Romans 12:1-8

Learning the Way - Romans 12:1-8

Paul in verses 1-8 is describing what it means to be a living sacrifice. 

He says “not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think”. When you are in traffic and get cut off by someone do you think you are the most important person on the road? When your server brings you your food and the meal is not exactly the way you ordered it how do you respond? Do you automatically think your opinion is right and become defensive when someone disagrees with you? These are all ways in which we are guilty of thinking more highly of ourselves. Have you been guilty of any of these? If not what does this look like in your life? 

To work as a body we have to submit to one another if we are going to become one body. Paul lists a short list of areas that describe the way a church should function. Prophecy (or preaching), service, teaching, exhorting, generosity, leadership, and mercy. Which of these areas describes your current area of gifting? In what spirit do you operate in your area of gifting?

Take note that making disciples is not listed in this list because we should all be actively pursuing this as Christians. Would you be willing to meet with others from your small group to diligently work through books of the Bible together?

Verse 2 says “be transformed by the renewal of your mind”. Do you find that you value your opinions over Scripture in any area of your life? Are you willing to submit to the truth you come across in scripture?