We were the only two in line, strangers waiting for the pharmacy to reopen. It took her little or no time to begin to openly share her story with me. As she spoke about her journey through illness and healing, her hands told the story as much as her words.
She gently touched her head, right where the tumor had been, explaining how peace first entered her life—something she grasped intellectually after the surgery, as she processed what she had been through.
Then, she placed her hand over her heart, describing how that peace deepened, becoming something she could feel more fully.
But it was when she placed both hands on her stomach that her voice softened, and she said, “But now, I know it here.” This was peace she carried in her gut, a knowing that had grown through suffering, endurance, and the long journey now behind her. And she couldn’t keep it to herself—the peace had become too real, too profound, not to share.
Her testimony brought to life the very words of Paul in Romans 5. He speaks of suffering producing endurance, endurance shaping character, and character leading to a hope that does not disappoint. There are no platitudes here—no quick fix for pain. Paul is sharing the journey that he, and so many others, have walked: through suffering, into endurance, and into a hope that transforms us from the inside out. This is not about earning anything—it’s about receiving the grace of God, who walks with us and delivers us through every trial. God is with us every step of the way.
As we sang together at the end of last Sunday’s sermon,
“Through many dangers, toils and snares, I have already come;’Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, And grace will lead me home.”
The suffering we endure becomes the very path through which God leads us into hope. This journey isn’t about mere survival—it’s about discovering a peace so deep, a hope so life-altering, that we are never the same.
*Atrium Roofing Project Update Due to safety concerns voiced by the scaffolding company and our desire to avoid risk of interference with our duty as a voting precinct for the upcoming elections, the atrium roofing project is delayed. We do not have a definite start date currently. We will coordinate with Chandler Construction to also avoid any overlap with the scheduled elevator project timeline of November 7-21, 2024. Other details remain the same:
The elevator will be available during this project.Overhead protection will be in place.
When work begins, we anticipate a three-week project timeline
The atrium stairwell will be blocked off from use. Users of the facility will be asked to use another entrance if possible.
Signage will be present to help direct users to the elevator or to another entrance.
There will be a dumpster at the Meadow Street/alley corner location, protected by plywood and with signage.This will prevent interruption of alley use.
*Elevator Control Panel Replacement Project Please mark your calendars now—this project requires that our elevator is out of service for two weeks. This work is scheduled for November 7-November 21, waiting until after the Presidential election to be sure that there is no interference for that commitment.
The B&G Committee, pastoral staff, and Administrative Board are making every effort to communicate this information to all building users. We are researching options for how we can best serve our building community during this project time frame. More details will be provided as we get near the start of the work. Please keep reading the TAB for updates.
We sincerely appreciate your understanding as we manage these two important improvement projects.Please direct any questions you may have regarding these building initiatives, or any other suggestions regarding our facilities, to Donna Soyars at soundsidedfs@gmail.com.
1. Facing Resistance: Reflecting on Our Discomfort
The pastor acknowledged his initial resistance to Paul’s teachings, especially the perception of Paul’s arrogance. This resistance is something we often experience when faced with uncomfortable truths that reveal our own vulnerabilities. Paul’s writings, especially in Romans, challenge us to embrace grace over pride, and to let go of the need to control or judge. It is in releasing our resistance that we find transformation.
Quotes:
“God’s grace is not a gift we can earn by being strong; it is a gift we receive by admitting our weakness.” — From the sermon
“The arrogance that pushes back against grace is the same arrogance that resists transformation. The sooner we surrender it, the sooner God can work in us.” — Paraphrased from the sermon
Reflection Questions:
When have you resisted a difficult truth in your spiritual journey, and what did that resistance reveal about your own need for control or comfort?
How does embracing the reality of God’s grace change your view of Paul’s teachings and how you relate to others?
2. Suffering as a Path to Growth
Paul teaches that suffering is not a curse but a pathway to growth and transformation. As Paul writes in Romans 5:3-4, “suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” This chain reaction is how God shapes us through hardship. Instead of seeing suffering as something to avoid, Paul invites us to see it as an opportunity to grow deeper in our faith and trust in God’s love.
