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

READ: Romans 2:1-16. Invite different group members to read the passage 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 – How do you tend to interpret God’s silence or lack of immediate action in your life? Do you see it more as distance from you, or as His patience and kindness toward you? Explain your answer.

Q2 – Can you think of a season when God felt silent, but you can now see His patience or purpose more clearly?

Q3 – In what ways do you find yourself trying to prove yourself to God through works? What does that look like in your life (at work, home, in relationships, or even in your spiritual life)? How can you tell when obedience is flowing from love for God versus an attempt to earn His approval?

Q4 – Read Hebrews 4:13. Is there any part of your story (your past, thoughts, struggles, or motivations) that you are tempted to believe God doesn't see? Consider sharing with the group.

Q5 – If so, what makes you want to hide that part of yourself from Him? What would change if you genuinely believed that God already knows it all and still invites you to come to Him?

Q6 – Like David’s example of the presidential pardon, forgiveness is something we have to choose to receive. Is there something from your past that you intellectually believe God has forgiven, but emotionally struggle to receive His grace for?

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 4 — Joshua 9-13

Oct 5 — Joshua 14-18

Oct 6 — Joshua 19-23

Oct 7 — Joshua 24-Judges 4

Oct 8 — Judges 5-9

Oct 9 — Judges 10-14

Oct 10 — Judges 15-19

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.

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