Sermon Recap
Pastor Justin Kendrick spoke from Romans 12, showing how genuine surrender to Christ creates a new kind of person who, together with others, forms a revolutionary community. From this text, he explained how God is going to heal and transform the world through a new humanity that creates a new community that causes a spiritual movement. In conclusion, he urged listeners to move from spectating to serving, from isolation to interdependence, calling us to embrace our unique role in God's unfolding story of redemption in New England.
Ice Breaker Option: What is one thing that you are passionate about, such as a hobby or activity, and why?
HEAD: Read Romans 12:1-8
- This passage begins with a “therefore” statement. What is the significance of this statement within the context of the passage?
- Paul uses specific language in verses 1 and 2 to help us understand our response to what God has done for us. Identify and explain what Paul is urging believers to do in these verses.
- How does the use of the body as an image for the church help us understand how the church is to function?
- What does this passage teach about how each individual fits within the body?
HEART
A New Humanity
- How does the concept of being a living sacrifice challenge our culture’s emphasis on autonomy? What areas of your life are you still holding back from fully surrendering to God, and what makes that surrender difficult for you?
A New Community
- What is challenging about deep involvement in church community? What fears or hesitations do you have and how might addressing this help you grow?
Spiritual Movement
- What unique gifts and opportunities has God given you to serve as a 'priest' in your daily life, work, church and community? What holds you back from responding to God's purpose for you both in the body and outside the body?
HANDS — Go Deeper Together
“Paul is casting vision for how God plans to heal and transform the world. And really what he's saying is that God is going to heal and transform the world through a new humanity that creates a new community that causes a spiritual movement.”
(Choose one or two practices below)
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1. A New Humanity — Living in View of God’s Mercy
“The key to understanding this text is the little phrase in the beginning. Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, offer yourselves. In other words, to the degree that you can accurately see God's mercy, to that degree you will joyfully, willingly give everything for Christ.”
Reflection:
- As a group, read Romans 12:1 aloud together—twice, slowly.
- After the reading, allow a few minutes of silence for each person to reflect:
- What part of your life currently feels most shaped by autonomy, control, or self-protection?
- Where might God be inviting you into deeper surrender this season?
Personal Response:
- Write down one specific area (for example, a habit, schedule, relationship, or mindset) that you sense God asking you to place on the altar again—not perfectly, but honestly.
- Finish by writing a brief prayer: “God, give me a clearer view of Your mercy. In view of Your mercy, I joyfully and willingly offer You __________.”
Group Option:
- Invite participants to share (as they feel comfortable) one word or phrase that describes what surrender looks like for them right now.
Action Step (Daily Practice):
- Encourage each participant to continue this practice during their daily time with God this week:
- Begin each day by slowly reading Romans 12:1.
- Ask: “Where do I need a clearer view of God’s mercy today?”
- Re-offer the same area to God in prayer, trusting that deeper surrender flows from clearer sight.
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2. New Community — From Isolation to Interdependence
Practice:
Romans 12:4-5 uses the image of a body to describe the church—many parts, deeply connected, each essential.
- As a group, discuss:
- What makes deep involvement in Christian community difficult or risky?
- How have independence, fear, or past hurt shaped the way you relate to the church?
Group Activity:
- On a piece of paper ask each person to write:
- One way they tend to withdraw from community
- One way they could lean in this month (for example, showing up, asking for help, encouraging, serving, praying with others)
Group Option:
- In pairs or small clusters, invite participants to briefly share how they want to move from isolation toward interdependence—and how the group can support them.
- Close with a brief prayer, thanking God that no one is meant to follow Jesus alone.
- Invite participants to connect with another member of the group for continued support as they lean further into community in the days ahead.
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3. Spiritual Movement — From Spectating to Serving
God’s renewal doesn’t stop with us—it moves through us. Romans 12:4-7 reminds us that “you have a gift for this church that no one else can give. It means that you are a part of the body and the body is incomplete without you.”
Reflect together:
- What gifts, passions, or opportunities has God placed in your life right now?
- Where might He be inviting you to serve as a “priest” – representing His love in the everyday space - serving one another so that this church community can thrive or outside the body connecting people to Christ?
Action Step:
- Ask each participant to identify one concrete step they can take this week to use using their gifts to bless others inside or outside the church
- Write it down and complete this sentence: “This week, I will respond to God’s invitation and move from spectating to serving by __________.”
Group Prayer Option:
- Close by praying together: That God would give each courage to step out and that He would use the group as part of his redemptive movement in New England.
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PRAYER
- Pray for deeper surrender as living sacrifices.
- Thank God for the gift of being part of the body of Christ.
- Pray for revival in New England, that we would see New England transformed from the least-churched region in the U.S. to the most spiritually vibrant place on earth.