Quotes:
“We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next.” — The Message paraphrase of Romans 5:3-4
“Endurance is not just the ability to bear a hard thing, but to turn it into glory.” — William Barclay
Reflection Questions:
How do you typically respond to suffering—do you avoid it or embrace it as part of the journey?
Can you think of a time when suffering produced growth or deepened your hope in God?
3. God’s Presence in Suffering
One of the key themes of the sermon is that God is not distant or uninvolved in our suffering but walks alongside us through it. Paul understood this deeply, having endured great personal suffering. His message is that God doesn’t cause suffering, but God is present within it. This reframes how we view hardship—not as something to escape but as a place where we can encounter God’s love most powerfully.
Quotes:
“God is most present in our suffering, not to fix it, but to walk with us through it. It’s in those moments that we find the deepest sense of God’s grace.” — From the sermon
“Hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” — Romans 5:5, NRSV
Reflection Questions:
How has your understanding of God’s presence during suffering changed over time?
When have you felt God’s closeness during a difficult season in your life?
4. Justification: Being Grounded in God’s Grace
Justification, as explained in the sermon, is about God “putting us in our place”—not to humiliate or punish, but to ground us in grace. Whether we find ourselves feeling superior or inferior, justification reminds us that we all stand equal before God, with our feet firmly planted on the same ground of grace. Paul’s message is clear: we are all recipients of God’s love, and that levels the playing field.
Quotes:
“Justification is God putting us in our place—firmly on the ground, not hovering above others or sinking below. We all stand equal in God’s grace.” — From the sermon
“It’s not about what we do; it’s about what God has done for us.” — Paraphrased from the sermon
Reflection Questions:
Where do you feel ungrounded or out of balance in your life? How might God be calling you to find your footing in grace?
How does seeing yourself and others through the lens of God’s grace change your interactions with others?
5. Endurance Leading to Hope
The sermon emphasizes that endurance isn’t just about getting through hardship, but about being transformed by it. Paul teaches that through endurance, our character is refined, and that character leads to a hope that will not disappoint us. This hope is rooted in God’s love—a love that doesn’t falter in the face of suffering, but is strengthened by it. Endurance, then, becomes a spiritual practice, not just a survival tactic.
Quotes:
“Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope. And hope does not disappoint us.” — Romans 5:3-5, NRSV
“Hope is not a feeling; it is a decision to trust in God’s love, even when we cannot see the way forward.” — From the sermon
Reflection Questions:
Where in your life do you need to cultivate more patience and endurance? How can you lean into the process of growth even when it feels slow?
How has God shaped your character through the challenges you’ve faced? How does that give you hope?
6. Peace Beyond Understanding
The peace Paul speaks of in Romans 5:1 isn’t just the absence of conflict—it’s a profound sense of reconciliation with God, a peace that permeates our entire being. This peace, described in the Greek word eirene, points to a state of wholeness and restoration that goes beyond what we can intellectually understand. It’s the kind of peace that, as the woman in the pastor’s story described, resides “in the gut” and transforms our outlook on life.
Quotes:
“By entering through faith into what God has always wanted to do for us—set us right with him, make us fit for him—we have it all together with God because of our Master Jesus. And that’s not all: We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us.” — Romans 5:1-2, The Message
“Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of God in the midst of chaos.” — Paraphrased from the sermon
Reflection Questions:
How have you experienced a deep, lasting peace in your life, one that goes beyond mere calm or absence of stress?
What steps can you take to seek a deeper peace in your relationship with God and others?
7. The Pharmacy Story: A Journey from the Head to the Gut
In the pharmacy, the woman’s story reflects a powerful journey of healing—one that moves from the intellectual understanding of suffering to a deeper, more embodied peace. She begins by touching her head, the site of her tumor, acknowledging where her suffering began. Then she speaks of the peace she felt in her heart—a peace that came after surgery and recovery. But months later, her description of peace had moved even deeper, down to her gut. This profound shift symbolizes more than just healing from illness—it reflects a deep, embodied understanding of God’s peace, beyond emotion, rooted in lived experience.
