Romans 13
1) According to Paul in verses 1-5, what is to be the role of government?
2) Paul describes the "ruling power" as "God's servant" twice in these three verses. How can government be a servant of God?
3) Read Acts 16:35-40 and 23:1-3. How can what Paul says in Romans 13:1-7 regarding government be reconciled with Paul having no hesitation in telling authorities they are acting illegally or unjustly?
4) At this point in history, the Christians in Rome were considered very problematic by the Roman authorities. Why would Paul's exhortations to the believers in verses 1-7 be important in this context?
5) Verses 8-14 show Paul using the idea of fulfilling the law through love. How can love fulfill all of the law?
6) How and why does Paul use the images of day and night in verses 11-14
7) In verse 13, Paul notes three pairs of activities Christians should avoid. Do you think they are all equally destructive?
8) Paul's solution to avoiding the activities of the night is to "put on the Lord Jesus". How do we do this?
9) How does this passage guide how a Christian church should live in a highly secular community? How can and should we do better as a church?
2) Paul describes the "ruling power" as "God's servant" twice in these three verses. How can government be a servant of God?
3) Read Acts 16:35-40 and 23:1-3. How can what Paul says in Romans 13:1-7 regarding government be reconciled with Paul having no hesitation in telling authorities they are acting illegally or unjustly?
4) At this point in history, the Christians in Rome were considered very problematic by the Roman authorities. Why would Paul's exhortations to the believers in verses 1-7 be important in this context?
5) Verses 8-14 show Paul using the idea of fulfilling the law through love. How can love fulfill all of the law?
6) How and why does Paul use the images of day and night in verses 11-14
7) In verse 13, Paul notes three pairs of activities Christians should avoid. Do you think they are all equally destructive?
8) Paul's solution to avoiding the activities of the night is to "put on the Lord Jesus". How do we do this?
9) How does this passage guide how a Christian church should live in a highly secular community? How can and should we do better as a church?