1. Hooray, it’s my favorite passage in the Bible. I love this chapter…
2. Paul says that our motivation for being a “living sacrifice” is because of “God’s mercy.” Let’s not be so rule-obsessed that we forget about WHY we follow God– God’s mercy. Jesus died for us!
3. What do you think a “living sacrifice” looks like?
4. It’s one thing to be holy, but imagine how cool it was be to be “pleasing” to God.
5. If being a “living sacrifice” is something that we should all do, then that means that we can all be “worship” leaders because that’s what real worship looks like. It goes way beyond singing.
6. Do you feel like you are conformed (or becoming like) patterns in this world? I know a lot of people who take their cues from the world instead of from the Bible. It’s kind of sad because I know that the truth of the Bible creates a so much better life than a life following the world.
7. Any guesses on how you become transformed by the renewing of your mind?
8. If our minds were transformed, we would be able to know what God wants for us. It’s almost as if Paul is saying, until you submit to God’s ways, you are not really going to understand God’s ways. No wonder so many people who are trying to figure out God never do– they are waiting for God’s will to be known to them without being that “living sacrifice.”
9. Paul reminds us to stay humble. It appears that we do this through faith.
10. Ah yes, the body of Christ. I love this analogy. Did you notice that it says that we belong to each other? Wow. How do you think that would look in our lives?
11. God gives us gifts. Some people can prophesy (give people a direct word from God). If they can, it needs to be done in a way that is “in proportion to his faith.” Hmm…I wonder what that means…
12. People have the gift of service. Notice that Paul doesn’t place limitations on that!
13. Teachers should teach. OK.
14. Encouragers should encourage.
15. Givers should give generously.
16. Leaders should lead without giving up.
17. Mercy-givers should give mercy in a cheerful way.
18. Do you see any of these gifts in your life?
19. In order to love good you have to hate evil. A good thing is to love each other.
20. Paul also says to keep your zeal (or passion!) while serving God. Don’t get beat down!
21. When you hope, do it joyfully.
22. When you are afflicted, be patient.
23. Pray all the time.
24. Share with people who are in need.
25. Be hospitable.
26. Do you see yourself in any of those gifts?
27. How hard is it to bless people who persecute you! I know it’s hard for me.
28. Be happy for people when they are happy (don’t let envy creep into your hearts).
29. Take the time to mourn when people are in mourning (don’t be selfish or preoccupied).
30. Try not to fight all the time.
31. Don’t think you’re too cool to hang out with the people that no one wants to hang out with.
32. Pop your big head because being conceited stinks.
33. How hard is it to not repay evil for evil? I struggle with that everyday. Just because one person plays by a dirty set of rules doesn’t mean that you should.
34. Care about your reputation, and try to make peace with everyone. (Man, that’s hard when people are clueless.)
35. Whoah, before you take revenge, think to yourself, “What is bigger, my wrath or God’s wrath?” Let God be God.
36. God really wants us to be nice to our enemies. What do you think this whole “heap[ing] burning coals” thing is about?
37. That’s a lot of “good-trying.” Christians really need to stay on their toes!
