
LifeGroup Notes
INTRO
How many of you remember when you were growing up you used to say the Pledge of Allegiance every day in school? Did that mean something to you then? How about now?
READ
Read Romans 12:1-2
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
What is the ‘therefore’ there for in verse 1?
Old Testament worship was manifested through animal sacrifice. What does Paul mean by ‘Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice?
How well have you learned the Word? Have you been applying the truths of scripture? When you study the Bible on your own, do you bring it to bear on your life?
DIVE DEEPER
Read Ezekiel 36:26-27
What are the possible connections between this passage and Romans 12:1-2?
Paul commands believers: ‘Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind’ Why does the mind need to be ‘renewed.’
What could the patterns of this world be connected to in this passage?
How can you ‘renew’ your mind? Since the Holy Spirit does the renewing and transforming, what is our part in the process?
BIG IDEA
These first two verses of Romans 12, give us some insight into an area of our walk with God that we must never overlook. These two verses tell us the secret of exalting God. Paul tells us what God expects from us and how we are to achieve ‘our spiritual act of worship.’
PERSONAL REFLECTION
The secret of offering our selves as living sacrifices boils down to God having control of our minds, our bodies and our wills. Does that describe the life you are living?
Is your mind being renewed by the transforming power of the Word of God so that the new man on the inside is being permitted to live on the outside?