And you did it too!

Rom 1:32-2:4

32 Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them. 2:1 Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. 2 We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. 3 Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? 4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

• What is the difference between "giving approval" and "passing judgment"?
  
• What is meant by passing judgment?
  
• What is the problem with mankind passing judgment on mankind?
  
• How should you respond to the fact that God judges people who practice sin?
  
• What is the "range of sins" listed in v. 28-32?
  
• How would you rank the sins in the list from worst to less worse?
  
• How does God rank the sins in the list?
  
• What is the reason for God's kindness?
  
• In what way has God's kindness led you to repent in the past?
  
• What sins do you need to repent of now?

Given over (Rom 1:24-32)

Rom 1:24-32

24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. 28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

• What are the consequences of not acknowledging God and serving the creature instead of the Creator?
  
• To what three things does God give over people who reject him?
  
• Which of your problem areas are included in the list?
  
• How close are you to God when you find yourself struggling with your problem areas?
  
• Why would God give someone over to something that would result in sin?
  
• Which is worse: rejecting God or a sinful action? Why?
  
• Why is tolerance of sin not acceptable to God?
  
• What does tolerance of sin reflect?

Exchanging Gods

Rom 1:18-25

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

• How is the truth suppressed by unrighteousness?
  
• Which comes first: not believing the truth or unrighteous actions?
  
• What parts of creation show God to you most clearly?
  
• In what ways are verses 21-22 true in today's culture?
  
• What is God exchanged for today?
  
• How do people worship and serve the creature instead of the Creator?
  
• Why would God give people over to their lusts?
  
• Why is it sometimes easy to exchange God's truth for Satan's lie?
  
• What personal challenge does this passage confront you with?

Encouraged

Rom 1:8-15

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith, both yours and mine. 13 I want you to know, brothers, [1] that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles. 14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, [2] both to the wise and to the foolish. 15 So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome.

Footnotes
[1] 1:13 Or brothers and sisters. The plural Greek word adelphoi (translated “brothers”) refers to siblings in a family. In New Testament usage, depending on the context, adelphoi may refer either to men or to both men and women who are siblings (brothers and sisters) in God's family, the church
[2] 1:14 That is, non-Greeks

• How would you feel if someone told you that your faith is being talked about all over the world?
  
• Why might the Roman Christians have been encouraged by these comments?
  
• What comes to mind when you hear the phrase "spiritual gifts"?
  
• What spiritual gift did Paul have in mind for the Roman Christians?
• Why would he call this a spiritual gift?
  
• Who in your life encourages you by their faith?
  
• Who do you encourage by your faith?
  
• What is necessary about a relationship for you to encourage and be encouraged by it?
  
• When have you hidden your faith?
• What harvest do you hope to reap from what you have sown?
  

Set apart for the Gospel

Rom 1:1-7

1:1 Paul, a servant [1] of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David [2] according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ, 7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Footnotes
[1] 1:1 Or slave; Greek bondservant
[2] 1:3 Or who came from the offspring of David

• What is your definition of the gospel (good news)?
  
• What do you consider included and excluded in the good news?
  
• Why would Paul consider himself a bondservant [slave by choice] of Christ Jesus?
  
• According to this passage...
  - What had God promised through the prophets?
  - Who is the gospel about?
  - What two aspects of Jesus Christ does Paul point out?
  
• What was the purpose of the grace and apostleship of Paul?
  
• How is the obedience of faith brought about?
• Why were the Roman Christians called?
  
• Why is the name of Jesus Christ so important?

Struggle in prayer

Col 4:12-13

12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.

• How could Epaphras be with Paul (wherever he was) and still struggle for the Colossian church?
  
• Why would prayer be considered a place of struggle?
  
• What did Epaphras pray for?
  
• Who do you struggle for in your prayers?
  
• When you pray for someone, what is your usual requests?
  
• Who do you have such deep concern that you would struggle earnestly in prayer for them?
  
• What does it mean to you that someone you care for is "standing mature and fully assured in all the will of God"?

Seasoned Tongue

Col 4:5-6

5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

• Do prefer your food salted or unsalted? Why?
  
• What does it mean to be act wisely toward non-Christians?
  
• Which do you act more wisely toward: Christians or non-Christians? Why?
  
• What is Paul talking about when he states: make the best use of the time?
  
• What is your opinion of how your speech tastes?
  
• Would others consider your speech enjoyable, bitter, too salty, etc?
  
• What is required for your speech to be pleasing?
• How do you answer each person?
  

Sorry for the absence

My father-in-law passed away last week after about three months of declining health. He and my mother-in-law were married for 64 years. A Chinese friend of mine stated once, "So Christians are not afraid of death." At the time I fumbled a bit and replied that we should not be. My father-in-law is in the best place possible, but my mother-in-law still hurts as the other part of her is now gone. Perhaps I should have answered my friend something to the effect that the dying Christian has nothing to fear but those left behind will fear their loss. I know a lot of people are going to feel the loss of Hoyce Bailey.

