Summary: When I was in high school, I ran track. I was very competitive and considered myself to be one of the fastest sprinters. However, I cared absolutely nothing about my form. When my coach approached me about my form and about stretching, I told him, “have you ever seen a dog stretch before it chases a mailman?” Needless to say I never came in first place during a track meet.<br> The runner who wins the race is not always the fastest; sometimes it is the runner who has the best form. Form determines overall performance. Like runners, our form is important. Paul has spent much of his letter expounding on the mercies of God and is now asking the Christians in Rome to consider their form in light of those mercies: are they conformed to their surroundings, are they transformed by the Spirit, and are they together for(med) good? This Sunday, we will examine ourselves according to those same questions found in Romans 12.<br> DOWNLOADS<br> SEE IT // BE IT<br> (WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE)<br> Title: Together For(med) Good // Scripture: Romans 12:1-8<br> ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes<br><br> Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also, find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out.<br> SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes<br><br> The runner who wins the race is not always the fastest; sometimes it is the runner who has the best form. Form determines overall performance. Like runners, our form is important. Paul has spent much of his letter expounding on the mercies of God and is now asking the Christians in Rome to consider their form in light of those mercies. Are they conformed to their surroundings, are they transformed by the Spirit, and are they together for(med) good?<br> THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.<br><br> In view of God’s mercy, we offer a bodily sacrifice so we can be present in God’s process of transformation. <br> SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes<br><br> Picture (What is the story saying?): What does God’s mercy mean for Jews living in or returning to Rome? In view of God’s mercy, what is Paul asking them to do? What kinds of cultures formed the Jews and Gentiles living in Rome? What does God offer in exchange for their sacrifice?<br> Mirror (Where am I in the story?): How are you responding to your understanding of God’s mercy? What makes it easy to conform to the world’s patterns? How have you identified your gift or function as a member of the body of Christ? What kinds of things happen when the body of Christ functions with gifts and presence?<br> Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): How has your mind been renewed? What challenges you the most reading Romans 12:1-8? Where is God inviting you to be present to add your gifts?<br> BE IT – Practice Which of these areas is God speaking to you about this week?<br><br> Change UP – Exercise<br><br> You may not be able to sit down at a piano like DJ did as a high schooler to read, pray, and worship, but you can bring your presence to God in some way in keeping with the measure of faith you’ve been given. Set aside some intentional time this week to present yourself to God completely. Remember, He sees it all anyway. Boldly ask for spiritual transformation in areas where you have settled for conforming to worldly patterns.<br> Change IN – Group Activity<br><br> What is keeping you from being fully present in the body of Christ? Read Romans 12:3-8 two or more times. Ask God to show you where you can apply sober judgment in your relationship to the body. Seek to forgive individual members where unmet or misplaced expectations have caused conflict in the functioning of the body.<br> Change OUT – Life Application Assignment<br><br> What challenges you the most about diversity in the body? What challenges you personally about being present w...
