Grow Guide | Nov 9 & 13

All Things New 

Romans 12:1-5

Connecting Questions

·      Who in your life helped you identify and encouraged you to use your unique gifts from God (or still encourages you)?

·      Have you had a powerful experience of community? What did it look like? What did you experience?

Context

This is the last week in our 4-week worship series called “All Things New,” the title of which comes from Revelation 21:5, “And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” God is doing something new at Easter and in our lives, and through our generosity, we are a part of it. This Sunday (11/13) in worship, people will be invited to share their Statements of Intent (for giving to Easter in 2023) as part of their offering.

Our scripture readings for this worship series are topical instead of chronological. As we explore the theme of generosity in scripture, we jump from the book of Proverbs (which we read last week) to the book of Romans. Like our reading from 1 Corinthians a few weeks ago, Romans is a letter written by the apostle Paul to people of the early Christian movement. Romans is Paul’s longest letter in the New Testament and is unique because it was written to a community Paul hadn’t visited in person (his other letters were written to congregations he had established or people he had converted). Paul was introducing himself to the Christians in Rome in this letter, which is full of his theological insights at the height of his career. Romans has served as a powerfully important book to many theological giants throughout history, including Martin Luther. Reading Romans was a turning point for Luther, who referred to it as “…truly the purest gospel.”

Look at the Book

·      Read Romans 12:1-5. What sticks out to you in these verses? What questions do you have after reading them?

o   How does Paul want the Romans to present their bodies to God?

o   How does Paul describe the will of God?

o   How does Paul want believers to think of themselves?

o   How does Paul describe the body of Christ (think of a physical body and how each part is dependent on the other)?

·      Chapter 12 is a turning point in the book of Romans. Paul moves from why Christians live morally (as a response to God’s grace and mercy) to how to live as followers of Jesus. This is a pattern throughout Scripture (starting with what God has done, then figuring out how to live as a follower). Why do you think it’s important to know they why before the how of Christian living?

·      List the ways Paul describes how to live as followers of Jesus in these verses (present your bodies as living sacrifices, do not conform to the world, etc.). Next to each of Paul’s ways of living, list the ways our world encourages us to live differently. Which of Pauls’ way of living is most challenging for you? Which way is most inspiring for you today? 

·      Where in your life do you experience the world telling you what to do? What most tempts you to conform to the world?

o   The verb tense for the Greek word for “conformed” in vs. 2 indicates ongoing action, which suggests conforming is not a one-time action, but is done over and over throughout our lives. Yet, the verb for “transformed” also indicates ongoing action. As we continue to strive to live as followers of Christ, the Spirit also continually transforms us. Have you noticed the work of the Spirit in helping you to transform your life?

·      In verses 3-5, Paul lifts up the importance of community in Christian living. How is his description of community unique?

o   Each of us brings something crucial to our Christian community. What gifts do you bring?

Taking it Home

·      How could you live into your gifts from God more fully? How could you lift up the gifts of others?

·      Think of the people you named as people who identified and encouraged your gifts. What would you say to them now?