This story beautifully parallels the movement of faith from intellectual belief to heartfelt trust and finally to an embodied knowing that transcends mere feeling. The woman’s peace in her gut, as the pastor describes, is akin to the peace that Paul speaks of in Romans 5:1-5, a peace that results from enduring suffering and growing in hope.
Quotes:
“I had this understanding in my life of what it meant to have the good life and kind of this peace. It was right here in my heart. But now I’m discovering this peace that is here, in my gut.” — From the sermon
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” — John 14:27, NIV
This deeper, gut-level peace is not just an emotional state; it is a knowing that transcends intellectual understanding and reaches the core of our being. It is the kind of peace that comes after we have walked through suffering and emerged with a renewed sense of God’s presence.
Reflection Questions:
The woman’s journey from head to heart to gut represents a deepening of her understanding of peace. How does this progression resonate with your own experience of peace?
Have you ever moved from understanding something intellectually to knowing it deep within your being? How did that shift change your outlook or your faith?
What does it mean to you to have peace in your “gut”—a peace that goes beyond mere feelings or thoughts and becomes something you embody in your daily life?
Paul’s letter to the Romans reminds us that we don’t “set things right” by our actions—God does it for us through grace. In the sermon, you mentioned how “God isn’t waiting for us to get things right. He already took care of that on the cross.”
Question: How does it feel to know that God’s grace comes as a gift and isn’t something we have to earn? Can you think of times when you’ve tried to earn God’s love, only to realize it was already yours?
2. Walking at a Human Pace
You talked about how Jesus walked at a human pace—about 2-3 miles per hour. Not in a rush, but always moving forward in grace. You said, “Discipleship happens one step at a time. We’re walking with Jesus, not running a race.”
Question: Are there moments in your life when you’ve felt the need to slow down and walk more closely with Jesus? How might walking at “God’s pace” change how we approach our faith?
3. Temptation to Climb Higher Ground
In the sermon, you mentioned how easy it is to think we’ve made it to higher ground spiritually. You said, “We think we’re walking with God, but sometimes all we’re doing is climbing up to a pedestal.” This can lead to a sense of superiority or separation from others.
Question: Have you ever found yourself feeling spiritually “above” others, even unintentionally? How can we guard against slipping into self-righteousness in our daily walk with God?
4. Feet on the Ground, Not on a Pedestal
You shared that God wants us to have our feet on the ground—not up on a pedestal, but also not buried in the dirt of shame. “God is always putting us back in our place—not to knock us down, but to walk with us back home.”
Question: What does it mean to have our “feet on the ground” spiritually? How can this help us stay humble while also accepting God’s love and grace?
5. We’re All Walking Each Other Home
You referenced the phrase, “We’re all just walking each other home,” showing how, in the Christian life, we’re not on this journey alone. We’re meant to walk with others in grace.
Question: How can we support each other as we walk this journey of faith together? Can you share an example of a time someone walked with you through a difficult season in life?
6. Justification: God Aligns Us with His Love
You described justification like aligning a Word document—God takes what’s out of place in our lives and brings it back into line with His love. “It’s God saying, ‘We’re good’—not because of what we’ve done, but because of who He is.”
Question: In what areas of your life do you need God to bring you back into alignment with His love? How does knowing that God has already made things right change how you live day to day?
Closing Reflection: In what ways does understanding God’s grace more deeply affect your relationships—with God, with others, and with yourself?
Quotes for Reflection
“Grace is not a thing. It is not a substance that can be measured or counted. It is the personal presence of the living God.”
N.T. Wright This quote emphasizes that grace is the dynamic, personal presence of God in our lives, not something we earn or quantify. How does this reshape your understanding of grace?
“The greatest mystery of the gospel is not our sin, but God’s unrelenting love, which embraces us in our imperfection and calls us beloved.”
Richard Rohr Rohr reminds us that it’s God’s love, not our failures, that defines us. Reflect on how this truth impacts your sense of worth and relationship with the Divine.
