Week 4: Romans 12:14-16
January 27- February 2
Overview: Paul continues his teaching on how followers of Christ should think and act in light of God’s mercy toward us. First, as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, we should seek to bless all we encounter. This applies to everyone, regardless of our preferences or their actions. Second, we are called to be compassionate toward all. We will experience joys, and we will all face sorrows. These instructions apply not just to our friends or those whose approval we seek. None of us can save ourselves—no one has, and no one ever will. Third, considering this truth, Paul urges us to be humble. We do not stand any higher before God’s judgment than anyone else. Gratitude and humility should always guide our thoughts and actions. Let us take time to reflect on this further.
Day 1: Romans 12:14-16
What do we learn about God?
What do we learn about people?
What is the key/main point?
Are there any truths/points regarding the gospel?
Optional Going Deeper: Choose a Bible study method/activity from the list below to deepen your knowledge/understanding of how God is speaking to you today.
Day 2: Romans 12:14-16
Note that not every text will have each of these. Please don’t force the text to make it fit. Simply look for what is there.
What sins are we called to avoid?
What commands/principles are we given to obey?
What promises can we claim?
What examples are there to follow?
Optional Going Deeper: Choose a Bible study method/activity from the list below to deepen your knowledge/understanding of how God is speaking to you today.
Day 3: Romans 12:14-16
Is it natural to feel hurt or offended when someone is rude, dismissive, or unkind to you? Why or why not? According to Scripture, how should we respond in such situations?
It’s common to feel guarded or self-conscious around someone who seems richer, more attractive, or more popular. Is this a healthy reaction? Why or why not? How should we perceive and interact with such individuals in a Christlike way?
What might it look like to “live in harmony” with others, especially when disagreements or conflict arise? How can we pursue peace in challenging relationships?
How can embracing these principles from Romans 12:14–16 deepen our ability to love others unconditionally?
Optional Going Deeper: Choose a Bible study method/activity from page 6 to deepen your knowledge/understanding of how God is speaking to you today.
Day 4: Romans 12:14-16
M-O-P
Meditation
Pray and ask God for insights as you meditate on today’s passage.
Read through the passage for the day a couple of times.
Observations
Write as many observations as you can from the passage.
Write out word for word the key verse of the passage in which God spoke to you and include the scripture reference.
Prayer
Pray and ask God to remind you during the day about what you just learned and through the power of the Holy Spirit, how you will apply these principles to your life.
Spend time just talking with God; take some time in Adoration, some time in Confession, some time in Thanksgiving, and some time in Supplication (making requests).
Optional Going Deeper: Choose a Bible study method/activity from page 6 to deepen your knowledge/understanding of how God is speaking to you today.
Day 5: Romans 12:14-16
Reread the passage for the week and ask God to give you eyes to see His truth and how He wants it to specifically impact your life. Review each day of notes and highlight/identify what stood out to you most and why.
Summarize what you think God is teaching the original readers through this week’s reading.
Write out key applications and action points from this passage for your life?
Who is someone in your life who doesn’t know Jesus that you can share a biblical truth from this passage with?
Take time praying for that person and try to set up an appointment to meet up with them.
Going Deeper:
Because God created us all with different personalities and spiritual temperaments, we each have our own unique ways to worship, grow, and connect with Him. Choose a Bible study method/activity from the list below that helps you connect with God and deepens your knowledge and understanding of how God is speaking to you today.
• Meditate on Scripture in nature
• Write a poem related to this text
• Sing the Scripture
• Do a word study on some words in the text
• Listen to a worship song related to this text
• Draw a picture related to this text
• Look up parallel verses
• Reach out to a friend and talk about what you are learning this week
• Listen to this text of Scripture (audio Bible)
• Paint related to this text
• Memorize your favorite verse in the text
• Journal
• Pray the Scripture
• Write a letter of encouragement to someone sharing what God is teaching you
• Do a prayer walk as you pray through this Scripture or something God spoke to you about in this text
• Read Scripture out loud
• Choose a main idea/repeated word or phrase from the text and look at how it is carried out throughout the verses this week
Sermon Notes:
Disclaimer: “Unless otherwise noted, the overviews and questions were taken in part from smallgroup.com, a curriculum writing division of LifeWay Christian Resources.”