Romans 15 Discussion Questions
1) In verses 1-6, Paul continues his line of thought about the "strong" and the "weak". In this context, how does Paul exhort us to follow the example of Christ?
2) Because he draws on a passage from the Old Testament, Paul briefly discusses his view of the role of Scripture. What is that role?
3) Verses 7-13 reference three Old Testament passages (Psalm 18:49, Deuteronomy 32:43, and Isaiah 11:10). What do these passages have in common?
4) What do these passages reveal again about God's ultimate purposes in the world that Paul has been emphasizing throughout the letter to the Romans?
5) How do these truths, especially as seen in verse 7, help us to mutually welcome Christians from different backgrounds, values, cultures, and ethnicities.
6) Paul moves in verses 14-24 to consider his longing to visit the Roman church and his calling as an apostle. How does Paul see himself as an Old Testament "priest" in the ministry of the gospel?
7) What seems to be Paul's concern in coming to visit and minister in Rome (vv. 14-24)?
8) There is no evidence Paul ever got to Spain, but his desire to go there was one of the reasons he wrote Romans, which as we have discussed previously, has been perhaps the most influential letter ever written in the western world. I love NT Wright's observation that perhaps God puts big dreams into our hearts to chase, but what really matters is what we do in the process of chasing those dreams. Can you think of any examples of this type from your life?
2) Because he draws on a passage from the Old Testament, Paul briefly discusses his view of the role of Scripture. What is that role?
3) Verses 7-13 reference three Old Testament passages (Psalm 18:49, Deuteronomy 32:43, and Isaiah 11:10). What do these passages have in common?
4) What do these passages reveal again about God's ultimate purposes in the world that Paul has been emphasizing throughout the letter to the Romans?
5) How do these truths, especially as seen in verse 7, help us to mutually welcome Christians from different backgrounds, values, cultures, and ethnicities.
6) Paul moves in verses 14-24 to consider his longing to visit the Roman church and his calling as an apostle. How does Paul see himself as an Old Testament "priest" in the ministry of the gospel?
7) What seems to be Paul's concern in coming to visit and minister in Rome (vv. 14-24)?
8) There is no evidence Paul ever got to Spain, but his desire to go there was one of the reasons he wrote Romans, which as we have discussed previously, has been perhaps the most influential letter ever written in the western world. I love NT Wright's observation that perhaps God puts big dreams into our hearts to chase, but what really matters is what we do in the process of chasing those dreams. Can you think of any examples of this type from your life?