Week 12: Romans 15:1-13
March 24-30
Overview: What is your reaction when you hear that we should live to please others, especially if you’ve always heard the euphemism “look out for number one”? In this portion of Scripture, the Bible summarizes Paul’s teaching that believers should put others first and live in harmony with one another. Paul not only teaches believers to prioritize others but also emphasizes being forbearing and building them up in the Lord. As Christians, we are called to receive one another to the glory of God, just as Christ served both Jews and Gentiles. This requires overcoming differences. How often do we put the rights of others before our own? Romans 15:2 says, “Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.” When we take our eyes off ourselves, we will find that we are also being built up and blessed.
Day 1: Romans 15:1-13
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 15:1-13
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 15:1-13
Are there standards we uphold when it comes to accepting other believers?
What does it mean to bear with one another?
How does this chapter challenge you to learn more about unity and harmony?
What can you do this week to edify and encourage other believers?
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 15:1-13
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 15:1-13
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.”