Discussion Guide: Dead AND Alive

PRAYER

Our main goal in this time together is to build relationships and learn to walk alongside one another in all that God has called us to be and do. Let’s start by praying for each other.

Does anyone have prayer requests or personal stories of how God has been moving in your life that we can celebrate together?

ARISE TOPICS

Sin’s Pain :: Known Union :: Living Free :: Dead AND Alive

THIS WEEK

We’re in a new series called ARISE—a study of Romans 6 and what it means to walk in the new life Jesus offers.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll take this journey together, celebrating the one life that changed everything—Jesus. Because of Him, anyone can experience a fresh start. No matter your past or what you’re walking through right now, we’ll discover how Jesus meets us right where we are and leads us into a future that’s brand new.

This past Sunday, Bria Lacour preached Wanted: Dead AND Alive, unpacking Romans 6:11-14 and the spiritual paradox of dying to your old self while living fully in Christ. She clearly showed what it means to leave behind what once defined you and step into new life with God.

To start our time together, let’s begin with the following questions:

If you could leave behind one habit or mindset for good, what would it be and why?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

SCRIPTURE

Have someone read Romans 6:11-14 aloud. As you listen, notice any words or phrases that stand out, and ask the Holy Spirit to highlight something for you.

Romans 6:11-14

11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 

13 Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 

14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

What’s your paradox?

Die to Who You Were

Romans 6:11 highlights the paradox at the heart of following Jesus: to live a new life in Him, you first have to die to who you were. Paul says to “count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”

The word count means recognizing what’s already true, like reconciling a bank account. Jesus died once for all, and if you’re in Him, your old self is no longer in charge. Your sin no longer defines or controls you.

God wants you dead to sin and alive in Christ, walking in the freedom He secured for you.

When you hear “dead to sin but alive to God,” what emotions or thoughts come up for you?

What from your old life still tries to define you, and how do you resist going back?

Have you ever struggled to believe you’re free from sin, and what helps you trust God’s truth when you don’t feel it?

How might your life look different if you really believed your past is forgiven and you’re made new in Christ?

Live from Who You Are

Once you die to who you were, you’re called to live from who you are in Christ. In Romans 6:11, Paul says we’re not just dead to sin, but we’re alive to God.

In John 3, Jesus explained this to Nicodemus: We must be born again, not physically but spiritually. This new life means we’re no longer defined by our past but are made new by the Holy Spirit.

Being alive to God means being responsive to Him, shaped by His love and grace, and living in daily relationship with Him. It’s not just about what we’ve left behind. It’s about who we’re becoming in Christ.

What do you think it means to be “alive to God”? How is that different from just trying to live a good life?

Jesus told Nicodemus we must be born again. How would you describe that kind of new beginning in your own words?

When have you sensed the Holy Spirit at work in you, even if you couldn’t explain it fully?

If someone asked how your life has changed since following Jesus, what would you say?

Starve What You Were

Romans 6:12 tells us not to let sin reign in our lives or obey its desires. That means we don’t feed old patterns or temptations, even when they still pull at us.

We all worship something. Either the true God or some version of an idol, a “good thing gone bad” that ends up ruling us. Sin promises life but only leads to emptiness.

So instead of reviving what God has already put to death, we choose daily to starve those old desires and live out our new identity in Jesus.

Have you ever noticed something good in your life becoming too important? How do you know when it’s crossed the line into being an idol?

What does it look like, practically, to “starve” sin in your daily life?

In moments of weakness or temptation, what helps you remember who you are in Christ?

Is there something you need to let go of that’s been quietly taking God’s place in your heart?

Offer All You Are

In Romans 6:13-14, Paul uses the language of worship, calling us to present ourselves as instruments of righteousness rather than sin.

Though sin no longer rules us, its desires still tempt us, and we must actively choose to serve God. This involves renewing our minds through Scripture, prayer, and community, so we focus on God’s will, not worldly desires.

Living this new life is about grace, not performance, and it means surrendering fully to God’s transformative work. Rather than relying on law or moral effort, we live under grace by faith, empowered by the Spirit to be alive to God and dead to sin.

What does it mean to you to offer yourself to God as an “instrument of righteousness” instead of sin?

How do you actively choose to serve God when sin’s desires still tempt you?

In what ways have reading Scripture, prayer, or community helped you renew your mind and live under grace?

How can you tell if you’re living out of grace and not just trying to follow rules or perform?

CLOSING THOUGHT

In closing, Paul reminds us in Romans 6:11-14 that we live in a tension where we are dead to sin but still feel its pull as we step into new life with God. 

The only way to live this truth is to turn to Jesus. He opens the way for the Holy Spirit to change our hearts so we stop feeding old habits and instead offer ourselves fully to God as an act of worship. 

This isn’t about trying harder or following rules. It’s about trusting Jesus and letting His Spirit shape us. The challenge is to be honest about what still holds power over you, refuse to go back to it, and keep surrendering to God. 

When we do, we can arise to experience real freedom and new life—right now, where we live, work, and play.

What habits or desires do you need to “starve” so you can live more like the new person you are in Christ?

How can you give your time, talents, or choices to God this week to honor Him and follow His plan for your life?

Let’s close in prayer: God, thank You for making us new through Jesus. It’s not always easy to live from who we are in Him and not fall back into old habits, but we need Your help. Give us strength to stop feeding the things that pull us backward. Give us courage to fully offer ourselves to You, in everything we do. Teach us to trust Your Spirit—to guide us, shape us, and remind us of Your love every day. Keep us close as we walk this new life. Help us remember that true freedom isn’t about trying harder, but surrendering to Your grace. We need You, now and always. In Jesus’ name, Amen.