New Beginnings in Outreach
Romans 12:14-21
INTRODUCTION
What comes to your mind when you think of spiritual outreach? Is your first thought of a spiritual battle or is it of a rescue mission? Does the idea of outreach excite you or frighten you? Do you think of outreach in terms of a memorized presentation or as an ongoing relationship? Outreach means very different things to different people.
We tend to label others based on our understanding of what outreach should look like. If we tend to take an aggressive approach, we view those who are more passive as uncommitted. If we tend to take a relational approach, we view those who are more aggressive as fanatical.
Whatever approach we take to spiritual outreach, we need to view it from a biblical perspective. The Apostle Paul set the parameters for our understanding of outreach in Ephesians 6:12. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Paul reminds us that our enemy is Satan and not unbelieving people. Although they may live ungodly lives, they are the victims not the aggressors.
If we are going to truly advance God’s kingdom in our world we will need to call off the attack dogs. Instead we need to see people as Jesus saw them; as harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. In fact, Jesus commands us to genuinely care about those who are lost in sin."You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous”. Matthew 5:43-45
Study 1: Romans 12:14-15
As we read this section of Romans, we tend to separate each phrase out as if it is an independent thought. Yet Paul is building a case for a new and different way to reach out to those around us; both believers and unbelievers.
1. How does Paul tell us to respond to those who persecute us?
2. How does this relate to Jesus’ command to pray for our enemies?
3. What does it mean for us to bless those who persecute us?
4. We usually read vs. 15 as applying to other believers. How does the impact of this verse change if we include unbelievers?
5. How might vs. 15 actually be an effective way of spiritually reaching out to non-Christians?
6. What is the basic tone of verses 14-15?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1.What is your first reaction to people who oppose you or openly persecute you?
2. Why is responding to them with curses an unproductive response?
3.How has our culture trapped us into a curse and not bless attitude toward those who are different from us? How can we change this?
4. In what ways can you rejoice with your non-Christian friends without compromising your faith?
5. In what ways can genuine compassion & sympathy toward your non-Christian friends be an effective means of outreach?
6. How are verses 14-15 a counterpoint to the combative approach many Christians have toward non-Christians?
Study 2: Romans 12:16
We commonly apply this verse to the family of God. In the general context of this whole passage, it very much relates to how we interact with non-believers as well.
1. Why is living in harmony with other believers an essential component to effective outreach?
2. How might actively living in harmony influence the community around us?
3. How is pride the opposite of living in harmony?
4. What does it say to unbelievers when we disregard social status in positive ways? (i.e. associating with people who are less well off than we are.)
5. How is conceit detrimental to living in harmony and to effective outreach?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. How would you define living in harmony with one another in practical terms?
2. What kind of give and take is involved in living in harmony with others?
3. What would it look like to live in harmony with our community?
4. How do spiritual pride and conceit show up in our outreach efforts?
5. How are spiritual pride and conceit a barrierto effective outreach?
6. What criteria do you use to evaluate others? How does this affect the way you treat them?
7. What is the difference between genuinely associating with others and treating them as spiritual projects?
Study 3: Romans 12:17-18
Paul was living in a revenge society. It was a given that if someone harmed you, you would respond in kind. Paul challenges that thinking in these verses.
1. What is the basis for repaying someone evil for evil?
2. How does this approach harm the cause of Christ?
3. What does it mean to do what is right in the eyes of everyone?
4. Do you think Paul is simply telling us to be compliant, or does he mean something else? What might that be?
5. How does seeking to live at peace with everyone an asset to advancing the Gospel?
6. What disclaimers does Paul include? What does this tell us about Paul’s understanding of human interactions?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1.What emotions push us toward wanting our “pound of flesh” from those who have wronged us?
2. What happens to us when we repay evil for evil?
3. What are the boundaries of “doing what is right in everyone’s eyes”?
4. How can we stand up for biblical values without alienating those around us?
5. According to Paul, who has the responsibility to pursue peace with others?
6. How can we live in peace with others even when we face opposition because of our faith?
Study 4:Romans 12:19-21
Paul continues to address our response to negative encounters with other people in our lives.
1. What reason does Paul give for not taking revenge?
2. What truth about God is Paul tapping into here? How is our response a measure of our faith in God?
3. How is seeking revenge a barrier to effective outreach?
4. Paul calls for a very different approach to those who oppose us.
a. What practical steps does he instruct us to take?
b. How might these steps reduce resistance to the Gospel?
c. What do you think Paul means when he talks about “heaping burning coals on his head”?
5. Vs. 21 is the summary of all that Paul was teaching? What is the bottom-line principle we are to follow in interacting with others?
MAKE IT PERSONAL
1. Under what circumstances are you tempted to take revenge on others? What is your tolerance threshold?
2. How is refusing to take revenge a positive statement about your faith in God?
3. How is refusing to take revenge an effective outreach tool?
4. Paul speaks about giving our enemy food and drink if they need it. What are some ways, in your setting, that you can put this into practice? What can you give to others that they need, for the sake of Christ?
5. The more we give in to evil, the more it takes control of us. What are some practical things you can do to reach out in a positive way to those who mistreat you?
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