• Read Romans 12:3-8

Consider the following questions:

• Have you seen it work out in practice that all the members of the body actually belong to each other? What does this mean in real life?
• Thinking realistically (or with sober judgment), what gifts have you been given by the Holy Spirit to be a blessing to the body?
• How are you using those gifts today? How could you see yourself using them in the future?

WEEK 1 • MEMORY VERSE • ROMANS 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

• Read Romans 12:1-2

The word sacrifice is defined as: an act of slaughtering an animal or person or surrendering a possession as an offering to God or to a divine or supernatural figure.

Paul, in these first verses, asks us to be living sacrifices.

Consider the following questions:

• What do you think it looks like, practically in your life, for you to offer your body as a living sacrifice?
• How is this worship?
• How would you describe to someone “the pattern of this world?”
• How can a person resist the world’s pattern and be transformed with a renewed mind?
• What practices help you to renew your mind?

Today, check out the video for the remainder of Romans and then tomorrow we will begin to read.

Overview: Romans Ch. 5-16

• On a separate piece of paper, jot down some of your main thoughts or “take homes” from these chapters.

WEEK 1 • MEMORY VERSE • ROMANS 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

OK, to catch us back up, we are going to take today and tomorrow to get back into what actually happened in the first 11 chapters of Romans. Here is the first video from our friends at the BibleProject:

Overview: Romans Chapters 1-4

• On a separate piece of paper, write out several “take homes” from these four chapters as you are watching.

WEEK 1 • MEMORY VERSE • ROMANS 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

We’ve walked through the season of Advent and the days of Christmastide. We find ourselves in the season of Epiphany: discovery.

Spend this sabbath morning resting with the Father. Ask Him to give you joyful discovery in these coming weeks as you journey on with Him.

Hi, my name is Shawn and I have been an elder at Riverside for a few years since City Chapel and Riverside merged. A fun fact about me is that I am restoring a ’52 Studebaker truck. I am on the 5 year plan, so don’t ask me if it is done until 2025.

The passage you are going to read today is Revelation 19:11-21.

We have been through the Christmas season, and I am sure you have seen many depictions of the baby Jesus. That can be how many people like to think of Jesus:

“Holy infant so tender and mild”

“But little Lord Jesus no crying He makes”

But here we have a very different picture. The King of kings returning at the head of an army and eating the flesh of his enemies. This is not some namby-pamby Jesus who just wants everyone to be happy.

Some things to consider:

• Verse 15 says “He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.” Jesus is the one working out the fury of the wrath of God. Does this offend your view of Jesus?

• How do you reconcile these two depictions of Jesus? Jesus did come into this world as a baby in a stable. And He is coming back with a sword as depicted in Revelation. Both true.

• Which side are you on in this final battle depicted in Revelation? There only appears to be two sides, no middle ground.

Hello, this is Shelley! I have been married to Keith for 19 years and spend most of my time keeping track of our 5 kids (Tommy, Hunter, Joseph, Ben and Anna). I have loved being a part of Riverside and am excited to share with you today.

Today we are looking at Luke 2: 21- 40.

The passage starts off with Mary and Joseph presenting Jesus at the temple to be circumcised.

We then quickly have two new characters show up-Simeon and Anna. I often think of the words that Luke uses to describe Simeon and Anna. Some words used to describe them are righteous and devout, worshipful and prayerful. The Message version described Simeon as “a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel.”

Wow. These are powerful words to describe someone. Simeon was waiting and trusting that the Lord would show up. Someone like Simeon is just at the tail end of the 400 years of silence in scripture. The gap between writing in the Old Testament and Jesus showing up on earth is over 400 years. But here was Simeon, living in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. You then read his prayer and read his continued words of prophecy of this little baby.

And then Anna-an older, widowed woman who was in the temple day and night, fasting and praying and worshiping the Lord. For year after year after year. Once she saw Jesus, she felt the need to share with everyone about his coming and how he was fulfilling the promise of a savior of their people.

I am challenged by both of their reactions to Jesus, and their consistency of character as they waited for the coming of Christ. They both immediately recognize him as the one who has been prophesied which means they had to KNOW the prophecy. They had to know their Hebrew Bible. They had to be communicating with God and listening to his voice. Also, their character is recognized by the author and their community. They were known as people who loved God, worshiped God and walked in his ways.

I know this is something I want in my life and I would hope that all of us would strive for. That we would hide God’s word in our hearts, that we would take the Lord at his word and that we would not be afraid to shout with joy that we too have experienced Jesus and all that he has done for us.

• What are ways that you are daily pursuing the Lord? Do you have a plan for what this looks like?

• Pick one verse to work on memorizing this week.

• If you know someone who is a Simeon or an Anna in your life, take time to encourage them. Take time to ask them what their walk with Jesus looks like.