We are continuing our study in Romans as we dig into Romans 12:9-21… remember this study is meant to be used with the NASB translation.
Read Romans 12:9. What does this verse want our love to be without.
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
The word hypocrisy comes from the Greek word hupokrinomai and it means to act the part, pretend, to answer, reply, to answer on a stage. So if God wants our love to be without hypocrisy, that means He doesn’t want it to be pretend, fake, or for show. He wants it to be real and true.
Read Romans 12:9 again and use the verse to fill in the blanks.
__ __ __ __ __ what is __ __ __ __
__ __ __ __ __ to what is __ __ __ __
THINK ABOUT IT…
What is something you might abhor… maybe brussels sprouts?
Well you should abhor evil just like you abhor brussels sprouts.
What is something you cling to? Do you have a favorite blanket, pillow, or stuffed animal?
Well you should cling to good just like you cling to these favorite things.
In Romans 12:10-13 Paul give us a list of practical instructions on how we can “abhor what is evil and cling to what is good” as it relates to our brothers and sisters in Christ. If you are a Christian these instructions are for you. So let’s look at each one.
Read Romans 12:10-13 and fill in the blanks making these instructions personal to you.
I am to be __ __ __ __ __ __ __ to other believers in
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ love
I am to give __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ to others in
__ __ __ __ __
I am not to lag behind in __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
I am to be __ __ __ __ __ __ __ in spirit
I am to __ __ __ __ __ the __ __ __ __
I am to __ __ __ __ __ __ __ in __ __ __ __
I am to __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ in tribulation
I am to be __ __ __ __ __ __ __ to __ __ __ __ __ __
I am to __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ to the needs of the saints
I am to practice __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __
Now we are going to look at Romans 12:14-21. These verse teach us how we are to treat all people. Not just other Christians and not just people who are nice to us. These verses teach us how we are supposed to respond to people who are even mean to us. That’s right. Even people who hurt us.
Read Romans 12:14. How are we supposed to respond to people who persecute us? Circle the correct answer.
Bless them Curse them Do nothing
Read Romans 12:15. Use the verse to fill in the blanks.
I am to __ __ __ __ __ __ __ with those who rejoice.
I am to __ __ __ __ with those who weep.
THINK ABOUT IT…
Have you ever seen someone crying because they fell down? Should we laugh at that person for falling or check on them?
Have you ever tried really hard to win a game, but lost? Should we be mad at the person who won, or should we be happy for them and celebrate with them?
Read Romans 12:16 and answer the questions below.
What kind of mind should you have toward others? Circle the correct answer.
Be of the ( same , different ) mind toward one another
What kind of mind are we NOT to have?
__ __ __ __ __ __ __
THINK ABOUT IT…
Do you know what “haughty” means? Haughty means high. So God is telling us that we are not to be high minded, but we are to have the same mind toward others.
If you are up high what must you do to see anything or anyone that is below you?
That’s right you have to look down. God does not want us to look down on others… no matter how “low” they might be. He wants us to always be on the same level with our eyes.
Let me ask you. Are you as tall as your Mom or Dad? I bet not! So when they want to tell you something important do they say it from up high, or do they squat down or pull you up in their lap so that they can get on the same eye level as you? How does it make you feel when they do that?
Read Romans 12:16 again. There is one more “do not” in this verse.
Do not be __ __ __ __ in your __ __ __ estimation.
THINK ABOUT IT…
Is God telling us that He does not want us to think we are smart? No, I don’t think so. The word “wise” in the context of this verse is from the Greek wordphrḗn, and it means “personal perspective regulating outward behavior.” This word is also the root word of our English term “diaphragm” which controls key body functions from the inside out. This word “wise” in Romans 12:16 is talking about how we size things up. It is all about our own personal opinions. This is about thinking we know better than God.
Look up and read the following verses:
Proverbs 3:5-7
Proverbs 12:15
Proverbs 26:12
Proverbs 30:24-28
THINK ABOUT IT…
Did you notice in Proverbs 30 that the four things were small, but still exceedingly wise? True wisdom doesn’t come with age or with being a grown up… it comes from God and trusting His Word over our own thoughts and feelings.
Now let’s read Romans 12:17 and answer the following questions.
What does this verse tell us NEVER to do? Circle your answer.
pay back evil for evil cross your eyes
stare at the sun go swimming after eating
Who does it say to never do this to? Circle your answer.
family friends enemies anyone
What does this verse tell us we should do? Fill in the blanks with the answer.
__ __ __ __ __ __ __ what is right in the __ __ __ __ __ of __ __ __ men.
Now that word “all” in the Greek is pas it means all, the whole, every kind of.
In Romans 12:17 God is letting us know that no matter who it is we are to be considerate of them and what they believe is right. We will never win anyone to Christ through being mean to someone or making fun of what they believe.
Now let’s read Romans 12:18. How does God expect us to behave towards other people?
be at __ __ __ __ __ with __ __ __ men
How did Romans 12:18 began? Circle the correct answer.
Always must If possible Never will
Now read Romans 12:18 again. Whose behavior are you responsible for?
Every ones No ones My own
What part of Romans 12:18 tells us this?
as far as it depends on __ __ __
THINK ABOUT IT…
Is God saying it is always your fault if someone wants to fight with you? No, He is not. Some people, especially when you tell them about sin and what Jesus did for them, will become angry. Our job as a believer is to not start fights on purpose. We are to respect all people no matter what they believe. However, we are still to be willing and ready to share what we believe too even if it does make someone angry.
Read Romans 12:19 and answer the following questions.
What should we do if people are mean to us and hurt us or someone we love?
__ __ __ __ __ take your own __ __ __ __ __ __ __
Whose job is it to get back at those who have hurt us or those we love? Circle your answer.
your Dad’s Underdog’s God’s
Read Romans 12:20 to answer true (T) or false (F) to the statements below.
_____ If your enemy is hungry let them starve.
_____ If your enemy is thirsty give them a drink.
_____ If your enemy is thirsty drink in front of them.
_____ If your enemy is hungry then feed them
Read Romans 12:21. This last verse in this chapter summarizes everything that we have studied in this chapter. This is a good verse to memorize.
“Do not be overcome with evil, but overcome evil with good.”
This is a good time to sit down and watch the movie The GodMan…
Jesus is our example in how not to be overcome with evil, but to overcome evil with good.