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The Manger and the Mission
Why Me? What is My Responsibility to Missions
Romans 1

Romans 1:1-7 (Monday)
“Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God-- the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.” (NIV)
1) In these verses Paul clearly outlines His calling and mission, which is ultimately the calling and mission of all Christ followers: We are called:
a) to be servants (slaves) of the living Christ
b) into a particular ministry or area of service
c) to be set apart for the gospel of Christ. This word set apart is “aphorize,” which means to be set off by a boundary or limits. In other words, Christ has set His claim on you, hemming you in for His glory and purpose!
d) to be on mission--drawing and leading others into obedience to Christ which only comes through faith
e) to belong to Christ (1 Corinthians 3:21-23!)
f) to be saints
2) Do you find yourself walking in your calling(s)? Why or why not?
3) What makes it possible for us to fulfill our calling(s)--verse 5?
4) What is apostleship?
5) Grace and faith! What roles do they play in a Christian's life?
a) Okay, would you consider yourself a saint? Exactly what is a saint? Hint: (translated as holy ones—sacred (physically, pure, morally blameless or religious, ceremonially, consecrated.) Feel saintly lately?
b) Did you know that the word “saint” is not in the Bible. No, actually this word is always used in the plural! Why do you think that is?
6) In these first 7 verses, the gospel (Good News) of Christ is proclaimed. How would you describe salvation to someone from these verses?
Romans 1:8-13 (Tuesday)
“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve with my whole heart in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God's will the way may be opened for me to come to you. I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong-- that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
1) Do you think others have taken note of your faith? Explain.
2) During our study of Job last month, last week in Jonan and now here in Romans, we see the role of prayer and intercession for others in a believer's life. We show God’s love when we care enough to spend time in prayer for someone! Why do you think this is so important? Paul’s sets the tone for intercession! He interceded for the “saints” in Rome:
a) by thanking God for their continued faithfulness to the gospel and toward each other
b) by remembering them in prayer—constantly and at all times!
c) by praying for an opportunity to be with them, both to encourage them and be encouraged by them (Sidebar: Can you love someone and not make yourself available to them?)
3) What are some of the distractions in life that may be keeping us from serving God (and perhaps our brothers and sisters in Christ) with our "whole" heart?
4) Is the role of imparting spiritual gifts upon someone still possible? How is this accomplished? Who does the imparting? Is this only the role of an apostle, or something all believers are gifted to do? Explain.
5) Have you ever sought out someone who is faithful in their walk with Christ and strong in their faith and asked them to pray for your spiritual well being, your ministry, your own faithfulness? What was the result? Why or how would such a gift enable someone to be strong in Christ?
6) Have you ever personally imparted some spiritual gift, blessing, spiritual insight, discernment have you been able to pass on to someone else?
7) 1 Corinthians 14:12 talks about using our spiritual gifts to build up the church. Is this what Paul is speaking of here?
8) Have you ever wanted to do something for someone and something kept getting in the way? What were some of the reasons? Who or what do you think may have been behind your inability to do what you desired?
Romans 1:14-17 (Wednesday)
“I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.” (NIV)
1) Paul was a Hebrew of Hebrews (Galatians 1:13-14!) His fervent desire was to see his own kinsman be saved (Romans 10:1) and in fact, he first preached to the Jews. However, we learn that God had called him out to preach to the Gentiles (Acts 9:1-130.) Here he is saying he is called to even preach to the foolish, the unwise. What does he mean by that (1 Corinthians 1:17-28?)
2) We may not admit that we have been ashamed of the gospel, but have there been some subtle ways or situations when we did not use the opportunity to speak up for Christ? Were you ashamed of Him or yourself? Explain.
3) If there is no gospel, i.e., Jesus Christ, the Son of God, come to earth in human flesh, tempted in all ways as we--yet without sin. This same Jesus, shed His precious blood and died, hanging on a cursed cross, bearing our guilt, shame and sins. Who, on the third day, rose from the dead and now lives forever more! Then, we are still dead in our sins and have no hope of resurrection, and no hope of eternal life! We will all perish in our sins (1 Corinthians 15:16-19!) But, praise God! It is this very same (“dunamis”—dynamite) power—that awesome God-force (Holy Spirit power) that enabled Christ to lay down His own life and rise it up again) that allows God to call us sons and daughters through faith in the atoning blood of His Son (Romans 8:10-11!) It is that power, working in us, that brings us the new birth, making us new creations, literally changing us into the very image of God's own Son (2 Corinthians 3:18!)
4) God first set apart (made holy,sanctified) the Jewish nation, but, as we learned last week, they were called to be a light to the Gentiles (us!) Because of the covenant promises first established with their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, salvation is come first to the Jews! God foretold the Jews of a coming New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-36), not of the Law (which is by works), but by faith in His Son's finished work on the cross (Hebrews 9!) This covenant is unto all who believe! We are now Abraham’s spiritual seed and heirs to the promise (Galatians 3:29!)
5) Okay, if the New Covenant is not of works, or the Law, what exactly does it mean to live by faith?
Romans 1:18-20 (Thursday)
“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (NIV)
1) What attributes or characteristic of God can you see through the design of the universe, the heavens, the earth, nature, animals, human beings?
2) Why is it that man is without excuse for not having some type of faith in God?
3) Last week we learned that God's first description of Himself was compassionate and gracious (Exodus 34:5-7.) Yet, here we see that wrath is now and will be coming upon the earth (Colossians 3:5-11; Revelation 6:9-17.) How do we reconcile these two attributes of God?
4) Do believers need to be concerned of the wrath of God? Why or why not (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10; 1 Thessalonians 5:9-11?)
5) What does it mean that someone suppresses the truth about God by their own wickedness? Have you ever seen this first hand in someone's life? How was it expressed or exhibited?
Romans 1:21-25 (Friday)
“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator--who is forever praised. Amen.” (NIV)
1) Worldly wisdom darkens the heart, making one a fool. How does Godly wisdom differ (James 3:13-18?)
2) This passage probably explains why God chooses the foolish things in this life to exalt! Aren't you glad!
3) Past civilizations have worshiped and sacrificed to wooden, gold and other handmade idols. Even today, some third world countries still participate in this practices, but, for the most part, people in the free world are much too sophisticated to bow down to statues or images! However, if we are honest with ourselves, we know we still pay homage to idols. What are some modern idols you can think of?
4) Unrepentant hearts grow harder and harder, until finally God's Spirit stops convicting them of their sin (Genesis 6:3), allowing that person to sink deeper and deeper into their sin until they believe in their heart that their sin is normal, acceptable--to be tolerated, even forced upon others. The KJV Bible calls this having a “reprobate” mind—one that literally and morally worthless! God rejects and casts them away! They are so reprobate in their thinking that they actually draw others into their sin! Can you see evidence of this taking place in our world today? Explain.
5) It must be a terrible thing for God to "give one over" to their sins and lusts. A person in this type of sin is almost impossible to snatch from the fire. Paul is specifically speaking of different types of sexual impurities here (?), but can you think of other sins this might apply to?
6) Sexually impurity is a grievous sin because scripture tells us that it is the only sin we commit against our own bodies. How so (1 Corinthians 6:15-20?)
7) There are many activist groups in the world today. Can you think of any that might speak to "worshiping and serving created things" rather than the Creator?