(UPCOMING MESSAGE) (Romans Series-19) Slaves to Righteousness...Because of the Free Gift of God

SLAVES TO RIGHTEOUSNESS…BECAUSE OF THE FREE GIFT OF GOD

Romans 6:15-23 (ESV Bible)

Key Verse: 6:19c, "so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification."

• In Paul’s Roman world, slavery was a literal reality for about a third of the population. He uses this stark imagery not to endorse oppression but to make a powerful spiritual point about our lives.

1. What does it mean to be “under grace” instead of “under law,” and why would anyone think this allows us to sin (14–15)? Ultimately, what are our only two options (16)? What does this imply about human freedom?
2. What can we learn from the Roman Christians’ initial response to the grace of Jesus (17–18)? Why does Paul remind them of this? What is “the standard of teaching” (cf. Rom 3:21–25a) we all need to obey from our hearts?
3. How does Paul explain his way of speaking (19a), and what does he mean? How does he describe “slavery” to sin and what it leads to (19b)? Why do we all need to be reminded of this?
4. Read verse 19c. “Under” the grace of Jesus (14–15), what does it mean to live as “slaves to righteousness,” and how is it different from legalism? Why does he repeat “present your members” (13,19)? In light of this, what one specific step or change do you think you should make in your daily life?
5. Note where Paul repeats the words “leads” and “leading”; why does he do so? What do the words “righteousness” and “sanctification” mean, and how do they define us and give us direction?
6. What do we learn from looking back at our slavery to sin (20–21)? From looking forward to the fruit of sanctification and the free gift of eternal life (22–23)? After his challenge to live as “slaves to righteousness,” why do you think Paul ends with verse 23?