Through Faith, For Faith 7th Sunday of Easter

Romans 6:1-14

Connecting Questions

· What’s a funeral was memorable for you? Why?

· Do you have a favorite place to walk? Where and why?

Prayer for Illumination

Let us pray, Loving God, we pause today grateful for this next breath. We are grateful for the chance to connect with others today no matter how simple the experience. Open your Word to us. Open our hearts to let your word speak to us and change our lives. We pray in the name of the Risen Jesus, Amen.

Context

This Sunday is the 7th Sunday of the Easter season, and we are continuing our series on the book of Romans. Through Faith for Faith is about remembering that all verbs of faith truly belong to God. God forgives; God creates faith. God empowers; God gifts you to work for justice and peace. Take a moment and Google the song Even unto Death by Audrey Assad. Close your eyes and pay attention to your breathing. What lyric stands out in this song?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rtw7PvlEdvM

Don’t miss Pastor Kevin’s sermon in the series. He gives some helpful windows into Romans and his sermon can be found at Easter.org/worship. Last week, the Easter Choirs and bells presented a beautiful spring worship experience. It is also archived on the Easter YouTube channel.

From EntertheBible.org, a summary of Justification by faith

This theme is probably the first that comes to mind for many when they think of Romans (and the same is true of Paul’s letter to the Galatians). It is a major theme, emphasized strongly at Romans 3:21-26, 28, 30; 5:1. All of chapter 4 is about justification by faith in the case of Abraham and the implications that flow from it for those who share the faith of Abraham. Justification by faith means that one is justified (set in a right relationship) with God purely on the basis of one’s trust (or faith) in the promises of God, and not by efforts known as doing the works of the law.

Look at the Book

Read Romans 6:1-14
This passage starts with two questions. What is Paul asking?
Sin and grace are Paul’s way to describe things that separate us from God and God’s desire to bring things together—even if undeserved. Write down and share things that you see today that are separating us from God and one another.
The Surgeon General just issued a health warning about the latest epidemic facing our country: loneliness. Why do you think the surgeon general needed to issue such a statement?
Loneliness, we learned during the pandemic, strained our mental health and thus our overall health. Loneliness can shorten our lives. Yet, verses 3-5 issue a stunning promise and rebuke to loneliness. What is it?
Romans 6:3-5 are often used as the opening of the funeral liturgy in the Lutheran tradition. What is the “pattern” that we are being invited into in our baptism?
“Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ will come again,” has sometimes been called the mystery of our faith. Yet, we share in that same hope because we are connected to Jesus. Why might this be good news for someone who is lonely?
Write down the name of someone you think might be experiencing loneliness in their lives. Pause and pray for them asking God to show God’s promised presence to this person.
Part of this Easter promise from Romans 6 is that we might “walk in newness of life.” What do you think that means?
Martin Luther said, a Christian life is nothing else than a daily baptism, begun once and continuing ever after. For we must keep at it without ceasing, always purging whatever pertains to the old Adam, so that whatever belongs to the new creature may come forth. We can’t be baptized every day; what do you think Luther means?
Underline verses 9-11. How is this good news for a world dying of loneliness? How is this good news for you? Google the hymn ELW 449 “We Know That Christ Is Raised,” and listen to the lyrics based on these verses.
What do you want to talk about that has not been brought up yet?

Taking it Home

· Who is one person you can call to check on this week?

· Walking is newness of life is happening all around us this Spring. How is creation sharing in this good news around you?

Grow Guide | May 21, 2023