
Read the passage and restate in your own words
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. —Romans 13:1-2
Main Points
-13: Submit to authority!
-All authority belongs to God, he allows us to choose our leaders and they operate under delegated authority.
-God’s authority is delegated to man. To rebel against authority is to rebel against God.
Questions
-What kinds of authorities do we have? (As children, parents. Government. Spiritual leaders. Teachers. Husband. Ultimately Christ.)
-Why did God establish governments? Authorities?
-What would the world be like without government?
-Where does all authority come from?
Read the passage and restate in your own words
For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience. —Romans 13:3-5
Main Points
-Authorities have the power to punish wrongdoers.
-Those who do right have no need to fear authorities.
-Authorities are servants of God, sent for our good, they punish wrongdoers.
-Submission does mean that we avoid punishment, but also on a deeper level, it keeps our conscience clear.
Questions
-Is having fear of authority a good thing? Why?
-How does a government use negative and positive reinforcement?
-What is a more “pure” motive for doing right than fear of punishment?
Read the passage and restate in your own words
Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For, government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law. —Romans 13:6-10
Main Points
-Love should be our only obligation.
-From the position of loving our neighbor, we will fulfill the requirements of God. The focus is on love. What does love require of me?
-Because I love, I pay my debts. Because I love, I don’t tear others down with my words.
-Love does no wrong to others!
Questions
-What are some common ways that many do not obey authorities or the government? (Pirated movies, illegal downloads, disobeying parents, speeding)
-What are some common ways that we don’t give to one another what we owe them? (honor, respect, kindness, help)
-How does loving our neighbor fulfill the obligation to owe no man anything?
Read the passage and restate in your own words
This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires. —Romans 13:11-14
Main Points
-Things we consider urgent get done. This is urgent.
-Begin living this out now. What is the last part talking about in reference to night and day and sleeping?
Questions
-What things do you usually procrastinate doing until it becomes urgent?
-If we really thought loving our neighbor was urgent, what might you begin doing this week to live out this principle?
Application
Think if you are obeying the authorities in your life now and with a good attitude. If not, work on correcting that in the approaching week.