Practical Love Study

Romans 12:9-21

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 12

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. 10 Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. 11 Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit;,w serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. 13 Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Give careful thought to do what is honorable in everyone’s eyes. 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Friends, do not avenge yourselves; instead, leave room for God’s wrath, because it is written, Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay,,al says the Lord. 20 But

If your enemy is hungry, feed him.

If he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

For in so doing

you will be heaping fiery coals on his head.,an

21 Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

Questions For Study

What does the word hypocrisy mean?

“the practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform; pretense.”

2. How could we love without hypocrisy?

3. What does it look like to live in a way that detests evil and clings to what is good?

4. How does Paul describe the way we should love each other in verse 10?

5. What do you think Paul means by take the lead in honoring one another?

6. List the different ways Paul tells us to live in verses 11 through 13. Circle the ones you feel like you need to work on.

7. Look back at verse 14, what does Paul mean by “persecute?”

subject (someone) to hostility and ill-treatment, especially because of their race or political or religious beliefs.

8. How does Paul tell us to respond to persecutors?

9. In what ways can you think of that verses 15 and 16 work together?

10. What does Paul mean in verse 17? Is this a difficult teaching?

11. Why does Paul include the phrase, “as far as it depends on you,” in verse 18?

12. Looking at verses 19-21, how should we treat people who hurt us?

13. Thinking back to last week’s lesson on living in community together, how might the teachings of Paul help us live together in community?

Prayer Time

Reflecting back on the past two lessons, think of ways that you have failed to live up to what Paul is teaching. Next, pair up and pray for each other. Pray that God will help us grow in community with each other and with Him.