Wednesday Night Bible Study Romans 12_1_2
Romans: “The just shall live by faith”
Living Sacrifices
Read: Romans 12:1-2
Scripture and Key References:
“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.
~ Romans 12::1
Ephesians 2:4-10 Philippians 4:18 1 Corinthians 2:16 Leviticus 1:1-17 1 Corinthians 3:19 Psalm 1:1-6
Introduction:
In chapter 12 we come to the divide that characterizes so many of Paul’s letters. Often, he will deal with doctrinal matters in the first section of a letter and then practical concerns in the second. But actually, it may be better to say that chapter 12 marks Paul’s turn to applying the Gospel to all of life. Paul is not leaving the truths of chapters 1-11. He is building upon them. For the first 11 chapters Romans presented the truth of the Gospel. In chapter 12 Paul focuses our attention to the Gospel’s application in all spheres of life.
Discussion and Review Questions:
1. Are you aware of the “mercies of God” to you, both His great act of redemption and the particular smaller mercies in your life? Do you regularly take time to cultivate gratitude for these mercies?
2. What are some of the Scriptural motivations for obedience to God? Do you ever obey out of fear? What would change if you obeyed God out of gratitude for His mercy?
3. Do you resist sin out of gratitude for God’s covenant mercies? What would change if you resisted sin out of gratitude for God’s mercy?
4. In what ways does this world seek to fit you into its mold? How well do you fit? In what areas do need think and act differently than the world?
5. Identify a way in which you regularly disobey God. How will you apply these two verses as a means of overcoming this sin in your life?