“Justification by faith is about God putting the world back to rights, beginning with us. It’s about reordering our lives in alignment with the Creator’s love.”
James Dunn Dunn’s insight invites us to see justification as more than personal salvation—it’s the beginning of a wider restoration. How might this understanding impact how you interact with others and the world?
“The way of Jesus is the way of the cross. It is a call to downward mobility, to humility, to solidarity with those who are least in the eyes of the world.”
Henri Nouwen Nouwen’s words remind us that following Jesus involves walking the path of humility. How does this challenge you in your relationships and lifestyle?
“To believe in justification by grace is to accept that we are constantly being forgiven, renewed, and invited to start again—this is the journey of faith.”
Rowan Williams Williams highlights that grace is an ongoing process of renewal. How does the idea of continual forgiveness and renewal change how you approach your daily spiritual walk?
Join us for “Taste and See: Around the Table”, a monthly intergenerational gathering held in the sanctuary, where we share a meal, build connections, and explore the life Jesus is offering us.
Through fun, purposeful activities like storytelling, drawing, and shared discussions, we’ll experience faith and community in fresh ways.Each month offers something unique, fostering meaningful relationships and laying the groundwork for future discipleship in our church. Whether you come with family, friends, or on your own, “Taste and See” promises an evening of laughter, reflection, and growth. Come ready to share, eat, and be surprised by how God is moving in our lives and in our community.
We invite you to take some time to reflect on key themes from our recent sermon on Romans 3. Paul’s message in this chapter challenges us to look honestly at our own imperfections and embrace the transformative grace of God. Whether you choose to reflect on one or all of the themes, this guide is here to support your personal or group study. The goal isn’t perfection but to create space for spiritual reflection and growth.
Sermon can be found at marker 42:56
Sermon Summary
1. The Reality of Sin (Romans 3:10-12) Paul reminds us that “there is no one righteous, not even one.” This statement isn’t about condemning us, but about leveling the playing field—no one can claim perfection. All of us are in need of God’s grace. This realization sets the stage for transformation, which begins when we acknowledge our own brokenness.
2. Judgment and Projection (Romans 3:9-10) Paul critiques the human tendency to judge others while ignoring our own failures. Judgment often stems from insecurity, as we try to shift the focus away from our own shortcomings. Paul calls for humility—an honest self-assessment instead of focusing on others’ mistakes.
3. Grace as the Foundation for Transformation (Romans 3:20-24) Paul emphasizes that the law was not given for us to boast about following it perfectly. Instead, it reveals how far we fall short, making room for grace. True transformation begins when we stop relying on our own righteousness and embrace God’s grace as the foundation for change.
4. God’s Faithfulness (Romans 3:3-4) Even when humans are unfaithful, God remains faithful. This promise reassures us that our failures do not diminish God’s love or commitment to us. Knowing this allows us to confront our brokenness with honesty, knowing God’s grace will always meet us.
5. The Treasure in Clay Jars (2 Corinthians 4:7) Paul’s metaphor of “treasure in clay jars” reminds us that we are fragile and imperfect, yet we carry something precious—God’s love and grace. Rather than disqualifying us, our flaws become opportunities for God’s power to shine through us.
6. Transformation Starts with Honesty Paul teaches that true transformation starts with transparency. We don’t need to pretend we have it all together. Instead, when we admit our need for God’s grace, that’s when real healing and change begin.
Reflection Questions
These questions are designed to help you think more deeply about the themes from the sermon. Whether you reflect on them individually or with a group, allow them to spark meaningful conversation.
Facing the Truth: In the sermon, we heard the famous line from A Few Good Men: “You can’t handle the truth.” When faced with difficult truths about yourself, how do you typically respond? Do you tend to confront those truths or avoid them? Why do you think that is?
Judging Others vs. Judging Ourselves: Paul talks about our tendency to judge others while ignoring our own faults. How often do you catch yourself being critical of others instead of reflecting on your own struggles? How might shifting your focus to self-reflection change your relationships?
