1.

Skim through the passage. What do phrases such as, “the sinful nature,” “your sinful nature,” “your sins,” “all our sins,” or “sensual indulgence” tell us about the subject of Paul’s discussion?

2.

Read v. 6.  What does receiving Christ as Lord do for a believer? (John 1:12,13)  What does it mean to live in Him? (John 14:20)  Why is it necessary for a believer to continue to live in Him? (1 John 3:6) 

3.

Read v. 7 and reflect on its meaning based on how the Lord God helped Abraham, a man of faith, to grow in faith as described in Genesis 12-22.  Why is it necessary for one to grow in faith? (Genesis 12:2-4; 2 Cor 3:18)

4.

Read v. 8.  This passage distinguishes between the philosophy that depends on Christ and the philosophy that depends on someone or something else.  Paul describes the latter as “hollow” and “deceptive.”  In what respect is it so (cf. 23)? 

5. 

Read vs. 9-15.  What does this passage tell us about the work which Christ alone can accomplish?  What does this passage teach us about the significance of Jesus’ cross? 

6.

Read vs. 16-19.  Here the word ‘grow’ is repeated twice.  What does it mean for a believer to grow? (Col 1:9-11)  Why is it that one can grow fully only in Christ (19)?  

7.

Read vs. 20-23.  What does “sensual indulgence” mean?  Why is it necessary for it to be restrained?  What does this passage indicate about the ways in which many attempt to restrain it?  Yet, who alone can help us to fully restrain it? (Romans 7:14-25)

** 

Write a Bible testimony about the reasons Paul exhorts each believer to continue to live in the Lord.