Why are law & lawlessness dead-ends? What is it that Jesus did/accomplished on the cross or how does the Crossroad Tollroad bring people from the dead-ends of law & lawlessness into right standing with God? What does it mean to be saved by faith through grace? What role does the law play in the lives of believers once they have been saved by faith through grace? (Group Discussion - Questions above to be considered as part of the discussion)

* Remember to pray for each other before heading home from life group and to stay in communication here in the app throughout the week on your life group messaging thread!