https://content.lessons.church/files/bundles/iJK0B3nfDkL/Study Files.zip?dt=1661522739430

Study Files

Session 10 Video

Paul writes Romans for  the church. Romans 12-16 is not just “practical advice for a successful life”; it is inspired wisdom for how to be the church or God’s people.

Session 10

Romans 12-13: Being the Church

Free video resources for you and your church. Designed for use in these environments: Adult Studies, Student Ministry, Leadership Training, Personal Growth.


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Lesson Outline

https://content.lessons.church/files/study/ZcX8h1zT7xA/Me9J8WawA1x/Romans (Michael DeFazio) 2017.pdf?dt=1661522600944

Michael DeFazio's series on Romans offers a comprehensive journey through this influential book of the New Testament. It delves into the introductory aspects of Romans, addresses the problem of sin, explores the question of God's salvation plan, emphasizes justification through faith, delves into the concept of gospel freedom, discusses God, Law, and life, examines the problem with the divine plan, explores the process of transformation, discusses how to be the church, provides guidance on navigating disagreements within the church, and reminds readers of the purpose and structure of Romans as a whole, aiming to clarify the gospel, prove God's righteousness, and unify the church.

Romans

 Michael DeFazio's series on Romans offers a comprehensive journey through this influential book, clarifying the gospel, proving God's righteousness, and unifying the church.

Classroom

Lesson

- As we get close to the end, let’s remember what we’ve learned: Romans…

  - 1-4: Explaining the gospel – by grace through faith in Jesus, just as he promised

  - 5-8: Exploring salvation – freedom from death, sin, law, life in Christ and Spirit

  - 9-11: Engaging a problem – despite Israel’s unbelief, God’s plan is working

  - 12-16: Encouraging the church

    -  Basis: mercy

    -  Goal: wisdom later: add love

    -  Process: Obey. Think. And if we stopped here, we would be missing 
something absolutely necessary.

- Paul does not write Romans to a bunch of individuals; he writes it to the church. Romans 12-16 is not just “practical advice for a successful life”; it is inspired wisdom for how to be the church. God’s purposes in the Old Testament centered on a community: Israel. And now that community has grown to adulthood and is defined not by ethnicity but by Jesus and faith. We are God’s people; we are the church. And we are a “we,” not just a you or me.

- **We compare and compete** (12.3-8)

  - I don’t know who first said that the ground is level at the foot of the cross, but we forget this at our peril. Our eyes are to remain fixed on Christ. And the moment you find yourself looking down on someone, you’re no longer looking at Jesus. 

  - I have no problem with healthy competition. If we ever play games together, I will try to win. But church is not a game. We are not playing a game; we are in a war. And in a war, you don’t compare and compete with your fellow soldiers. 

  - No place in the church for this junk. We do not fight for our territory. We fight for the gospel, for sure. But we do not fight for me or my people. We support; we 
encourage; we work as a team.

- **We love *some* people** (12.9-13.7)

  - What impresses me about this bit of Romans is the scope of those we are called to love. Paul includes everyone.

    - People who need us or whom we need. 

    - People who are above and below us socially. 

    - People who are mean to us.

    - In chapter 13, even people who rule over us get some love.

  - There are some specifics that you’ll have to study on your own, but Paul’s overall point is to show proper forms of love to different people. Love won’t always look the same, but we’ll have some of it for everyone.

I want to leave you with some questions. Simple, but hard. Do with them what you will:

- Who do you not naturally love? (person, group)

- Who are you looking down on?

- With whom do you compare and compete?

Last thing: Hurting the church is a big deal. Don’t do it.



Romans 12-13: Being the Church

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