A Living Sacrifice

A Living Sacrifice

Psalms 22 and Romans 12:1

By THE Richard Smith

Take Home Truth:  God Helps the Powerless – God gives mercy to those who need it most.

Christ-Connection: Never stop thinking about Christ’s sacrifice.

Hook:  

1. How has someone sacrificed for you that made an impact on your life?

Engage:  

2.  Read Psalms 22 and Romans 12:1 – What did you observe in these passages? 

Reflect:  

3.  Psalms 22:1-9 – Like David, have there been times in your life that you have felt distance or forsaken by God? How has life disoriented you from your focus on God, and in what ways does this passage redirect you?
4. Psalms 22:14-18 – David speaks prophetically, inspired by the Holy Spirit, of Christ’s suffering on the cross. How can this description grow your understanding of His sacrifice?

Respond

6. Romans 12:1 provides a call to action, or a commandment, to live out our lives as a living and holy sacrifice. What have you deprived yourself of so that you can please and serve God?
7. Below the painting that Richard mentioned, this quote was displayed, “All this I have done for you…what will you do for me?” How does this challenge you? What does it look like to make sacrifices for God based on His Mercy rather than out of habit/tradition?