Lesson Four Romans 12
God’s grace triumphs in our relations with others
12:1,2 The meaning of God’s grace for our lives in general
Verse 1 Make a list of all the different facets of God’s mercy that Paul has put on display in the first 11 chapters of Romans.
Compare the kind of sacrifice Paul tells us to make of our bodies with the kind of sacrifices offered in the Old Testament.
Verse 2 What is the pattern of this world? Give some examples of the world’s way of thinking.
Why does Paul need to urge us to offer ourselves as living sacrifices?
Agree or disagree: We learn what it means to love by learning God’s laws.
What does “appropriate” mean in this verse? Compare to the NIV translation, “spiritual.” What other “acts of worship” are there?
In view of the mercy God has shown us, we are to offer ourselves to him, being renewed through the gospel so that we can learn God’s will for our lives.
12:3-8 What God’s grace means for our relationship to our congregation
Verse 3 What sin is Paul warning against in this verse? Give an example, if possible, of how you have been tempted to commit this sin.
The “measure of faith” does not refer to saving faith or even to faith as the virtue of confidence and certainty of God’s blessing. Rather, it refers to the general level of one’s growth in the Christian faith. It refers to insight into the truth, spiritual abilities, knowledge, wisdom, sanctification, and dedication to the Lord’s work. It is nothing we can manufacture, but is God’s gift. It is to serve as a gauge to help us determine our place in God’s family.
Verses 4,5 Define what it means to be a member of a church.
In what sense do we belong to one another?
Verses 6-8 Define each of the spiritual gifts Paul mentions. Note how Paul says each is to be used. Describe how it is being used in our congregation.
• prophecy Instructions for using this gift:
In what ways is this gift being used in our congregation?
• serving
In what ways is this gift being used in our congregation?
• teaching
In what ways is this gift being used in our congregation?
• encouraging
In what ways is this gift being used in our congregation?
• contributing Instructions for using this gift:
In what ways is this gift being used in our congregation?
• leadership
Instruction for using this gift:
12:9-21 The meaning of God’s grace for our relationships with fellow Christians and with enemies of the church
Verse 9 Why do the words “love” and “hate” appear so close together in this verse?
In what ways is this gift being used in our congregation?
• showing mercy
Instructions for using this gift:
Verse 10 Paul uses two words to describe our relationship to our fellow Christians: “devotion” and “honor.”
Give an example of devotion to a fellow Christian.
In what ways is this gift being used in our congregation?
Give an example of honoring a fellow Christian.
God has blessed us all with gifts to serve our fellow Christians. We are to use these gifts soberly and faithfully, for we do not belong to ourselves, but to our fellow Christians.
Verse 11 Zeal is important. But being “fervent in spirit” must accompany our zeal. What is spiritual fervor and why is it essential if our zeal is to be Godpleasing?
Verse 12 This verse captures the essence of the Christian life. What is our hope and why does it give us joy?
How are we afflicted and why is patience the only way we should deal with affliction?
Verse 14-18 Change each of the following phrases to reflect Paul’s advice as the world would give it. Use this exercise as a way of striking the contrast between “the pattern of this world” (verse 2) and the person whose mind is renewed by the gospel:
• “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.”
Why is prayer so important and why is faithfulness in prayer so vital?
• “Rejoice with those who are rejoicing; mourn with those who are mourning.”
• “Have the same respect for one another.”
Verse 13 What needs are there in our congregation
• for physical help?
• “Do not be arrogant.”
• for hospitality?
• “Associate with the humble. Do not think too highly of yourselves.”
• “Do not pay anyone back evil for evil.”
Evaluate: God is not a God of vengeance. God is a God of love.
• “Focus on those things that everyone considers noble.”
What does “burning coals” refer to?
• “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, maintain peace with everyone.”
How is a Christian overcome with evil if he takes revenge? How does a Christian overcome evil if he doesn’t take revenge?
• “Do not take revenge.”
Verses 19-21 Read these verses.
Evaluate: A Christian should never take revenge because God does not take revenge.
We are not to conform to the pattern of this world in how we deal with other people. Rather, we are to reflect the hope we have in Christ.
Summary
Because of the mercy God has shown us, we will want to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God. This means to serve our fellow Christians, as well as those who persecute us, in a spirit of love and with a view to their spiritual welfare.
Romans 12 (EHV)
For next time
1. Read Romans 13.
2. If you have an encyclopedia, read a little about Roman history, especially around A.D. 70. What kind of government did the Romans have?
3. Read something about the Roman persecution of Christianity. This kind of information can also be found in an encyclopedia under the history of the Christian church.
Offer Your Bodies to God as Living Sacrifices
12 Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice—holy and pleasing to God—which is your appropriate worship. 2Also, do not continue to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you test and approve what is the will of God what is good, pleasing, and perfect.
Humbly Use the Gifts God Gave You
3So by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think in a way that results in sound judgment, as God distributed a measure of faith to each of you. 4For we have many members in one body, and not all the members have the same function. 5In the same way, though we are many, we are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
6We have different gifts, according to the grace God has given us. If the gift is prophecy, do it in complete agreement with the faith. 7If it is serving, then serve. If it is
teaching, then teach. 8If it is encouraging, then encourage. If it is contributing, be generous. If it is leadership, be diligent. If it is showing mercy, do it cheerfully.
Guidelines for Christian Living
9Do not just pretend to love others. Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10Be devoted to one another with brotherly love. Think of others as deserving more honor than yourselves. 11Do not be lagging behind in zeal, but be fervent in spirit, as you continue to serve the Lord. 12Be joyful in hope. Endure trials patiently. Persist in prayer. 13Share with the saints who are in need. Be quick to welcome strangers as guests.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless, and do not curse. 15Rejoice with those who are rejoicing; weep with those who are weeping. 16Have the same respect for one another. Do not be arrogant, but associate with the humble. Do not think too highly of yourselves.
17Do not pay anyone back evil for evil. Focus on those things that everyone considers noble. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, maintain peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20But:
If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink.
For by doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.