Connect Ask God to show you how you might show your love for God and for other people through prayer.
Warm-Up
- What was the attitude toward government in the context where you grew up?
- What “non-essentials” have you seen Christians quibble about?
Read Romans 13
- Paul calls us to submit to the governing authority; why? What purposes does God intend for the governing authorities to serve?
- Government has real, but not ultimate, authority (cf. Dan 2:21; John 19:11). How does that distinction shape the way you think about submission and its limits? (cf. Acts 5:29)
- How can you pray for believers living in places where authorities are abused? (Can pray with group)
- How might remembering that Jesus, not any government, is our ultimate allegiance give us hope and free us to love our neighbours even in difficult political contexts?
- How does love fulfil the laws? What relationship do we see between the laws and love?
- What does it mean by “our salvation is near now”? And how are we to prepare for Christ’s return?
- Share with the group some ways we can “clothe” ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.
- Paul lists "quarreling" in the very same breath as sexual immorality (13:13). Does that surprise you? Why might God take relational discord among believers that seriously?
Read Romans 14
- What are the disputable matters Paul mentions in verses 1-8?
- What principles does Paul give here for us accepting other believers who disagree on non-essentials?
- If all believers belong to Christ, how would this shape our handling of disagreements? (cf. vv.7-11, 17)
- What does it mean to “destroy” God’s work (v.20)? How serious can spiritual or relational harm be?
- How should we enjoy both freedom and faith (vv.22-23) in light of “mutual edification” (v.19)?
- Have we ever found ourselves judging those we think are “weak”? Or has the Spirit reminded you of a sister or brother whom we need to say sorry to? How should we respond in view of God’s mercy (cf. 12:1)? (Perhaps pray in silence)
Apply We are called to live under Jesus’ lordship. Where might Jesus be calling you to change the way you respond to authority, disagreement, or other people for the sake of love?
