Conversation Starters

1. Read Romans 16:17-27.

2. In verse 17, Paul warns his audience to watch out for false teachers. How do we know what teaching “creates division and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned”?

3. In what ways do you find yourself exposed to false teachings/teachers? What can you do to guard yourself against such teachers?

4. In his closing thoughts, Paul rejoices over the obedience displayed by the Roman church and urges them to continue seeking “what is good” in rejection of “what is evil.” Why do you think Paul chose this to be his final command to the Roman church? As you have gone through this letter, in what ways have you been encouraged to “be wise about what is good, and yet innocent about what is evil?”

Title: A Family That Finishes Well
Reference: Romans 16:17-27
Speaker: Bill Gorman, BillG@cckc.church

– A sharp lookout for deceptive teachers

Wise people are receptive, learn from feedback and grow.

Foolish people don't listen, get angry when faced with a difficult solution, and don't want to talk about it. When dealing with foolish people, you can set boundaries and communicate consequences.

Evil people iintend to destroy things and want to hurt you, your family, your business, or your church. When dealing with evil people, you should be in protection mode, not helping mode.

Churches that endure know when to close the door to protect the caring family from those who create obstacles or sow division and discord.

~ Henry Cloud, Necessary Endings

– An unwavering faith that the Enemy will be crushed.

Three implications of Jesus teaching on Satan or the Evil One:
1. He is a real, immaterial, but intelligent being.
2. His end goal is to spread ruin in our souls and society.
3. His primary means is lies
~ John Mark Comer, Live Know Lies

The devil's goal is to first isolate us, then implant in our minds deceitful ideas that play to our disordered desires, which we feel comfortable with because they are normalized by the status quo of our society. Specifically, he lies about who God is, who we are, and what the good life is, with an aim to undermine our trust in God's love and wisdom. His intent is to get us to seize autonomy from God and redefine good and evil for ourselves, thereby leading to the ruin of our souls and society. ~ Jim Collins, Good to Great

– A laser focus gospel-fueled obedience.

– An ultimate goal of God’s glory.