Warm up question in pairs: I use an illustration about Jello in one of the questions below. What is your favorite color or flavor of Jello? What do you like or not like about Jello? What is your favorite dessert?
Romans 12:1-2
- Could we take the reference to the mercies of God as all that he had done for them? Yes, the mercies of God is a broad umbrella.
- Has God been merciful to you? What has God done for you? Ask several group members to share.
- As they considered all that the Lord had done for them, what was the least these believers do? To offer themselves in complete dedication to the Lord.
- What question is Romans 12:1 answering? How should we live based on what the Lord has done for us?
- What image did Paul have in mind when he urged them to present their bodies as living sacrifices to God? The sacrificial system of the old covenant of bringing animal sacrifices to atone for their sins. Was that system effective? The fact that it had to repeated over and over again reminds us that it was limited and only temporary until Jesus paid the once and for all sacrifice.
- Since the death and resurrection of Jesus, were the Temple worship rituals necessary, including animal sacrifices? No. Will they be necessary in the future? No
- What is the meaning of the word translated “conformed”? The root word is a word from which we “schematic” and refers to a pattern or a mold. A good illustration is a mold used in the kitchen for various items-baking a cake or pouring Jello into a mold. We must avoid being squeezed into the mold of this age or this world, which is hostile to God. The only other use of this word is I Peter1:14.
- Same question for “transformed”? Yes again. The root word is our word “metamorphosis.” It is made of two words “meta” (with) and “morpho” (to form, shape or fashion). The latter word is used only one time in the NT in Galatians 4:19 where Paul is referring to Christ being formed in the lives of the believers. See also II Corinthians 3:18 for another reference to transformation.
- What do you think of when you hear the word “metamorphosis”? Butterfly
- As Christians we have the choice of living by the standards of the present world or the world to come. Why is it easier to follow this world and not the one to come? Because it is visible and the other is invisible. Even though it is invisible, is it real? Yes, but can only be seen with the eyes of faith.
- Can you think of any reasons for not living by the standards of this present world? Here are two answers. A. It is at odds with God B. It is temporary and will not last, whereas the world to come is eternal. What other reasons can you think of?
- Which of the following is better? A. To be so heavenly minded that we are not earthly good B. To be so earthly minded that we are no heavenly good. Answer: To live in a balance of both.
- What do the following verses say about this present age/world in which we live?
- I Corinthians 2:6-The rulers of this age are coming to nothing
- II Corinthians 4:4-Tells who the god of this age is-Satan
- Galatians 1:4-Jesus rescued us from the present evil age
- How do we keep from being conformed to this world? To be transformed by the renewing of our minds. How are our minds renewed? By a steady diet of God’s Word and living in the Spirit and not in the flesh.
- Over the years people have asked me how to know the will of God. Even though there are multiple answers to that question, Paul gives us one key in 12:2. What is that key? To have our minds renewed, meaning to change our way of thinking as the NLT translates it. By the way, that is a process.
- How does Paul describe the will of God? Good, acceptable and perfect. Do we really believe that is true of God’s will? If so, why do we sometimes think that we know what is best-that our will is right? Ask group members to respond.
Romans 12:3-8
- Based on Paul’s statement to the Roman church in this these six verses, what can we deduce about what was going on? That some had an elevated opinion about themselves because of certain (spiritual) gifts they had. He reminded them that each of them had such a gift and there was no reason for some to be uppity.
- How many gifts does Paul list? Seven Where else does Paul provide a list of gifts? I Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4:11ff.
- What is the difference in this listing of gifts. I like the way Charles Stanley classified them.
- Motivational gifts in Romans 12
- Ministry/Office gifts in Ephesians 4
- Manifestation gifts in I Corinthians 12
- Is it important for each believer to discover his gift and be using it in ministry? Very important
Romans 12:9-13
- As you read these verses, what do you observe? That Paul has gone from doctrine to the practical living it out. Ask group members for other observations.
- Group leaders, ask group members to rate themselves in zeal and fervency for the Lord. Ask them to do so silently. Ask the same question about persistence in prayer. What do we pray so little?