Romans 12:1-8

 

God makes us into one, big, brand new thing.

The church in Rome was embroiled in a big debate. Half the church wanted to the other half to conform to their way of worship. Jewish Christians thought the Law was still important in defining faithfulness; Gentile Christians thought the Law wasn’t important at all!

But instead of telling the church which group should conform to the other, Paul tells them that they all need to be transformed into something entirely new that lives and works together.

Questions

  • Paul pivots away from talking about distinctly Jewish and Gentile matters of the faith. Instead, he begins this passage by referring to them as “brothers and sisters,” and goes on to talk about them as members of the same body.

    • Why is this pivot important in making his argument? What point is Paul trying to make?

    • When is it hard for you to refer to other Christians as your brothers and sisters?

  • The call to be transformed - not merely conformed - begins “in view of the mercies of God.”

    • What’s the difference between being conformed to this age verses being transformed by the renewing of your mind?

    • Why is your mind one of the main places where renewal needs to happen? How does that renewal happen?

    • Why is seeing God’s mercy a prerequisite for being changed?

  • The end goal for our transformation isn’t merely to receive God’s mercy or have better thoughts, but to begin discerning and doing the things that the Lord wants.

    • How does Paul’s discussion in v.3-8 of humility and spiritual gifts illustrate this?

    • What does Paul mean when he says that God has given a measure of faith to every person in the church? And why should we be aware of that?

    • How does this passage challenge you to see different people, different giftings, and different places people be in their faith as things to appreciate, celebrate, and nurture?

    • How does this passage decenter yourself - in a good way! - from what the church should want, need, or be? How does it empower you to join the work of Jesus more fully and freely with the measure of faith you’ve been given?

 
HabitsScott O'Donohoe