Impact Thursday April 29th

This week Impact will continue studying Romans with Romans 13. Please read the chapter and review the discussion questions below.

Romans 13 Study Questions

Read verses 1-7.

1. To what governing authorities is Paul referring in verses 1-2? Are these religious
authorities, civic authorities, or both? Why does Paul command believers to obey
authority? Consider I Tim 2:1-2, I Peter 2:13-17.

2. Consider Gen 1:28, I Cor 14:33, and I Cor 11. How might these passages relate
to the teachings in Romans 13?

3. Read Acts 23:1-5. What does Paul do in this instance? Is he holding to the standards
he later lays out in Romans 13:1-7?

4. Consider Romans 13:5. How would our behavior differ if we acted based on our conscience
rather than based on potential consequences?

5. How should a Christian respond when he/she disagrees significantly with the policies of a
government, or when that government is corrupt and/or dysfunctional? Do Paul's instructions
in this chapter apply to such governments? Why or why not?

6. What do you think would have been Paul's personal view of the Roman government based
on his own experiences? Would he have seen it as a just or unjust institution?

Read verses 8-14

7. In verse 8, what does it mean to owe nothing to any man?

8. In verse 14, what does it mean to put on the Lord Jesus Christ?

Impact Thursday April 22nd

Hello Impact! This week we will continue our study in Romans with Romans 12. Gary Sumner will return to speak to us about Romans 12 after we study the following questions.

Romans Chapter 12

Living Sacrifices, Romans Chapter 12:1-8:
1. What is "therefore" there for?


2. According to Paul, why should we present our bodies as living sacrifices?


3. What do you feel it means to do this?


4. When Paul says, "renewing of your mind," what do you feel Paul means?


5. Why do you feel renewing your mind is necessary before you can know God's will?


6. In verse 3, Paul tells us how to think of ourselves. What role does faith play in how you should think of yourself?


7. Think of Paul's analogy of the body. What are some examples you've seen of one part of the "body" not doing it's part? What are some examples of one part doing the job of another part? Have you ever seen one part try to say how another part should function? What is your part? Are you doing it?


8. Verses 6-8 have been described as "ministry gifts". Why do you feel these gifts would be less desired and preached about than the other Spiritual gifts (see I Cor 12)?


9. How do you feel each of these gifts serves and builds the "body"?




Living Love, Romans Chapter 12:9-21:
1. What do you feel it means to honor one another above yourselves?


2. What are some examples you've seen of Christians practicing hospitality? What are some ways you did it?


3. What are some examples you've seen of people following verse 15? What are some examples of Christians doing the opposite? Which do you find yourself doing most often?


4. How do you feel you could do what is right in the eyes of everyone?


5. Take verses 17-19 and blend them into one sentence in your words, with no contradictions.


6. What are some ways you see evil being overcome with good in the world, in your church or home group, in your family, in your actions?

Questions by Grant Kim

Impact Thursday April 15th

We will resume our study of Romans with Romans 11 on April 15th. We'll meet at our usual location at 700 Santa Cruz Blvd, Menlo Park.

Discussion Questions:

Romans Chapter 11
The Remnant Of Israel, Romans Chapter 11:1-19:
1. By now, you know the history, how Israel rejected Jesus, so, do you feel Paul is writing about people of the Jewish faith, when he refers to a "remnant?"

2. What do you feel Paul means in saying this remnant is chosen by grace?

3. What do you think it means to be hardened by God?

4. Can you think of times in Jesus' life when He confronted "hardened" people?

5. If people were hardened by God, do you feel they are responsible for their actions? Why/why not?

6. How do you think Israel's transgression brought salvation to the Gentiles?

7. What does the olive root represent in Paul's example?

8. Have you ever known someone who "boasted" about their salvation? Have you boasted?


God's Kindness and Israel's Future, Romans Chapter 11:20-36:
1. Why do you feel Paul is telling boastful Christians to be afraid?

2. Paul is talking about God's kindness to we who were "grafted" into His family. What do you feel he means by saying, "if you continue in His kindness?"

3. If we were to live in His kindness, how would we feel about those who have not yet been grafted in? How would we feel about the branches who have been "broken" off?

4. Considering how often Paul is warning against Christian boasting, arrogance and conceit, do you feel God is trying to tell us something? What are some examples you've seen of this kind of behavior by Christians, or by Christians "leaders?"

5. According to Paul, Israel's branches were "broken off" because of unbelief, claiming to have earned the gift of God by their behavior. How is Christian boasting similar? How is it different?

6. By saying, "God's gifts and His call are irrevocable," who is Paul writing about? What does Paul mean with the words gifts and call?

7. If, as some claim, God's gifts and call are irrevocable to Christians, how would you reconcile this with Jesus' parable of the talents?

8. List the differences and similarities between Christians and Jews in Romans chapter 11.