Paul’s Indictment and Our Hearing: Paul’s words might sound harsh or judgmental at first, but he’s speaking from a place of humility, acknowledging his own brokenness. How do you think your personal experiences or insecurities shape the way you hear challenging messages, whether from Scripture or others? How might it change your perspective to hear those words as coming from someone who is “in the mix” with you, rather than judging you from above?
The Nature of Sin: The sermon described sin as “missing the mark” and how it puts us out of sync with God. In what areas of your life do you feel out of sync with God? What would it look like for you to realign your heart and actions with God’s purposes?
God’s Faithfulness: Paul reassures us that even when we are unfaithful, God remains faithful. Where in your life are you struggling to trust in God’s faithfulness? How does this promise challenge or encourage you as you face uncertainty or failure?
Breaking the Cycle of Judgmentalism: We learned that judgmentalism often comes from a place of insecurity or self-loathing. How have you seen this cycle play out in your own life? What steps can you take to break free from judgmental thinking and move toward grace?
Sin and Projection: The sermon explored how we sometimes project our own discomfort by focusing on others’ faults. In what ways have you seen this dynamic in your own relationships? How might embracing vulnerability instead of judgment deepen your connections with others?
Transformation and Honesty: Transformation begins with an honest appraisal of our limitations and failures. Is there an area in your life where you’ve been avoiding the truth about yourself? What would it take for you to bring that into the light and experience God’s grace for healing?
Carrying God’s Treasure: Paul’s metaphor of “treasure in clay jars” was highlighted in the sermon. How do you see God’s grace shining through your own imperfections and weaknesses? What might it look like to embrace your vulnerability as a strength?
The Weight of Sin and the Law: We heard that the law reveals our need for grace rather than giving us a means to boast about our righteousness. How has your understanding of the balance between law and grace evolved? How does this shift in understanding impact how you live out your faith day to day?
Receiving Grace in Community: The sermon emphasized that none of us are exempt from the human condition of sin. How does recognizing your shared brokenness with others affect the way you engage with your community? How might it change the way you receive or extend grace?
Quotes for Reflection
Here are a few quotes to ponder as you reflect on the sermon’s themes. Use them as conversation starters or points of meditation.
“There is no one righteous, not even one.” (Romans 3:10)
“Judgmentalism is often rooted in our own insecurities. When we judge others, we are projecting our discomfort with our own sins.” — Richard Rohr
“Even when we are unfaithful, God remains faithful.” (Romans 3:3-4)
“Transformation begins with honesty—admitting our brokenness is the first step to experiencing God’s healing.” — N.T. Wright
“The principle of Transformation reminds us that nothing, no one, no situation is immune from the transforming love of God.” – Desmond Tutu
“The law shows us our flaws, but grace enables us to grow beyond them.” — Charles Talbert
“We carry this treasure in fragile clay jars, but it is in our weakness that God’s power shines through.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)
We hope this guide prompts meaningful reflection as you explore Romans 3 in your personal journey or with others in your community. Let this be a reminder that God’s grace meets us where we are and leads us toward transformation, not through perfection, but through honesty and love.
Additional Reflection Guides for Children & Youth:
The Baptist work in Liberia began in 1821 with the arrival of Lott Carey, a freed slave from Virginia who became a Baptist preacher. Carey was a trailblazer in spreading the Baptist faith in Liberia and played a crucial role in the education and empowerment of the local population.
Upon his arrival in Liberia, Carey, along with Teage and other Baptist missionaries, established the Providence Baptist church in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia. This marked the beginning of a long and enduring relationship between the Baptist church and the people of Liberia.
Over the years, the work of the Baptist church in Liberia expanded beyond Monrovia to the countryside, with the Southern Baptist Convention playing a key role in spreading the gospel to areas like Sinoe and Grand Gedeh counties. This helped to reach more people and bring them into the fold of the Baptist faith.
