1. What did Paul urge Christians to do in Rom 12:1? Present their bodies a living and holy sacrifice to God

Transcription

1 Lesson 46 GROUP NOTES Lesson Focus: Authentic Christian Community (Serving in Love), Rom 12:4-8 I. Review: 1. What did Paul urge Christians to do in Rom 12:1? Present their bodies a living and holy sacrifice to God 2. What is the motivation for presenting our bodies a living sacrifice? All the doctrinal truths in chapters 1-11 that explain what God has done for us. 3. List the instructions Paul gave in vv2-3 from memory. 1) do not be conformed to this world 2) be transformed by the renewing of your mind 3) do not think more highly of yourself than you ought to think 4) think about yourself with sober judgment II. Observing and Discussing the Text: Leaders: You probably will not have time to discuss every question listed below. Prioritize the questions you think will be beneficial for your group to discuss. 1. Read Rom 12: What illustration does Paul use in vv4-6? Paul draws a comparison between the human body and the body of Christ, the church. -Optional: Read 1 Cor 12: What do you think is Paul s main point(s) in this comparison between the human body and the body of Christ? 3. What does Paul explain about gifts in the first half of v6? Our gifts differ according to the grace given to us. Grace: charis: unmerited, unearned favor of God Copyright 2013, Providence Church Page 1

2 Gifts: charisma: a favor which one receives without any merit of his own. The suffix ma indicates the result of grace. In the NT this word is used only of gifts and graces imparted from God. Differ: varying in kind Given: to grant, supply furnish 4. How does the beginning of v6 ("Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us...") relate to v3? 5. List the specific gifts Paul names in vv6-8. Be sure to note the descriptive phrase associated with each gift. 1) Prophecy, in proportion to our faith Prophecy: propheteia: comes from two words: pro in front of, prior; forth, phemi to show or make known one s thoughts ; signifies the speaking forth of the mind and counsel of God (Vine s Expository Dictionary). Proportion: the measured out, the limit. The right relation. 2) Service, in his serving Service: diakonia: service, ministry. Diakonia involves compassionate love towards the needy within the Christian community. (Note: the word deacon comes from diakonia.) 3) Teaching, in his teaching Teach: didasko: 1) to teach, to hold discourse with others in order to instruct them, 2) to impart instruction, to instill doctrine into one, to explain or expound a thing Teaching: instruction, that which is taught, doctrine, precepts 4) the one who exhorts, in his exhortation Exhorts: parakaleo: 1) to call to one s side, to summon, 2) to address, to speak to, entreaty, comfort, instruction, 3) to admonish, beg, entreat, 4) to console, encourage, strengthen by consolation, 5) to encourage, 6) to instruct, teach. 5) the one who contributes, in generosity Contributes: impart, give Copyright 2013, Providence Church Page 2

3 Generosity: 1) simplicity, sincerity, mental honesty (the one who is free from pretense and hypocrisy), 2) not self seeking, openness of heart manifesting itself by generosity. 6) the one who leads, with zeal Leads: 1) to set or place before, to set over, to be over, preside over, 2) to be a protector or guardian, to give aid, 3) to care for, give attention to Zeal: earnestness, diligence, striving after anything 7) the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness Acts of mercy: to have mercy on, to help one afflicted or seeking aid, to help the afflicted, to bring help to the wretched Cheerfulness: cheerfulness, readiness of mind III. Discussing the text: 1. Optional: There are several lists of spiritual gifts in the NT. Read the following references and list the gifts named in each reference. Note how the gifts are described and why they are given. Leaders, this is an optional question for your discussion. It is not necessary to look at these cross-references to understand Paul s main point(s) in Romans 12:4-8. But, your group may be interested in exploring a few more verses on spiritual gifts. If that is the case, it might be helpful to list each gift mentioned on a whiteboard. Keep your group focused on the gifts listed in these verses and how they relate to Rom 12: Pet 4:10-11 Note: Peter does not list specific gifts. Instead he characterizes the gifts according to 2 broad categories: speaking and serving. Eph 4: Cor 12:1-11, Leaders: If the issue of speaking in tongues (or other 'sign' gifts) comes up in your group, you can refer to the doctrinal statement of Providence Church that is copied at the end of this lesson.* -There are different gifts mentioned in these various lists. Why do you think there isn t just one list of gifts? -Is one gift more important than another gift? 2. Do you think it is important to know your spiritual gift(s)? Why or why not? -Do you know what your spiritual gift(s) is? If so, share with your group how God has gifted you to serve His body. Copyright 2013, Providence Church Page 3

4 -What has helped you realize your specific gift(s)? -Is it prideful to state how God has gifted you to serve? 3. If someone in your group does not know his/her gift, what are some ways that person can begin to understand how God has gifted him/her to serve? How can your small group help one of its members understand how God has equipped him/her? 4. How does it make you feel to know that God has gifted you to function uniquely in His body, the church? 5. How have you used your gift(s) in the past? -Are you using your gift(s) today? If so, how specifically are you using them? -If you are not currently serving/using your gift, what is stopping you...and what would encourage you to serve? -Have you ever served in a ministry and ended up feeling spiritually drained or discouraged? Why do you think that happened? IV. Lesson Wrap Up: 1. How does this subject relate to Paul's plea in v 1: present your bodies as a living sacrifice? 2. How does the subject of spiritual gifts relate to the instruction in v2: be transformed by the renewing of your minds, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God? 3. How does the subject of spiritual gifts relate to v3: do not think more highly of yourself than you ought to think, but think with sober judgment? 4. Why do you think Paul discussed spiritual gifts at this point in Rom 12? 5. Optional: Looking Ahead.. Leaders: Print or the following to those members of your group who would like to study next week's verses before coming to group. 1. Read Rom 12:9-13 every day this week. 2. List each instruction in these verses. Pick one instruction each day this week and memorize it. Copyright 2013, Providence Church Page 4

5 As you meditate on these instructions, think about how each one relates to Paul s plea in v1: present your bodies as a living sacrifice. What would have to die for you to live out each instruction? 3. Look up any words you want to define. One easy resource to use is If using a mobile device: Download the free app for Blue Letter Bible. Click the 1 st icon in the upper left to choose the translation you want to use. (Chad is using the ESV.) Search for Romans 12. (The 2 nd icon, upper left. It looks like an open book.) Click on the number of the verse that has the word you want to define in the Greek. Click on Concordance/Interlinear. Scroll down until you find the word you are looking for and click on it. If using your computer: Go to Search for Romans 12 (upper right corner). Choose which translation you want to use, click on it. (Note: Chad is using the ESV.) Click tools next to the verse that contains the word you want to define. Find the word you are defining, click on the Strong s number to see the definition. (It can be helpful to also click on Vine s definition.) *Leaders: The following is copied from the doctrinal statement of Providence Church.. ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS: The Holy Spirit gives every believer spiritual gifts to be exercised for the building up the body of Christ. There is not a second blessing commonly called the baptism of the Holy Spirit nor is the gift of tongues evidence of it. While there is dispute concerning the contemporary presence of the sign gifts (miracles, healings, tongues, and interpretation of tongues) they are not normative or necessary for the work of the church today. Because tongues-speaking has little value in the worship service, hinders our ministry to seekers, violates our understanding of order, and inhibits the edification of many in our body, it is not encouraged in any church gatherings. (John 10:41, 42; Rom 14:19-21; 1 Cor 12:4,13; 1 Cor 14:19, 23, 40; Eph 4:11,12) Copyright 2013, Providence Church Page 5