December 9, 2011 A NEW ALLEGIANCE, A NEW OBEDIENCE Romans 6:12-14   QUESTIONS FOR THOUGHT AND DISCUSSION How did Pastor Cam distinguish between the definitions of “justification” and “sanctification” in the message? Based on these definitions and if Romans 4:5 is true (“God justifies the wicked”) how would you answer the question: Does the doctrine of justification by faith make sanctification unnecessary? Think of a situation in history (or current events!) in which an old ruler has been deposed and a nation must now reckon with the new reality of a new ruler. What analogies can we draw from these situations that might help us understand what Paul is calling for in Romans 6:12-14? Why is “reckoning” an important part of this process? Pastor Cam used the hand and tongue as examples of body “members” that can be either instruments of wickedness or instruments of righteousness. Pick some other parts of the human body and use your imaginations to picture them in either a negative or positive role. In the message we discover that the verb form in the second part of verse 13 (“Offer yourselves to God..”) suggests one time, urgent action. Why do you think Paul uses this tense rather than one that requires every day, on-going, continuous action? What implications can you draw from your discussion? Spend a time of prayer together reflecting on what you have learned in Romans 6:12-14.