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Closing the Gap – Week 16 Study Guide

Romans 12:9-16, 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

 

Commentary

12: 9-16 Transformed thinking is explained in a series of short exhortations. Paul has expounded divine love in this letter; now he shifts to the disciple’s “faith working through love” (Gal. 5: 6). Christians are one family, and they should honor one another and love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. They should be fervent in the Spirit or let the Spirit kindle and motivate their service. They should also rejoice in the hope of Jesus’s return, share what they have, and share the joys and sorrows of the church family. Keep praying— in the afflictions and persecutions of life, members of the body are to support one another. Pride is a great sin and humility is a great virtue. One shouldn’t think too much of oneself. “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1Pt 5: 5).[1]

The shape of love (12:9–16). Love is not an abstract concept in Scripture. It is a way of life. This passage describes many ways that you and I can express God’s love to others. Let’s not complain if our local church isn’t characterized by the way of life described here. Let’s begin to live love ourselves among its members. Love is not only wonderful. It’s catching.[2]

“Love” (12:9). Each N.T. description of the church as the body of Christ emphasizes the importance of love. Why? To function at all any body must have all its members united to each other. No one could live if an arm were in one room, a leg in another. The N.T. reminds us that it is love that binds the body of Christ together, uniting believers in a “one” relationship which enables Christ’s body to be responsive to Him, its Head.[3]

 

Study Guide

  1. Verse 9 starts with love. What is the foundation of love?
    • How do we know what love is? How do we know how love is expressed? How does looking to God show us what love is?
  1. Read verses 9-10. What does it say about the priority of the heart in harmony?
    • What are the key words? How can you apply them to your life?
  1. Read over the passage again. What can we do to foster living in harmony with one another?
    • What happens when one is looking to the interests of the other, but the other is not reciprocating? What can you do then?
    • What role does faithfulness play in your response?
  1. As Christ followers, our fundamental life purpose is to glorify God. A very practical way this happens is when you live in harmony with others. Jesus said that people know we follow him when we love one another (John 13:35).
    • What are some of the practical things you can do live in harmony with God and live a life that makes God’s glory your goal?
  1. Read verse 15. How can you rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn in an authentic way? How does this help us to live in harmony with one another?
  2. Read verse 16. Why is humility a necessity to living in harmony with one another?
  3. Broken harmony: how to move forward.
    • The goal in all relationships must be the glory of God revealed in faithfulness to God.
    • You can control whether or not you are faithful in thought and deed. You cannot control all the outcomes of your faithfulness.
    • What can you start doing today to set your heart and set your habits on faithfulness?

 

[1] Holman Bible Staff. CSB Study Bible (Kindle Locations 247761-247768). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

[2] Richards, L. O. (1991). The Bible reader’s companion (electronic ed., p. 748). Wheaton: Victor Books.

[3] Richards, L. O. (1991). The Bible reader’s companion (electronic ed., p. 748). Wheaton: Victor Books.

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