A Change of Plans 07 May 17

• God has a plan for Israel.
• God has a plan for you.
• God has a plan for the entire world.

Challenge:

1. Embrace God’s plan, say yes to Jesus.
2. Pray for those who do not have a relationship with Jesus Christ.
3. Go, share your faith in Jesus.

1. Be honest: Has there ever been a time when you have been really jealous of what someone else had? What impact did your jealousy have on your thoughts or behavior?
2. How is it possible for someone to try so hard to please God that they can actually resist His love for them?
3. Read Romans 11:1-10. Considering that these words were written in the first century A.D., to whom do you believe Paul is referring as “a remnant chosen by grace” in v. 5? For those who are not part of the remnant, have they been rejected outright by God?
4. Read Romans 11:11-16. If the Jews’ transgression was the rejection of Jesus and the gospel, how did the Gentiles (anyone who is not a Jew) benefit as a result?
5. Read Romans 11:17-24. Who are the broken branches? To whom does he refer as the wild olive shoot? Who is the root that supports all these branches? What is the overall point that Paul is making with this illustration?
6. Read Romans 11:25-32. Why do you think it is important for Gentiles who have found salvation in Jesus not to be conceited about it? According to verses 29-32, what do both the Jews and the Gentiles share in common? Is there anyone in your life whom you are treating as if they are beyond the reach of God’s mercy? What are you going to do about it?
7. Read Romans 11:33-36. What are some of the traits of God in these verses that are worthy of our celebration?
8. While we may not always understand how God moves, we know that He has a plan. God has a plan for Israel just as He has a plan for all those who put their faith in Jesus. How are you living your life as though God does have a plan for you? How can we as a group encourage each other to live out our faith in His plan?

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