Discussion question: Why does Paul urge his readers to present their bodies as sacrifices?
Leader: for your review:
This command of offering our bodies as sacrifices to God as being an act of worship has such practical meanings. A lot of people will go to a church building on Sundays and say they are going there to worship God. How many can say on Monday they are going to work to worship God? Or how many can say they are fleeing from sin not only to obey God, but to worship Him. Or that they will wear their clothes or shoes a little longer so they can support missions work in China as their worship of God. It is not a sacrifice to lift up our voices on Sunday morning, sacrifice comes the next day when our bodies tell us it would be easier to give in rather than fight.
Discussion question: How does the process of being transformed away from conformity to the world start? Why does it start in the renewing of our minds? What does conformity to the world look like and what does a transformed life look like?
A clue to this is in the Greek words used here. The word used for being conformed to the world has its root in a word that means “the outward form”. The form that changes from year to year, we don’t look then same when we’re first born as when we’re old and gray. The word for being transformed means “the essential unchanging” it is the inward being that doesn’t change from year to year, our spirit that is basically the same at all times. Paul tells us that we are to be new in our “essential unchanging”, how can this be done but by the renewal of our minds? A true inward change. Wearing a cross around my neck does not make me a follower of Christ, living radically different from the world proves that I am a follower of Christ. Both are outward, but only one requires an internal change.
Discussion question: If we are transformed, will we know God’s will for our lives in every decision we need to make?
1 Thess 4:1-12 – God’s will is our sanctification, that we would know what He wants us to do morally in every decision.
Eph 5:3-11 – This verse also talks about how God’s will for our lives is in how we live our lives and not necessarily what decisions we make about non-moral things.
Discussion question: What is Paul getting at in v3? What are we to have sound judgment with regards to?
If your gift is prophecy, you might not be best suited to hospital visits…Know yourself, know what gifts the Spirit has blessed you with and be honest about them.
Discussion question: Is the passage in vv6-8 saying we each have only one gift or we have many gifts but are stronger in some than others?
Discussion question: Paul lists a lot of practical applications to the Christian life, how are these to be carried out? Can we just resolve ourselves to do them and then it’s easy-going? What things are working against us to live out this life?
Discussion question: What does hypocritical love look like? And in opposition, what does perfect love look like?
Discussion question: What is the imagery used by Paul when he says we should abhor evil and cling to good?
Discussion question: Are we still shocked by sin? Is sin absolutely appalling to us or have we gotten used to it? List some examples of sin that is not really seen as appalling.
Discussion question: In what ways is diligence difficult? What are the rewards of diligence? What is the punishment for lack of zeal?
Discussion question: The greek word here is boiling point, keep your spirit at boiling point, what are the marks of a spirit boiling for the Lord?
In Acts 18:25, Apollos was called fervent in spirit, he proclaimed the things of God to all he met.
In opposition, lack of fervency was Jesus’ rebuke to the Church in Laodicea in Rev 3:15-16
Leader: for your review
9Let love be without hypocrisy – God did the same for us, He says He loves us and proved it on the cross Romans 5:8
Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. – Romans 6:11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; – Romans 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all
give preference to one another in honor; – Romans 9:3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh
11not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12rejoicing in hope,
persevering in tribulation,
devoted to prayer,
13contributing to the needs of the saints,
practicing hospitality.
14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
16Be of the same mind toward one another;
do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly
Do not be wise in your own estimation.
17Never pay back evil for evil to anyone
Respect what is right in the sight of all men.
18If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
19Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, “VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY,” says the Lord.
20″BUT IF YOUR ENEMY IS HUNGRY, FEED HIM, AND IF HE IS THIRSTY, GIVE HIM A DRINK; FOR IN SO DOING YOU WILL HEAP BURNING COALS ON HIS HEAD.”
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
