STUDY 10
Who would be easiest to get along with - your best friend or the
irritating sports person?
EXHILARATING
Romans 12:9-16
AIM:
Did you get a taste of the atmosphere of the 2012 Games? It was
incredible how the Olympics and Paralympics managed to bring a
nation together. It felt as though during the few weeks of the Games the
nation was changed, we were all as one, we watched together, agonised
together and celebrated together.
• To live as part of the body of Jesus with
power to love people around you.
• To love and be different in the way I
interact with my teammates who aren’t
Christians.
In our final study, Paul moves on to talk about how we interact with the
people around us and our attitude in doing so.
GET READY
GET SET
Write down the name of your best friend.
In the last study we see that Paul is trying to help these Christians
understand that every part of life can be worship as they offer
their whole beings up to God. In this study we see Paul helping
Christians to worship God through every single relationship
they find themselves in.
Why are you best friends?
Read Romans 12:9-16 twice:
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in
brotherly love. Honour one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your
spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
9
Write down the name of a famous sports person who really
irritates you.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice;
mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be
willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
14
What is it about this sports person that irritates you the most?
CONTINUED
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In the table on the next page, write out 10 verbs (doing words) that
you can find in Romans 12:9-16. Then in the second column explain
what you think they mean. Use a dictionary to help you.
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VERBS IN ROMANS 12:9-16:
YOUR MEANING :
V9-13 are all about living with and loving other Christians - how can
you tell?
Summarise in a sentence what Paul is urging these Christians to do
with people who are Christians.
V14-16 are all about living with and loving people around you who are
not Christians - how can you tell?
Summarise in a sentence what Paul is urging these Christians to do
with people who are not Christians.
What is the over-riding characteristic that you think a Christian
should have in relationships with different kinds of people?
GO, GO, GO!
The title of this study is ‘Exhilarating’. ‘Exhilarating’ means ‘the feeling of
lively and cheerful joy’.
The great thing about God’s mercy in Romans 12:1 is that it gives power
to every Christian to treat everybody the way Paul wishes they would.
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CONTINUED
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In v9-13 what do you think you lack towards Christian friends
and the wider Church family?
TOP TIP... TO HELP YOU LIVE DIFFERENTLY & LOVE GENEROUSLY:
Commit yourself to a good church, one that teaches the Bible, is united
in loving one another and passionate to love those in the community who
are not Christians.
In v14-16 what do you think you lack towards those who aren’t
Christian?
Again in v14-16 what do you think you lack towards others you
play sport with or against?
What can you put in place to help remind you of the power you
have to treat others as Paul suggests?
This is the mark of a true follower of Jesus - treating others with love,
care and compassion. This is how an unbelieving world will be drawn
to Jesus.
If you have time, keep reading up to Romans 15:13 to see all the other
things that Paul has to say on relationships.
PRAY
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‘Thank you Father God for every good relationship you have
given me. Please help me to love and honour the people within
my sports world.’
Scan the QR code to watch a short video:
‘Shine Like Stars’
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