One significant milestone in the history of the Baptist church in Liberia was the laying of the cornerstone of the Grace Baptist church on August 18, 1961. The church was erected that same year and was governed by rotational pastors from the Grace Baptist Church in Greenville, Sinoe county. Founding members like Deacons Albert T White, Nehemiah Gibson, Harper S. Billy, Jack Gbagba, Wannie Wilson, and David N. Brown played an important role in leading the church and ensuring its success.
In 1980, Rev. Richard Saydee took over as pastor of the church, with Rev. Peter S. Zarr serving as an assistant pastor. Rev. Zarr also served as an evangelist of the Liberia Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention, establishing 12 churches in Lower Grand Gedeh, now River Gee County. The dedication and hard work of these two men played a crucial role in the continued growth and success of the church.
Following Rev. Saydee’s departure, the church voted in Rev. Shelton J. Seidi as pastor and Rev. Peter Zarr as assistant pastor in 1984. Together, they continued to lead the congregation through various challenges and triumphs up until the onset of the Liberian civil crisis in 1989. Despite the difficult circumstances, Rev. Shelton Seidi remained dedicated to the church and resumed his duties as pastor, and I became his assistant in 1998 when we returned from exile.
During our time serving together, Rev. Seidi and I focused on nurturing the spiritual growth of our congregation, organizing Bible studies and outreach programs, and providing support to those in need. We also organized the Grand Gedeh Baptist Association which currently has 11 churches as its members. We worked tirelessly to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where all individuals felt valued and supported in their faith.
In addition to our primary church services, we also oversaw the operations of the R. B. Richardson Baptist High School, providing quality education to young minds in our community. The school served as an extension of our mission to educate and empower individuals to reach their full potential.
Furthermore, we constructed and managed the Grace Baptist Clinic, a healthcare facility that is providing affordable and accessible medical services to the local community. This clinic is a testament to our commitment to serving the needs of those who are most vulnerable and in need of assistance.
In 2017, Rev. Seidi decided to retire from his duties as pastor, and I was humbled to take over as the new leader of our church. As the new pastor, I have strived to continue the legacy of faith, compassion, and service that Rev. Seidi had instilled in our congregation.
Throughout the years, our church has grown and flourished, thanks to the dedication and support of our members. Together, we have built a strong and vibrant community that is committed to spreading love, compassion, and bringing hope to the hopeless and joy to all those we encounter.
Conversations about faith with teenagers can be unpredictable, but they can also be moments of deep connection. This guide is designed to help you navigate those conversations about Romans 3 with your teen in a way that feels open and approachable. The goal isn’t to come up with the perfect answers or force deep talks—it’s about making space for reflection, questions, and growth at their own pace.
We encourage you to use this guide flexibly. Some teens might want to talk more openly with a trusted adult or family friend, while others might prefer private reflection. Here are a few ways to get creative with the guide:
Pick just one question to explore, and let the conversation unfold naturally.
Encourage your teen to journal or draw if they prefer expressing themselves that way.
If there’s a Jesus Follower your teen looks up to, consider inviting them to join the conversation.
Let your teen take the lead in how and when these reflections happen, and don’t be surprised if the deepest conversations come when you least expect them.
Key Themes from the Sermon
1. We All Make Mistakes (Romans 3:10) Paul’s message in Romans 3 is simple: nobody’s perfect. We all mess up, and that’s okay. God isn’t waiting for us to be flawless. What matters is being honest about our mistakes and trusting that God will help us move forward.
2. God’s Treasure in Us (2 Corinthians 4:7) Paul says that we carry God’s love like treasure inside us—even though we’re far from perfect. It’s through our flaws and imperfections that God’s love shines. Instead of hiding our struggles, we can embrace them, knowing that God still calls us valuable.
3. God’s Faithfulness, Even When We Fall (Romans 3:3-4) Paul reminds us that even when we’re unfaithful, God is still faithful. Our failures don’t change God’s love for us. God’s love and grace are always present, no matter how many times we fall short. Transformation begins when we accept that God’s faithfulness is bigger than our mistakes.
Reflection Questions for Teens
These questions are designed to help teens explore their identity, faith, and the idea of grace in their own lives. Encourage them to reflect privately or engage in conversation—whichever feels more comfortable.
