Acceptance: We Accept Each Other

Sermon Series: Acceptance

Message 2: We Accept Each Other

June 27, 2021

Lombard Bible Church

Romans 15:5-7

“Don’t fight to be right, fight to ”

Accept one another means … stop (Romans 14:1)

Accept one another means … start (Romans 14:10-13)

Accept one another means … offer (Galatians 6:1) 

Romans 15:7 – “Accept one another then, just as accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS (In preparation as a leader, read Romans chapters 14 through 15)

1. Have you ever thought or believed something for years that ended up not being correct? How did you find out you were wrong? Share your story. Extra points for hilarity. 
2. Just like we sometimes get things wrong, so did Christians in the early church. But even though family in Christ can get things wrong a lot, the Apostle Paul still encourages the church to accept one another. Read Romans 15:5-7. What did you hear from the Scripture or the message this past Sunday? 
3. Why do you think the Apostle Paul encourages the church to accept each other & stop fighting each other (Romans 14:1)? Are there issues worth fighting about within the church? How do we know when we should fight for something versus when we should just accept one another?
4. When the Apostle Paul encourages the church to “accept one another,” it means to take an active role in receiving & welcoming people into fellowship.  Are you active at accepting people? How so/how not? Why? 
5. Pastor Justin said that part of accepting one another means we offer restoration (Galatians 6:1). With a show of hands, have you ever felt like you had disunity with a brother or sister in Christ? How does God want us to offer restoration for believers who have sinned, maybe even sinned against us? (Need help? Check out Matthew 18:15-17 & Galatians 6:1). Take a minute to consider if there is a fellow Christian in church who you are not united with. Write down their name & pray for God’s direction on what you should do.  
6. Read Romans 15:7. In what ways has Jesus accepted you? (Think of as many ways as you can). How can we show people in church that same acceptance? 
7. Pair up. Pray for each other.