Address the Mess - Week 1

April 11, 2021

Notes

Discovering the Mess
Romans 3:19-24

• The mess that brings us together is the mess that brought God near.

• Two Purposes for the Law of God

  1. So that every mouth may be silenced

  2. So that the whole world be held accountable to God

• The one thing we have in common with everyone else on the planet is the “mess we are in.”

• "I know a mess when I see one because I am one."

Discussion

Use these questions to reflect on this week's message as a family or group.

1. Think back to your childhood. Do you remember a big mess that you found yourself in? You broke the rules and got caught. How did you know that you did something wrong? Whose rule did you break?

2. Pastor Brian gave three usual responses when we come face to face with “the Law”: We compare ourselves to others, defend ourselves, or promise to do better. Give an example of how you have seen these responses from prominent public figures.  Which of these responses do you usually use?

3. According to Romans 3:19, what are the two specific purposes of the Law of God?

4. Read Romans 3:20. According to this text, how do we become aware of our sin mess?

5. If God requires righteousness in order to have a relationship with him, how do we achieve what God requires of us? See Romans 3:20-22.

6. The mess that brings us together is the mess that brought God near. How can we draw comfort from this big idea from this week’s message?