Lesson 23
Romans 12:9-21
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Living by Faith: A Study in Romans
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Romans 12:9
In our last lesson we learned that we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds and that being renewed, we will be able to discern the will of God. We also learned that we are each given gifts for the service of the body. In this lesson we will take a look at God’s will for believers.
Read Romans 12:9-21
It is not necessary to try to find a logical connection between Paul's commands. Rather, in this study, we will view them in relation to the renewed mind and the command to love which is central to the Christian faith (John 13:35, 1 Corinthians 13:13).
1) Why is the renewal of our minds necessary to be able to carry out the commands Paul gives in Romans 12:9-21?
2) Why do you think we have to be told that love must be genuine?
3) Considering the commands of this passage, why must love be genuine (unfeigned, without hypocrisy)?
4) What is the relationship between love, abhorring evil, and clinging to good? See John 14:21 and 1 John 3:10,18 for help.
5) Which commands in Romans 12:9-21 pertain to:
6) How might each of these areas be transformed if we diligently live out these commands? See John 14:21.
7) Compare Paul’s commands to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. What similarities do you find?
8) We are commanded to live peaceably with others in so far as we are able. Why might it not always be possible to live peaceably with others? See Romans 16:17, 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and Titus 1:10-11.
9) Both Paul and Jesus teach that we must do good to our enemies. What good might result from doing good and thereby heaping burning coals on their heads?
10) Along with doing good to our enemies we must not avenge ourselves. Why is this so? Do you have a situation you must leave in God’s hands rather than taking revenge?
11) Paul’s final command in this section is, “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good? How does living the life of love by keeping these commands enable us to overcome evil?
12) Paul has given us some challenging commands. The commands we struggle with reveal to us the areas where we need to be transformed; and all God's commands gives our minds truth to grab hold of. What area have you been challenged in and need to trust God to transform you?
No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:12
Copyright © 2009, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Romans 12:9-21
Read Mark Learn Bible Studies
Living by Faith: A Study in Romans
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Romans 12:9
In our last lesson we learned that we must be transformed by the renewing of our minds and that being renewed, we will be able to discern the will of God. We also learned that we are each given gifts for the service of the body. In this lesson we will take a look at God’s will for believers.
Read Romans 12:9-21
It is not necessary to try to find a logical connection between Paul's commands. Rather, in this study, we will view them in relation to the renewed mind and the command to love which is central to the Christian faith (John 13:35, 1 Corinthians 13:13).
1) Why is the renewal of our minds necessary to be able to carry out the commands Paul gives in Romans 12:9-21?
2) Why do you think we have to be told that love must be genuine?
3) Considering the commands of this passage, why must love be genuine (unfeigned, without hypocrisy)?
4) What is the relationship between love, abhorring evil, and clinging to good? See John 14:21 and 1 John 3:10,18 for help.
5) Which commands in Romans 12:9-21 pertain to:
- our relationships?
- our service to God?
- our attitudes?
6) How might each of these areas be transformed if we diligently live out these commands? See John 14:21.
7) Compare Paul’s commands to Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7. What similarities do you find?
8) We are commanded to live peaceably with others in so far as we are able. Why might it not always be possible to live peaceably with others? See Romans 16:17, 2 Timothy 3:1-5 and Titus 1:10-11.
9) Both Paul and Jesus teach that we must do good to our enemies. What good might result from doing good and thereby heaping burning coals on their heads?
10) Along with doing good to our enemies we must not avenge ourselves. Why is this so? Do you have a situation you must leave in God’s hands rather than taking revenge?
11) Paul’s final command in this section is, “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good? How does living the life of love by keeping these commands enable us to overcome evil?
12) Paul has given us some challenging commands. The commands we struggle with reveal to us the areas where we need to be transformed; and all God's commands gives our minds truth to grab hold of. What area have you been challenged in and need to trust God to transform you?
No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. 1 John 4:12
Copyright © 2009, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
