1.         SERMON RECAP

(Visit  pmc.org.sg  to listen to the sermon and download a copy of the Powerpoint slides)

Outline of Romans 9

·         Paul’s Anguish (v1-5)

·         Why Israel rejected Christ (v6-13)

·         Moses & Pharaoh (v14-18)

·         God’s Sovereignty (v19-24)

·         Israel’s Future (v25-29)

·         Crux of Problem: Faith (v30-33)

“But it is not that the word of God has taken no effect.  For they are not all Israel who are of Israel”  (Rom. 9:6)

2.         LIVE IT OUT

a.       According to the preacher, the symptoms of a hardened heart are:

Playing with sin                                 (     )

Cynical/Critical spirit                        (     )

Unforgiving spirit                              (     )

Ignoring the poor & needy              (     )

Stinginess                                           (     )

> Reflect and see if any of these symptoms are evident in your life.  You may want to put a number between 0 (non-existence) to 5 (serious) beside the list above.

> Spend some time in silent prayer.  Ask God to reveal to you the root causes of hardening in your heart. 

> If your group has grown in maturity and authenticity, you should be able to share your evaluation with each other.  [Remember: Share, and do not judge one another.]

> Close by praying for each other, that God will give us a heart of flesh (Ezekiel 36:26), and enable us to submit to His ways.

b.      This week, do something that will reveal God’s heart in your life, i.e. something Holy, Gracious, Forgiving, Compassionate, or Generous. 

> Tell your group member what you intend to do, so that he/she can keep you accountable.

3.         PRAY

Please refer to the PMC Mobile App, “MyPMC”, for our weekly prayer guide.  [Click on “PRAY”, then “Let’s Pray”]

4.         GOING DEEPER

a.       Consider the passage below:

“You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault?

For who has resisted His will?”  

But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God?

Will the thing formed say to him who formed it,

“Why have you made me like this?”

Does not the potter have power over the clay,

from the same lump to make one vessel for honor

and another for dishonor?” 

(Romans 9:19-21)

Do you think it is fair for God to make some vessels “for dishonour”?  Why or why not?

> How do we reconcile the tension between God’s will, and man’s free choice?