Prepare Him Room (Part One)
(Luke 1:1-25)

I. The Silent Suffering of a Godly Couple (Luke 1:5-7)

II. The Angel’s Announcement of Christ’s Forerunner (Luke 1:8-22)

III. The Humble Recognition of God’s Favor (Luke 1:23-25)

How will you prepare your heart to celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmas season?

Discussion Questions, Romans 3:21-26

1. In the first three chapters of Romans, Paul says in several different ways “all have sinned.” Why do you think he spent so much time establishing that? What impact does this have on how we view ourselves and others?
2. Why are we all so prone to try to get right with God by our own good works? What sin is at the root of this?
3. How can God be just and still justify those who sin?
4. Verse 21 speaks of our salvation being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets. Find instances in the Law and Prophets where our salvation and Jesus’ sacrifice were prophesied about.
5. In verse 25, it speaks of God in His forbearance “passing over” the sins that were previously committed. What does this mean?
6. What truth from the first three chapters of Romans has been most impactful?

Discussion Questions (Romans 2:1-11):

1. What is self-righteousness and why are we so prone to it?
2. What is the danger of self-righteousness?
3. Looking ahead to Romans 2:17-24, what was the basis for Jewish self-righteousness?
4. Read Matthew 7:1-6. Why is judging others sometimes both necessary and right? When is it wrong? How can we know the difference?
5. How does God’s goodness lead us to repentance?
6. What does this passage teach about humankind’s equality before God? What standard does
   the passage say God uses to judge everyone, both Jews and Gentiles?
7. What contrasts and comparisons do you notice in this passage? What differences do you see
   in this passage between righteousness and unrighteousness?
8. Summarize this passage in your own words.

Discussion Questions (Romans 1:18-32)

1. How does Paul describe the wrath of God? Is this in line with your thinking? The world’s thinking?

2. How do people “suppress the truth” (1:18) of God by what they do and what they do not do?

3. Paul repeats three times in Romans 1:18–32 that God “gave them up” or “delivered them over” (1:24, 26, 28). What do these phrases tell us about God and about ourselves? What is Paul emphasizing through this repetition?

4. What does it mean to be “without excuse” (1:20) and why is this important for how anyone

understands the gospel?

5. What is the overall point Paul is trying to make in Romans 1:18–32? How does this relate to

what Paul said in Romans 1:1–17?

6. Paul describes idolatry in terms of how it developed in ancient times, producing wooden

statues and false gods. What are some of the ways that our culture expresses idolatry today?

How do we worship things other than God?

7. God deserves our first and our best in everything, whether it is our time, our talent, or our

treasure. What things in your life challenge God’s place for the first and the best?

8.  What in this study convicts you most? Challenges you most? Compels you to action the most?

Discussion Questions:

1. Romans 1:2 declares that the gospel was promised beforehand by God’s prophets in the Holy
   Scriptures. Why is this important?
2. Paul uses the terms “faith” and “belief” several times in Romans 1:1–17. What do we learn
   about faith from this passage?
3. What evidence does Paul give for the deity of Jesus? Why is this important?
4. What do you think Paul means by the phrase “obedience to the faith” in Romans 1:5? What does it look like to practice that obedience in our own lives?
5. Romans 1:6 says that believers are “the called of Jesus Christ.” What does it mean to be the called of Jesus Christ? How is your life different because of this?
6. In Romans 1:8-10, Paul mentions both prayer and thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 also mentions both together. Why are prayer and thanksgiving so important to our walk with God?
7. Why is Paul not ashamed of the gospel? How should this understanding affect our lives?
8. Reflect on the ways Romans 1:1–17 shows us that Jesus deserves our worship. How do these truths encourage you to share the gospel?
9. What does it look like to mutually encourage one another as believers like Paul desired to
   do in Romans? How can we do that?
10. What is the main theme of Romans 1:1-17?

Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control
(Galatians 5:22-23)

I. Self-Control and God
A. God is sovereign and in control of all things. (Ephesians 1:11; Philippians 3:20-21)
B. God’s wrath is His controlled and righteous anger against sin. (Psalm 7:11; Romans 1:18, 2:5, 9:22)
C. Jesus demonstrated perfect self-control. (Hebrews 4:15)

II. Self-Control, Temptation and Desire
A. Temptation attacks you through your old sinful desires. (James 1:13-15)
B. The Holy Spirit gives you new and right desires. (Galatians 5:16-18)
C. Part of self-control is setting your mind on what the Spirit desires. (Romans 8:5-7)

III. Growing in Self-Control
A. Practice self-discipline. (Proverbs 25:28; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Peter 1:5-6)
B. Beware of addictions. (John 8:32; Galatians 5:1)
C. Don’t give in to anger or fear. (James 1:19-20; 2 Timothy 1:7)
D. Ask God to develop the fruit of self-control in your life (Titus 2:11-12)

Affirmation: I will grow in self-control as I allow the Holy Spirit to subdue my desires.

Application: Exercise self-control in an area where you normally struggle to be self-controlled.

Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness
(Galatians 5:22-23)

I. Gentleness and God
A. God is gentle like a good father. (Psalm 103:13-14)
B. God is gentle like a good shepherd. (Psalm 23:1-3; Isaiah 40:11)
C. Jesus displayed the fruit of gentleness in His life. (Matthew 11:28-30; John 10:11)

II. Gentleness and Strength
A. Gentleness is not the same as weakness. (Isaiah 40:10; Micah 5:4; Matthew 21:12)
B. Only the strong can truly be gentle. (2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 4:15)
C. Gentleness is strength under control. (Proverbs 15:1, 25:15; 1 Corinthians 4:20-21)

III. Growing in Gentleness
A. You should be gentle in teaching. (2 Timothy 2:24-25)
B. You should be gentle in restoring. (Romans 15:1; Galatians 6:1)
C. You should be gentle in marriage. (Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Peter 3:7)
D. You should be gentle in authority. (Ephesians 6:4,9)
E. You should be gentle in witnessing. (1 Thessalonians 2:7; 1 Peter 3:15)
F. Ask God to develop the fruit of gentleness in your life.

Affirmation: I will grow in gentleness as I allow the Spirit to soften my manner.

Application: Thank God that He is incredibly gentle with you and ask Him to help you be gentle toward others.

Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness
(Galatians 5:22-23)

I. Faithfulness and God
A. God is faithful in all His ways. (Psalm 25:10, 100:5)
B. God’s word is trustworthy and true. (Numbers 23:19; Psalm 19:7)
C. Jesus displayed the fruit of faithfulness in His life. (John 17:4; Hebrews 3:5-6; Revelation 1:5)

II. Faithfulness and Character
A. Faithfulness is a matter of integrity. (Proverbs 11:3; Daniel 6:4)
B. Faithfulness is a matter of right priorities. (Matthew 6:33; Ephesians 5:15-17)
C. Faithfulness is a matter of following through. (Colossians 4:17; 2 Timothy 4:7)

III. Growing in Faithfulness
A. Remember God’s faithfulness to you.

1. God is faithful to keep his promises. (Joshua 21:45)
2. He is faithful in his love and compassion for you. (Lamentations 3:22-23)
3. God is faithful in times of trial or temptation. (1 Corinthians 10:13)
4. He is faithful to prepare you for heaven. (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)
5. God is faithful to protect you from the evil one. (2 Thessalonians 3:3)
6. God is faithful even when you are not. (2 Timothy 2:13)
7. He is faithful to forgive your sins. (1 John 1:9)

B. Be a good steward of God’s gifts to you. (1 Corinthians 4:2)
C. Examine your commitments in light of God’s Word. (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5; Malachi 2:14)
D. Be faithful in the small things. (Matthew 25:21; Luke 16:10)
E. Keep your word even when it hurts. (Psalm 15:4)
F. Ask God to develop the fruit of faithfulness in your life.

Affirmation: I will grow in faithfulness as I allow the Spirit to strengthen my character.

Application: Ask a friend how you can pray for them and then pray for them this week.

Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness
(Galatians 5:22-23)

I. Goodness and God
A. God is good all the time! (Psalm 34:8, 145:9; 1 John 1:5)
B. Only God is good. (Mark 10:18; Romans 3:23)
C. God only does good. (Psalm 119:68; Romans 8:28; James 1:17)
D. Jesus always did that which is good. (John 8:29; Acts 10:38)

II. Goodness and the Heart
A. Good and evil both come from the heart. (Matthew 15:19; Luke 6:43-45)
B. Our hearts outside of Christ are desperately wicked. (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 3:10-12)
C. God gives you a new heart when you trust Christ. (Ezekiel 36:26; 2 Corinthians 5:17)

III. Growing in Goodness
A. Confess your sins and seek to live a holy life for God. (Psalm 51:10; 1 John 1:9)
B. Seek to glorify God by doing good works. (Matthew 5:16; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 2:12)
C. Focus on things that are good and pure. (Romans 12:9; Philippians 4:8)
D. Ask God to develop the fruit of goodness in your life.

Affirmation: I will grow in goodness as I allow the Spirit to purify my heart.

Application: Seek to bless someone in your life today, either through your words or your actions.

Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness
(Galatians 5:22-23)

I. Kindness and God
A. God’s kindness is part of his character. (Exodus 34:6; Psalm 136:1)
B. God’s kindness leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4, 11:22)
C. Jesus’ life was full of kindness. (Matthew 9:36; Ephesians 1:7)

II. Kindness and God’s Grace
A. God’s kindness is undeserved. (Titus 3:4-5)
B. God’s kindness is unearned. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
C. God’s kindness should motivate us to be kind to other. (Matthew 18:33; Luke 6:35-36)

III. Growing in Kindness
A. Consider God’s kindness to you in Christ. (Ephesians 2:7, 4:32)
B. Give sacrificially to those in need. (2 Corinthians 8:9; 1 John 3:17-18)
C. Speak a kind word to someone today. (Proverbs 12:25)
D. Remember God’s promises for those who are kind. (Proverbs 11:17, 19:17; Hebrews 6:10)
E. Ask God to develop the fruit of kindness in your life.

Affirmation:
“I will grow in kindness as I allow the Spirit to inspire my behavior.”

Application:
Do at least one specific act of kindness to someone each day this week.