Sin and Identity: We talked about how sin makes us feel “out of sync” with God and with ourselves. Can you think of a time when you felt out of place, whether with friends, at home, or even in your own skin? How did that make you feel? What do you think God would say to you in those moments?
Peer Pressure and Judgment: Paul talks about how we sometimes point fingers at others to avoid facing our own mistakes. Have you ever felt pressure to judge someone else, or maybe even judged yourself too harshly? How could practicing grace, both for yourself and others, change how you approach those situations?
Sharing God’s Love Through Imperfections: Paul says we carry God’s love in “clay jars,” meaning we aren’t perfect, but we still hold something valuable. How do you think God can use your imperfections—like your struggles or weaknesses—to help others? How can you embrace those parts of yourself?
God’s Grace in Relationships: God’s grace allows us to love ourselves and others more fully. What are some ways you could show grace to someone you find difficult to love? How could showing grace strengthen your relationships with others and with God?
Spiritual Practices for Teens
Here are two spiritual practices—one for private reflection and one for family engagement—that encourage teens to think about their identity and connection to God.
1. Journaling (Private Reflection)
Encourage your teen to use journaling as a way to process their thoughts and emotions. This can be a powerful tool for personal reflection, especially when dealing with issues of identity, mistakes, and grace.
How to Do It:
Set aside time for quiet reflection. Let your teen choose how often they’d like to journal—whether it’s daily, weekly, or whenever they feel like it.
Prompt them with these questions to help guide their journaling:
What’s one mistake I made recently that’s been weighing on me? How can I move forward?
How can I see God’s love showing up in my life, even through my struggles?
Where do I need to show grace to myself or others?
This can be a private practice, where your teen has the freedom to explore their thoughts without needing to share them right away.
2. Gratitude Walk (Family or Group Activity)
Taking a walk together as a family or with a close friend/mentor can create a space for casual, meaningful conversations. This practice helps everyone slow down and become aware of God’s presence in everyday life.
How to Do It:
Take a walk outside together—whether in your neighborhood, a local park, or even in your backyard.
As you walk, take turns pointing out things you’re grateful for. It could be something you see in nature, a good moment from the week, or a simple observation.
Afterward, gather together and say a short prayer of thanks: “God, thank you for all the things we noticed today. Help us carry that sense of gratitude and awareness with us throughout the week.”
This practice allows for both conversation and quiet reflection, without the pressure to dive deep into intense topics unless the moment feels right.
Conclusion
The goal here isn’t to force conversations or expect deep reflection all at once. Instead, it’s about creating opportunities for your teen to engage with these questions at their own pace—whether through private reflection or in the company of trusted family and friends. As you guide them in building a “rule of life,” let these moments unfold naturally and remember that every step, no matter how small, is part of the journey.
Faith conversations with children can be full of wonder and curiosity. This guide is here to help you continue—or start—those conversations with your child about the big ideas we’ve been reflecting on Romans 3:1-20. The goal isn’t to arrive at perfect answers but to encourage your child to ask questions, reflect, and engage creatively. We want these conversations to be a fun and meaningful part of your family’s daily life.
As your family begins to build a “rule of life”—a shared rhythm that makes space for God—remember that this is a journey, not a sprint. You don’t have to use the whole guide at once. Here are some ideas to help spark creativity:
Pick just one question to explore this week.
Invite your child to respond through drawing or storytelling.
Think of a Jesus Follower your child enjoys spending time with. Maybe they can join in a conversation or share their thoughts.
Let’s take this journey one step at a time and enjoy the process!
Key Themes from the Sermon
1. Everyone Makes Mistakes (Romans 3:10) We all make mistakes, and no one is perfect—that’s something Paul reminds us of in Romans 3. It’s okay to mess up. God knows we aren’t perfect, and He loves us no matter what. The important thing is to be honest when we make mistakes and trust that God will always help us start fresh.
