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Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ

Series: Recalibrate | Week 6: Identities Shaped by Grace

Day One Romans 6:1-5

Pray: Invite God into your time and ask Him to speak to you, then read the passage.

Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? 2 Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it? 3 Or have you forgotten that when we were joined with Christ Jesus in baptism, we joined him in his death? 4 For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives. 5 Since we have been united with him in his death, we will also be raised to life as he was. – Romans 6:1-5 (NLT)

Discover: Use the Discover section of your Recalibrate journal to write down your answers to the following observation and interpretation questions.
1. What question does Paul anticipate from his audience after what he just stated in the previous two verses? Have you ever asked a similar question?
2. What kind of attitude do you sense in Paul’s response in verse 2?
3. Summarize Paul’s description of the Christian’s “old life” and “new life” in verses 3-5. How is baptism a symbol of this transition?

Respond: Use the Respond section of your Recalibrate journal to answer the following application prompts.
1. What does this passage teach me about God?
2. How does this aspect of His character change my view of self and others?
3. What should I do in response and when?

For Further Learning:
Starting with chapter 6, pay attention to this theme in our next few chapters of Romans: “Although we belong to the new realm, with Christ as our ever-present Lord, we are not yet free from the realm of Adam while we live in this world: ‘we suffer from living in the overlap of ages’” (quote taken from the book, Read/Mark/Learn Romans, St. Helen’s Church, Bishopgate, 1999).

For Families with Kids at Home:
Baptism is a symbol of the death and resurrection of Jesus. When we go under the water, it symbolizes a watery grave and our old way of life – our old way of thinking – being put to death. And when we come out of the water, it symbolizes a new life in Jesus! Find time this week to talk to your kids about baptism. Ask if that’s something they’re interested in. For further resources on talking to your kids about baptism, you can check out our Kids Baptism page.

*If you don't have a Recalibrate journal, you can use any journal available to you to write down your responses.
**TPCC does not necessarily endorse all For Further Reading/Learning sources. They are simply meant to be a helpful tool.

Recalibrate