Watch a short overview of Romans 12
Dig In:
Passage: Romans 12
Dig Deeper:
Chapter Summary
v1-2 - Chapter 12 starts with a key word: THEREFORE. The first eleven chapters of this book were drenched with doctrine, which in a sense fertilizes and tills the ground of our life preparing us to produce good works for our creator. With this simple word leading the way, Paul says because of the truth we've just unpacked, here's how you must live: - Sacrifice your own ego and desires; - Don't be crushed into conformity with the evil society we live in in 2021; - Your mind has been renewed, so use it to align yourself with God's will.
v3-6 - Once again, get your ego out of the way, but identify yourself as one saved by grace. Find unity by grounding yourself in Christ with others who seek to use their gifts to serve God by serving others.
v9-20 - This passage explains what sincere love is: it hates evil, is devoted in love, full of zeal, is joyful, generous and lives in harmony.
v21 - We live in a time where evil seems to be overcoming us in the form of lies and deceptions. Our instinct is to fight back, but v21 flips that instinct: overcome evil not by fighting, but rather by doing good.
Old Testament Reference -
v20 comes from Proverbs 25:21-22. Read this passage in the context of the proverbs that surround it.
Discuss:
Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions. For every comment or reply you post, you will receive an entry for this month's prize: a gift certificate to Lakeside Deli.
How would you use v2 to help a friend struggling to know what God wanted them to do in a particular situation?
How do daily Spiritual Disciplines help you keep your 'spiritual fervor (v11)'? How is the world trying to crush that fervor by making you conform to its patterns?
If a friend told you he was tired of the church and other Christians, and that he felt that he could live a more spiritual life on his own, how would you use this chapter to help change his mind?
NEW:
Dwell:
Keep one of these phrases in your mind throughout the day and come back to it often, asking God to speak to you through these words:
v1 - Therefore
v2 - Do not be conformed
v9 - Love must be sincere
v21 - Overcome evil with good
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Your merciful Father who has given you faith and grace (v1, 3)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that by God's strength you will be transformed rather than conformed (v2)
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
