Sermon: “Holy Law, Human Struggle, Heavenly Grace”
Scripture: Romans 7: 4-7a; 14-25
Speaker: Pastor Matt Overman

Scripture for Study and Reflection:

Read Romans 7: 1-25

1. Paul says the law is holy and good, but it still exposes sin (Romans 7: 7-13). How has God’s
law helped you become more aware of sin in your life?

2. Read Galatians 3: 24-25. How does the idea of the law as a “guardian” help us understand its
purpose?

3. Can you think of a time when knowing the right thing didn’t stop you from doing the wrong
thing? Why is that?

4. Paul describes doing what he hates and not doing what he wants (Romans 7: 15-20). How
does this reflect your own experience of the Christian life?

5. Read Philippians 3: 12-14. How does Paul’s attitude here compare to Romans 7?

6. What’s the difference between being honest about our struggle and becoming complacent in
our sin?

7. Read 2 Corinthians 5: 21. What does it mean that Jesus “became sin” for us? How does that
change the way you approach your failures?

8. Read Titus 2: 11-12. How does God’s grace help us live differently than we did before Christ?

9. When you sin now, what does repentance look like in your life? What helps you turn back
toward Christ?

10. Paul uses the metaphor of being “married to Christ” (Romans 7: 4). What does that imagery
tell us about the kind of relationship God wants with us?

11. Read Matthew 6: 24. What “masters” besides Christ sometimes try to claim your allegiance?

12. What kind of spiritual “fruit” do you hope your life is producing? How do you nurture it?

13. What’s one battle you're currently facing in your faith walk that feels like a war between the
Spirit and the flesh?

14. Where do you need to lean into the “already” of your salvation, and where do you need
God’s help with the “not yet”?
Prayer for the week:
Lord Jesus, I confess that I often do what I don’t want to do, and I fall short of the life You’ve called me to live.
Thank You for Your grace that meets me in my weakness and doesn’t leave me there.
Teach me to hunger for righteousness, to hate what is evil, and to cling to what is good. I want to
belong fully to You - to serve You not out of obligation, but from love. Help me to trust that even
in my struggle, You are making me new. I give You the battle this week. Grow good fruit in me.
In Your name I pray, Amen.