Bible Study Notes for 6/17/09 (Romans 7:1-6)

Here are the notes I put together to guide our discussion tonight.  I encourage you to print them out and think about them.  There is a lot of good material here that can direct you to major changes in your life if you allow it to sink in.

1. What is the Law and why were we bound to it?
2. Why are we released from the Law? – To what end? (V4)
3. What is the fruit talked about in Vs 4 and 5?
   1. Gal 5:22-23
   2. Eph 5:9
4. Why is fruit such a big deal? (1 Cor 9:25)
5. Who is it that produces this fruit in your life?
6. What about the fruit of producing believers in Jesus?
   1. Luke 10:2 (harvest of souls)
7. Are you seeing the people around you come to know Jesus? If not, why?
   1. Is this fruit visible to all in your life?
   2. Are you sharing the gospel?
      1. Hear and understand (Col 1:6)
      2. Do you understand and are you sharing the message of Jesus’ wonderful Grace?
8. Who can you get the fruits of the spirit in your life?
   1. John 15:1-17 (abide in me)
   2. What does abide mean? (remain in, rest)
   3. How do you remain in or rest in Jesus?
      1. His words (V7)
      2. His love (V9, 12)
      3. Obedience (V10, 14)
         1. Information + obedience  = transformation
      4. Joy (V11)
   4. Fellowship with God and other Christians
9. There are 2 enemies of abiding in Jesus, business and laziness.  Which one do you struggle with most?
   1. Plate – How much can you can handle?
   2. Priorities – What are yours? Write them down.
   3. Pruning – What do you need to decrease in your life?
10. Which type of soil are you right now? (Matt 13:1-9, 18-23)
    1. Concrete – seed of gospel has no effect
    2. Shallow soil – shoot up quickly and then fall away
    3. Weedy – Gospel takes root but concerns, hardships, and distractions of the world choke out growth.
    4. Good soil – bear much fruit and many come to know Jesus by your testimony
11. What actions do you need to take to become the 4^th type of soil, good soil?