BIBLE SCHOOL EDITION – Nathan and Pastor Scott Frerking discuss Romans 5 and how faith in Jesus requires risk, maturity, and endurance. We also share how sin is anything in opposition to our nature or design, that is, living as the image and likeness of God.

— EPISODE CHAPTERS —(00:00) INTRODUCTION(21:42) ROMANS 5.1-11(42:52) ROMANS 5.12-21(1:01:26) ACTIVATION STEPS

— EPISODE LINKS —• Podcast Playlist | Romanshttps://cultivaterelationships.com/romans• Podcast Playlist | Galatianshttps://cultivaterelationships.com/galatians• Podcast Playlist | Forgivenesshttps://cultivaterelationships.com/forgiveness• Bible Toolshttps://cultivaterelationships.com/bible-tools• More Content & Resources At Our Websitehttps://cultivaterelationships.com

— EPISODE NOTES —ROMANS 5.1-11 – FAITH-FILLED SUFFER + RECONCILIATION WITH THE HEAVENLY FATHER = HOPE OF SALVATIONIn this section, they discuss how faith in Jesus requires risk, maturity, and endurance — all brought about by suffering and opposition. They also discuss how Jesus sacrificed himself for our benefit before we wanted to benefit from him. The benefit was that through Jesus’ death, the reconciliation of the relationship with the Father was made possible, and that through his resurrection life, restoration of our human design, and our dependence upon the Holy Spirit were revealed.

APPLICATION QUESTION(S): Think about the times you’ve shown love and forgiveness to someone you deemed undeserving or uninterested. What does this reveal about how you believe God loves and forgives you?

ROMANS 5.12-21 – ADAM V. JESUSIn this section, they discuss how sin is not simply a list of rules (“the Law”). Sin is anything in opposition to our nature or design; that is, living as the image and likeness of God. The Law simply revealed how we were missing the mark. We accept the gift (Jesus) the same way we accept the transgression (Adam): 1) choose to believe → 2) trust in what we believe → 3) actions empowered by what we trust. However, the fruit of these choices is vastly different — either life (Jesus) or death (Adam).

APPLICATION QUESTION(S): When do you find it easier to rely on your own thoughts and conclusions instead of seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance and strength in a situation?

ACTIVATION STEPSTake some time this week to prayerfully work through the following steps in light of Romans 5.1-21:

STEP #1 – IDENTIFY THE SOURCETake a moment to reflect on your daily choices. Are they rooted in an agreement with Adam’s self-reliance or in an agreement with Jesus’ righteousness? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where you might be operating out of fear, self-sufficiency, or wrong beliefs rather than trusting the Holy Spirit.

STEP #2 – SHIFT YOUR TRUSTJust as death entered through a belief in a lie, life comes through belief in the truth. Tell Jesus (out loud) about a specific circumstance where you are struggling. Ask Jesus what his perspective and truth is about that circumstance.

STEP #3 – WALK IN ALIGNMENTAsk the Holy Spirit to give you one intentional action you can take that reflects the truth