Devoted to prayer

Col 4:2-4

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

• How devoted are you to prayer? How do you determine how devoted you are?
  
• Why is it necessary to keep alert in prayer?
  
• What are you to be on the look out for in prayer?
  
• How often do you pray for missionaries and evangelists? What do you pray for them?
  
• How often do you pray that a door will be opened for you to spread God's word?

Working...

Col 3:22-4:1

22 Slaves, [1] obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, [2] not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. 4:1 Masters, treat your slaves [3] justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

Footnotes
[1] 3:22 Or Servants; Greek Bondservants
[2] 3:22 Or your masters according to the flesh
[3] 4:1 Or servants; Greek bondservants

• Why do you go to work each day?
  
• When you begin work each day, who are you working for? Who do you try to please at work?
  
• What percentage of the time are you working with all your heart?
  
• How frequently do you try to do the best job you can for Christ?
  
• How does working for Christ change your attitudes towards quality of work, personal ambition and materialism?
  
• How does knowing that you are working for Christ change your approach to your fellow workers?

Family in the Name of Christ

Col 3:18-21

18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.

• How big of a role does Christ play in your family's daily life?
• How would your family's daily life differ if it did every thing and said every word in the Name of Christ?
  
• What must happen to a person's self-oriented nature to obey these verses?
  
• What are the limits of a wife's subjection to her husband?
  
• How can a wife know what is fitting in the Lord?
• Why is the husband told to love his wife?
  
• Why are children to be obedient to their parents?
  
• At what age should pleasing Christ become the reason for obedience?
  
• How can a father discourage his children?

Harold's Musings:
It is interesting to me that the Holy Spirit chose to drop into family life immediately after the Hardest Verse. Family life (and work life, coming up tomorrow) are where we spend the bulk of our time. Our family drives away from the assembly with us. Our family sees us when we come home from work or after a long day with never ending housework. Christ wants us to act and speak in His Name as we live with our family. That means that regardless how frustrated we are with our child or spouse, we are to realize that Christ needs to approve of what we say or do. Ouch! Even more frustration! That means I cannot put back on the anger and wrath I put off with my old self (Col 3:8). I have to show the compassion, kindness, patience and love that I put on (Col 3:12-14) with my new self. Sunday morning Christianity may be what others see, but the rest of your life is where your true Christian self is displayed. Live it today.

The Hardest Verse

Col 3:17

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

• What does it mean to do something in the name of another person?
  
• How much of your conversation each day would be Christ-approved?
  
• How many of your actions each day would Christ authorize?
  
• How frequently each day do you consider what Christ would want you to do?
  
• Why should you feel thankful that your words and deeds can be authorized by Christ?

Harold's Musings:
Without a doubt, this is the hardest verse in the Bible for me. The scope it addresses feels overwhelming. I have this huge range of feelings when I consider the prospect of watching every word and every action to see if Christ would do it or at least approve of it. Yes, I know I have the grace of God when I mess up, but the focus of this passage is on getting permission instead of forgiveness. I am used to running on auto-pilot for the bulk of my day. To slow down and consider if my next action is bad, good, or best is unsettling. How will I get anything done? To put my brain in gear before starting my mouth so that my words are acceptable to Christ is unsettling. Will those words tear down or build up? Are they complaints, gossip, or anger? Would Christ say what I am preparing to say in the way I am wanting to say it? Hard, hard, hard verse for old Harold. Hope it is easier for you. In His Name....

Word and Song

Col 3:16

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

• If the dwelling of the word of Christ in you could be measured as money, what would your account look like? Would you be poor, comfortable, wealthy, or what?
  
• What is one reason to have the word of Christ in you?
  
• How often do you sing lessons to someone from Christ's word?
  
• Why do you sing at church gatherings?
  
• When was the last time you sang with thankfulness?

Harold's Musings:
I must admit this is a frustrating verse for me. First I don't particularly like to sing. I sing along with songs that I like in my car or when I'm listening to my iPod but it is in response to the music, not because I inherently like to sing. I do sing at church gatherings, even though I don't particularly like to. Why? Because I am supposed to sing teaching and encouragement. Because I am supposed to express my thankfulness to God. I don't have a problem teaching, encouraging, or being thankful. I just don't want to sing it, but I do because that is what God wants. Because I don't want to be singing, it annoys me to look around at a church gathering and see people refusing to sing. Now you see I have even worse attitudes than just not singing. My point is this: God wants us to do what he wants us to do even when we don't like it. God does not want me to be annoyed by how others do or do not act; that is His concern. Boy, do I have a lot to work on today!

Peace rules

Col. 3:15

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.

• How much do you want peace in your life?
  
• What things take away your peace?
  
• In what areas do you give or throw away your peace?
  
• How is the peace of Christ different from the peace you desire?
  
• How would letting the peace of Christ rule your heart result in overall peace?
  
• How would wearing the qualities in v. 12-14 help you have peace?