The Tale of Two Kingdoms - Romans 5:12-21

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned— 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come.

15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.

18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

1.     What does it mean to you personally to understand that you were born into the "kingdom of sin and death" through Adam, and how does that understanding shape your view of humanity?

2.     How do you reconcile the idea of being represented by someone else (Adam or Jesus) with our cultural emphasis on personal autonomy and individual responsibility?

3.     Do you find the human origin account in Adam to be a powerful explanation for both humans’ inherent worth and deep brokenness?

4.     In what ways are Jesus and Adam similar as representatives, and in what ways different? How does that inform your understanding of Jesus’ obedience and salvation?

5.     How are these three powerful in your life: what’s been done to you, by you and for you? How would it impact you if what’s been done for you was the primary felt power over your life?

6.     If you are now a "citizen of a new kingdom" through Jesus, what are some ways you might still feel like a "caveman," and how can you begin to live more fully into your new reality?