Good News for Our Broken World

Ever feel like the world is one big road jam—everyone blaming everyone else, but nothing really changes? This week we begin a series called The Road, a journey through an ancient Christian letter written to a diverse community of people from different backgrounds who shared humanity’s core problem: a kind of inner breakdown that bends us away from God and each other. The good news is that we’re not left stranded on the shoulder. God offers kindness, forgiveness, and a fresh start on our journey of faith! Watch Full Service Discussion Guide To view a .docx of this guide, click here. Before we begin, let’s take a quiet moment and pray for God’s direction of our time together. Then we’ll take a couple of minutes to go around and share where we’ve seen God at work in our lives this week.  Introduction  Last week was Good Friday and Easter, when we reflect on and celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. Our main idea from Easter was We can begin a new life because Jesus is alive. How did you experience new life last week?   This week, we begin a new series called The Road, exploring the book of Romans. Romans was a letter written by one of Christianity’s first missionaries, named Paul. It was written to a diverse group of people who were struggling with their differences in culture, background, and beliefs. Paul reminds them that before we talk about our differences, we share something deeper in common: the brokenness of the world and our need for God’s grace.  Connect  Is there something in your life that you commonly try to fix on your own without asking for help?  When you look at the world today, what kinds of brokenness stand out to you most?  Opening  Most of us instinctively compare ourselves to others. We notice the ways other people fall short while assuming we’re doing relatively well, or we think we are so much worse off than others. But the message of Romans is different. Instead of dividing humanity into “good people” and “bad people,” Paul says something surprising: we are all facing the same spiritual breakdown. Every person needs God’s mercy. The good news is that God does not abandon us in our brokenness. Through Jesus, God offers forgiveness, transformation, and a new road forward. This leads us to our Main Idea for the week:  When we get stuck in life, we can start again with God and with each other.  Unpack   Read each set of verses out loud as a group, making observations as you go. Afterward discuss each of the connected questions before moving to the next set of verses.  Read  Romans 3:21–24  In this passage, Paul explains that although all people fall short of God’s standards, God offers a new way of being made right through Jesus.  What words describe what God has done for humanity?  What stands out to you about the idea of grace being a gift?  How does this message challenge the idea that we can earn our way to God?  Read  Psalm 14:1–3  In the passage, the psalmist describes humanity’s tendency to turn away from God and pursue its own path.  What words or phrases describe the human condition in this passage?  What does this passage suggest about the universality of human brokenness?  Why do you think people often resist acknowledging their need for God?  Read  Mark 2:16–17  In this passage, religious leaders question why Jesus spends time with people considered sinful or morally broken.  How does Jesus explain sin here, and how might that help people understand it today?  Why might it be difficult for people to admit they need spiritual healing?  What difference does it make that Jesus comes toward broken people instead of avoiding them?  Action Steps  This is where we take what we’ve discussed and put it into practice! Read the action steps below and discuss how you can live them out this week in practical ways.  1. Reflect on God’s kindness in your life. Paul teaches that it is God’s kindness that causes us to turn our lives around toward him (Romans 2:4). Where have you experienced God’s goodness or grace recently?  2. Humbly name one area of brokenness or sin in your life and be open to God’s repair. Bring it honestly before God in prayer, ask for his help, and take practical steps to make a change with God’s help.  As you think about these steps, what will you commit to this week? Share with the group to encourage and pray for one another.  Closing  The message of Romans begins with a truth that can feel uncomfortable: none of us have it all together. But it also begins with hope. God sees our brokenness and responds not with rejection, but with mercy. Because of Jesus, we are not stuck where we are. A new road is open to us, a journey marked by grace, transformation, and life with God.  Pray Together  As we wrap up, we’ll go around and invite anyone to share anything they’d like prayer for together. You can share or just pass. Below is also a Journey of Faith Missionary we can pray for as we close.  Missionary Focus  L and K Humble  **For some of our missionaries, certain details are kept private to protect their safety and the sensitive nature of their work. Thank you for understanding as we share what we can.   L and K Humble are working to start churches among ten large, unreached, and unengaged people groups in Southeast Asia.  Prayer Requests:   That L and K would continue to see success in their partnerships with local people and businesses    For God to bring them strong team members to serve alongside  Spend a few minutes in prayer for L and K  Reflection Verse for the Week  *Read this verse, then encourage the practice of reflection and memorization throughout the week.  Romans 1:16  “For I am not ashamed of the Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes.”  **When practiced consistently, memorizing Bible verses can be an important spiritual practice that centers your mind around the truth that God has given us.  Daily Devotional Verses  Use the “Discovery Method” to reflect on the verses below.  For each passage of Scripture, ask yourself these questions:    What do these verses reveal about who God is?   What do these verses reveal about us/others?   What do these verses invite or inspire you to think, feel, or do?   Day 1: Genesis 3:8–10 Day 2: Psalm 103:8–12 Day 3: Isaiah 53:5–6 Day 4: Luke 15:20–24 Day 5: Ephesians 2:8–9 Day 6: 1 John 1:8–9  The post Good News for Our Broken World  appeared first on Journey of Faith.