Foundations of Faith
Foundations of Faith | Romans 2:1-16 | Chris Meade | March 15, 2026
In Romans 2:1–16, Paul teaches that no one is in a position to judge others because all people are accountable to God’s righteous and impartial judgment. He warns that judging others while practicing the same sins only condemns the judge and shows a misunderstanding of God’s kindness, which is meant to lead to repentance. Paul emphasizes that God will judge every person according to their deeds—rewarding those who persist in doing good and bringing wrath on those who reject the truth. Mere knowledge of the law is not enough; true righteousness is shown through obedience. Ultimately, both Jews and Gentiles are accountable before God, who sees even the secrets of the heart and will judge all people through Jesus Christ.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Where did the Holy Spirit speak or challenge you through God’s Word? Were there any “ah-ah” moments?
2. Heart Check: Your God Story
o When you think about your own life with Christ, what moments stand out as your “God story”—times when Jesus confronted you, revealed something about your heart, and changed your direction?
o How has God used: hardship…blessing…the proclamation of His Word…worship… the encouragement of community—to change the direction of your life?
o What were those acts of faith in response?
3. The DIAGNOSIS: Read Isaiah 6:1-8
o When Isaiah saw God’s holiness, he was overwhelmed and became aware of his own sin and brokenness. How does remembering God’s holiness shape the way you view God and your own need for grace and forgiveness?
o What is your response when you read passages like Romans 8:1, Hebrews 8:12 and 10:17?
4. The ACTION ORIENTATION:
o After being forgiven, Isaiah immediately responded to God’s call by saying, “Here am I. Send me!” What might obedience to God look like in your life right now? What might God be calling you to? What is that next “step of faith” out on mission?
o Mountainview’s vision statements shares:
We see a church that impacts our South Denver in real and tangible ways—working with like-minded local churches to be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community. We see a church where our community knows us to meet and care for them in their darkest of seasons and greatest needs. We actively connect the unconnected and see the unseen. For us to have this kind of impact, all of our people will know and live that the church is not the building, but all people saved through faith in Jesus—and each person seeing themselves as a missionary, on mission, representing and sharing Jesus—right where God has placed them—dependent on the Holy Spirit for opportunities and the words to connect people to the hope and truth of Jesus. We see a church that shares the gospel with over 2000 people in the next five years coming from the mouths of those at Mountainview, and pray for hundreds of people to come to faith in Jesus and celebrate their public baptism. We see a church where the seeker finds answers, the broken find wholeness, the weary find refuge, and each person experiences the abundant, powerful, and victorious life in Jesus. o What part is God calling you to in order to accomplish this vision? What is your “next step” to seeing yourself and acting “…as a missionary, on mission, representing and sharing Jesus—right where God has placed them—dependent on the Holy Spirit for opportunities and the words to connect people to the hope and truth of Jesus.”
o Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus right now? What practical step could you take this week—such as inviting someone to Easter Service(s) or sharing your God story—to participate in God’s mission?
5. Tony and Freddie Herrera: Mountainview Missionaries
o Missionaries like Tony and Freddie responded to their encounter with God by going into the world to serve Him. In what ways might God be calling you to support or participate in His mission—through prayer, encouragement, or going?
Foundations of Faith
Foundations of Faith | Romans 2:17-29 | Chris Meade | March 8, 2026
In Romans 2, Paul continues preparing the ground for the foundation of the gospel by exposing the false confidence people place in their own goodness or religious identity. Paul confronts those who believe they are spiritually secure because of their knowledge, heritage, or religious practices. Speaking to the Jews who trusted in the Law and the outward sign of circumcision, Paul reveals the hypocrisy of teaching God’s standards while failing to live them out, reminding them that breaking even one part of the Law makes a person guilty before God. Their outward markers do not save—perfect obedience would, yet no one achieves it. True belonging to God is not based on external identity, religious symbols, or spiritual checklists but on an inward transformation of the heart by the Spirit. His goal is not condemnation but preparation, revealing our need so that we are ready to receive the true foundation of faith—the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Where did the Holy Spirit speak or challenge you through God’s Word? Were there any “ah-ah” moments?
2. Heart Check: Read—Romans 2:17-24.
o How can you relate to the Jewish people? What makes you a “good” person? Have you ever struggled with the idea that you are “good” and deserving of good because of it?
o In what situations are you most tempted to compare yourself to others to feel “good enough”?
3. Romans 2 shows that outward religious markers (like circumcision for the Jews) cannot save a person.
o What modern “markers” do Christians sometimes rely on today to feel spiritually secure (If I do “this” I get more from God…more grace, more blessing, more “good”)? How do these show cracks in our “spiritual house” and that our foundation is off?
o Paul says true transformation happens inwardly by the Spirit, not merely through outward actions. This doesn’t negate important markers of faith—but redefines them. What would a deeper “heart-level” faith look like in your daily life right now?
4. The ACTION ORIENTATION:
o How might our actions either draw people toward God or cause them to misunderstand Him? Where do you see your life influencing others’ view of Jesus?
o What is the balance between Truth and Love—while not being responsible for how others respond? (The difference between not wanting to be offensive…while knowing the gospel offends)
o If the foundation of your faith is truly Jesus and not your performance, how should that shape the way you approach feelings of failure, guilt, repentance, joy, or peace this week?
o How might our actions either draw people toward God or cause them to misunderstand Him (how does this idea of right foundations change this)? Where do you see your life influencing others’ view of Jesus?