Family Study Guide for Romans 13

Family Study Guide for December 15 – December 21, 2005
(Read Romans 12 Online)

Reflections on Romans 13 by Mark Chesner, Coach

pro·cras·ti·nate
1. To put off doing something, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness.
2. To postpone or delay needlessly.

Sometimes I think there is nothing more human than procrastination. When given a major task, we like to think our first reaction is to plan it out carefully, set a timeline for action, organize our resources, and start working on it methodically. But what happens when you are actually given an assignment for a major paper? If you are like me, you look at the deadline and say to yourself, "Well, I don't have to start thinking about that until next week." Don't think this applies to you? Well, just think about this: How many weeks do you start studying for next week's chapter in Quiz Team, the day before the practice?

Some people even extend procrastination to their spiritual life. "I'll do whatever I want now," They think, "and I'll ask God for forgiveness later, if I need to. After all, I have plenty of time." There is even a slang term used sometimes to talk about people who take this to extremes: "Fire Insurance Buyers." They act like Jesus came to give us "Fire Insurance" to keep us out of Hell, rather than coming to give us a full life in this life AND the one to come.

But scripture, and especially Romans 13, reminds us that procrastination is a BAD IDEA in your spiritual life, because you never know when the Last Day is coming… whether it be the Last Day for the world or just for me.

And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
Romans 13:11-12

Cynical people will note that Paul thought he was living in the last days, too, and it is now 2000 years later. But the point is exactly this: You have to live like the Last Days are almost here, because you won't have time for a do-over afterward. God is merciful, but He won't be like a teacher giving you an extension on a paper you forgot about. When the Day of Judgment comes, it will be "pencils down and turn in your tests" time.

So, in light of this, how should we react? Stop procrastinating about doing the right thing…

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 13:8-10

…and leave all the bad stuff behind…

Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.
Romans 13:13-14

Questions to Consider:

• What good thing have you been putting off doing?
• What bad stuff have you let continue in your life, because you can always make it right later?
• If you knew Jesus was coming back tomorrow morning at 9 AM, what would you spend the rest of the day doing?

Chapter Outline: (From Jim’s Introduction to Romans)

6. God’s Righteousness Revealed in Transformed Living (12:1-15:13)

Finish the Verses for this Chapter:

Everyone // must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist
have been established by God. Romans 13:1

Consequently, he // who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. Romans 13:2

Let no // debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. Romans 13:8

The commandments, // "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet," and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Romans 13:9

Love does // no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Romans 13:10

The night // is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13:12

Rather, // clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. Romans 13:14

Sample Questions for Studying

Capitalized words are once-used-words

1. The HOUR has come for you to WAKE up from your SLUMBER why?
2. CLOTHE yourselves with whom?
3. What does no HARM to its neighbor?
4. He who REBELS against the authority is REBELLING against what?
5. Do WHAT, understanding the present time?
6. What is the FULFILLMENT of the law?
7. (Pay) REVENUE if what?
8. 2 Part : He will commend you why?
9. The authorities are God's SERVANTS who WHAT
10. He who LOVES his FELLOWMAN has what?
11. (Pay) honor if what?
12. What if (you owe) REVENUE?
13. Let no DEBT what?
14. RULERS HOLD no TERROR for whom?
15. Do what is right and WHAT?
16. It is NECESSARY to submit to whom?
17. What has come?
18. Do you want to be free from WHAT?
19. It is NECESSARY to what? (What is NECESSARY?)
20. "Love your neighbor as yourself" is how WHAT?

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