PRAY: Spend two minutes in silent prayer. After two minutes, have someone pray for your time together as a group.

READ: Romans 3:1-20, Psalm 51:1-12. Invite different group members to read the passage(s) out loud, two or three times. Each time, use a different Bible translation to allow for the Spirit to highlight key points through different wordings and sentence structures.

Q1 – Romans 3 makes it clear that no one can claim righteousness before God on their own merit. Why is it so easy to recognize the sin of others while overlooking our own? How should our shared need for God's grace shape the way we see and treat one another?

Q2 – Sin affects more than our actions; it shapes our minds, motives, desires, words, relationships, and even our view of God. Which of these areas do you think is easiest for us to overlook, individually or as a church? Why?

Q3 – Even as we grow in our relationship with Jesus, the desires of our old self can arise within us. Why do you think certain things can be difficult to let go of, and how can this community encourage one another to keep pursuing a transformed heart like the one David prays for in Psalm 51?

Q4 – Recognizing our sin should draw us toward Jesus rather than push us away from Him. Why do we sometimes respond to our sin by hiding, making excuses, or becoming defensive instead of turning to God? What helps us respond with honest repentance and humility?

Q5 – What would it look like for our community to become a place where we can acknowledge our struggles and blind spots without fear of condemnation, while still challenging one another toward growth? What makes that kind of community difficult to build?

Q6 – Is there an area of your life where fear has made it difficult to be honest or ask for help? What would it look like to take a step toward bringing that area into the light, whether through prayer, confession, or inviting someone you trust to walk alongside you toward healing and freedom?

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE READING:

Each week, we will include Scripture readings that are meant to help you read through the Bible in one year. See this week’s Scripture readings below:

Oct 18 — 1 Samuel 30–31; 2 Samuel 1–3

Oct 19 — 2 Samuel 4–8  

Oct 20 — 2 Samuel 9–13

Oct 21 — 2 Samuel 14–18

Oct 22 — 2 Samuel 19–23   

Oct 23 — 2 Samuel 24; 1 Kings 1–4

Oct 24 — 1 Kings 5–9

Take time to sit with the Scriptures, return to them daily, and let them shape your prayers, questions, and conversations this week.

CHALLENGE - SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION

By the end of the ROMANS series, memorize Romans 12. Break the chapter into sections and spend a few minutes each day reading each day's verses ten times, writing each day’s verses ten times, and repeating the verses until you can say them without looking. At the end of each week, see how much you can recite from memory.

The Method: Simplicity + Consistency

1. Read out loud: Choose one verse and read it out loud 7–10 times. Pay attention to each word and let the truth of each passage sink in.

2. Say it from memory: Cover the verse and try to recite it out loud 7–10 times without looking. Even if you stumble, go for at least 7 times before looking again.

3. Repeat, repeat, repeat: Come back to the verse and repeat it multiple times throughout the day. Make it a habit: Use restroom trips, solo car rides, lunch breaks, or any time you'd normally be doomscrolling to repeat the verse.

4. Add another scripture: Each day, say all the verses you’ve memorized so far. Keep adding one new verse using this same method to build on the verses before it.

As you memorize, ask the Lord to show you how these words are meant to shape the way you live, worship, and love others.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:

●  Please click HERE to view the Romans series Resource Page to access links to sermons, books, and video resources.

●  For topical resources, click HERE to access the ACC Resource Library.