2. God’s Treasure in Us (2 Corinthians 4:7) Paul says that we carry God’s love like a treasure inside us. Even though we aren’t perfect, we are still very special to God. Like a clay jar with cracks, it’s sometimes through our mistakes that God’s love shines through us. God made us to share His love with the world, even when we don’t feel perfect.
3. We Are Loved Even When We Mess Up (Romans 3:3-4) Paul also reminds us that when we aren’t faithful, God is still faithful. God’s love doesn’t depend on us getting everything right. Even when we make mistakes, God is always ready to forgive us and love us through it.
Reflection Questions for Children
These questions are meant to be fun, simple, and open-ended. Let your child share their thoughts and ideas. Feel free to add some hands-on activities like drawing or storytelling to make the experience more engaging.
God’s Treasure in Us: We learned that God’s love is like a treasure we carry inside us, even though we aren’t perfect. Can you think of something special you love that you’d want to share with a friend? How can you share God’s love with others this week?
Activity Idea: Draw a picture of a “clay jar” and talk about what treasures (like love, kindness, or friendship) God has placed in your heart.
Missing the Mark: Sin was explained as “missing the mark,” like aiming for something but not hitting it. Can you think of a time you tried to do something right but it didn’t go the way you planned? What did you learn from that? How do you think God feels about you when you make mistakes?
Feeling Loved by God: We sang Father Abraham in Sunday school, and it reminds us that we’re all part of God’s family. How does it feel to know you are loved by God, even when you make mistakes? What’s one way you can show someone else that they are loved by God too?
Making Mistakes and Being Forgiven: Everyone makes mistakes, and that’s okay! Can you think of a time when you made a mistake and someone forgave you? How did that feel? Remember, God forgives us too, and He helps us start fresh every time.
Spiritual Practice: Create a “Treasure Jar”
This week’s practice is hands-on and creative, designed to help children understand that they carry God’s love, even when they don’t feel perfect.
How to Do It:
Get a simple jar (or make one from paper) and label it “Treasure Jar.”
Throughout the week, encourage your child to put slips of paper in the jar with one thing they’ve done to show God’s love to others. It could be sharing a toy, helping a friend, or saying something kind.
At the end of the week, open the jar together and celebrate all the ways God’s love has shone through them.
Finish with a simple prayer: “God, thank you for helping us share your love with others. Even when we make mistakes, we know your love is always with us.”
Conclusion
Remember, these conversations are meant to be enjoyable and part of your family’s growing rhythm. Take it slow—there’s no need to rush through all the questions or activities at once. The important thing is creating space for your child to reflect and express their faith in their own way. As you build this “rule of life” together, celebrate the small moments and enjoy the journey.
Greeting Tabernacle Family!This week is the 19th Sunday after Pentecost and Sunday number 4 of Romans.
This Sunday our scripture passage is Romans 3:1-20. I will again encourage you to read this passage in as many different translations as you can find. This passage reminds me of a time in my life when I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how to get to the end of a sin chain that began with something good—–like I sacrificially gave a gift to someone who needed it which meant I had done something good, but then I was proud of myself for doing something good for someone which meant I had done something bad (Matt.6:3) —–so then I “repented” for being proud and ended up being proud of myself for regretting being proud in the first place and this process just kept going—-a never ending sin cycle which began with a good action.
Such is life under the law and it seemingly does you no good to be a religious insider in this situation, it just causes you to ask more questions. During this time period I also spent a lot of time with an old gospel song that goes like this “I am satisfied with Jesus, He has done so much for me, He has suffered to redeem me, He has died to set me free. I am satisfied, I am satisfied, but the question comes to me as I think of Calvary, is the Master satisfied with me.” (B. B.McKinney, 1926)
This song served both to remind me that I had responsibility to keeping thinking about that “sin cycle” so I did not get stuck in one of the “proud” cycles and that in spite of the “sin cycle” I had Jesus on my side. This seems to me to be a bit of what Paul is trying to express in these verses in Romans. So much sin and so much of God loves you!
Come Sunday and explore this chapter of Romans with us and discover what it means in your life. The following Sunday, Oct. 6, will be World Communion Sunday.
