8.23.26 Huddle
Teacher notes! Don’t feel obligated to read through every question with your group. Pick a few that will bring about a good discussion. If you only get to one of the passages, that’s fine! The purpose of this is to help you and your team grow spiritually.
Opening Discussion
What have you taken time to build and grow in your life?
Read and Discuss
Romans 12:3-8
3 For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. 4 Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, 5 in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. 6 According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts: If prophecy, use it according to the proportion of one’s faith; 7 if service, use it in service; if teaching, in teaching; 8 if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.
What does it mean to think sensibly?
How can you think sensibly when you are angry or frustrated with someone?
Why is it important for us to remember that each follower of Jesus is part of the body of Christ?
What are ways you have seen people use their gift for the glory of God?
What is a gift you have to build up the kingdom of God?
How do you use your gift to build up the body of Christ?
If you aren’t currently using your gift, what do you need to do to change that?
Who is someone you could encourage this week to use their gifting?
Why is it sometimes easier to recognize someone else’s gift and not our own?
When talking about our gifting, why do you think Paul starts this section reminding us of God’s grace and how we need to practice humility?
Romans 12:9-16
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; 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.
What does it mean to love without hypocrisy?
What are some ways the world loves, but does so hypocritically?
What are some practical ways to detest evil and cling to what is good?
What might change in your life, and the people around you, if you took the lead in honoring others?
Verse 12 gives us three commands, which one of those is hardest for you to do? Easiest?
How can pursuing Jesus daily help you in those areas?
As we are seeking to cultivate a Christ-centered life, how can blessing those who persecute you build up your faith?
Paul lists many things in this passage that will help us center our lives on Christ. What is one thing from this passage that stands out to you as something you need to do this week?
As with all these lists that Paul makes, how can you pursue Jesus through this passage, and not just make a checklist of things you should be better at?
Discipleship Questions
Who can you talk to this week to help them discover their gifting?
What is a way you can bless someone who persecutes you this week?
Who can you show honor to this week?
What can you do specifically to show them honor?
Memorize it!
Romans 12:10
Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another.
Prayer Focus
Paul tells us to be persistent in prayer. Who is someone you are praying persistently for? If no one comes to mind, take a moment to ask the Lord to show you someone who is living outside of His kingdom. If you are praying for someone regularly, ask the Lord to show you how you can connect with them this week.