Intentional Discipleship

  SECTION OUTLINE FIFTEEN (ROMANS 15) Paul talks about how Christians should live in relation to others. He writes about his travel plans and prayers for his Roman audience. I. The Prompting of Paul (15:1–4, 8–12) A. His exhortation (15:1–2): Paul urges the mature believer not to please himself but to build up the faith of weaker Christians. B. His example (15:3–4, 8–12) 1. He points to the Scriptures (15:4): Its pages are full of examples where many endured and encouraged others. 2. He points to the Savior (15:3, 8–12). a. Jesus came not to gratify himself but to give himself (15:3). b. Jesus came to guarantee God’s salvation to Jews and Gentiles (15:8–12). (1) To the Jews (15:8): He came to show that God keeps his promises to the Jews. (2) To the Gentiles (15:9–12): See also Deuteronomy 32:43; Psalm 18:49; and Isaiah 11:10. II. The Prayer of Paul (15:5–7, 13) A. He prays that God would favor the Roman church with endurance, encouragement, and unity (15:5–7).

  SECTION OUTLINE FOURTEEN (ROMANS 14) Paul discusses the believer’s responsibilities toward those Christians who are weak in the faith. I. No Believer Should Be Judged by Another Believer Down Here (14:1–8, 13–23). A. We are not to criticize others’ legalism (14:1–8). 1. The rules (14:1–6) a. Don’t judge in matters of diet (14:1–4, 6b): Some feel it is wrong to eat meat or any food that has been sacrificed to an idol. b. Don’t judge in matters of days (14:5–6a): Some feel certain days are more sacred than others. 2. The reason (14:7–8): Both the weaker and stronger believer belong to the Lord and must love each other. B. We are not to corrupt our liberty (14:13–23). 1. The mature Christian is not to become a stumbling block (14:13–18). a. He is not to permit good and lawful things to be viewed as evil and lawless (14:13–16). b. He is not to forget that love is more important than personal liberties (14:17–18). 2. The mature Christian is to become a stepping-sto

  SECTION OUTLINE THIRTEEN (ROMANS 13) Paul discusses the believer’s responsibilities toward society. I. Duties toward the Rulers of the State (13:1–7) A. What we are to do (13:1, 6–7) 1. We are to submit ourselves to governing authorities (13:1). 2. We are to pay our taxes (13:6). 3. We are to give honor and respect to all those to whom it is due (13:7). B. Why we are to do it (13:2–5) 1. Because of the power behind the throne (13:2): God has established human governments, so to disobey human laws is to disobey God. 2. Because of the punishment from the throne (13:3–5): God has also decreed that lawbreakers should be punished by those representing human government. II. Duties toward the Rest of the State (13:8–14) A. Continue to love (13:8–10): God’s love seeks and satisfies. 1. Love seeks the best for one’s neighbor (13:9–10). 2. Love satisfies the law of God (13:8). B. Continue to look (13:11–14). 1. The realization (13:11–12a): We need to know the Lord

  SECTION OUTLINE TWELVE (ROMANS 12) Paul urges his readers to make their bodies living sacrifices for the glory of God. I. The Believer and Self (12:1–2) A. What we are to offer (12:1): Bodily dedication. 1. The reason for this (12:1b): It is to be done because we have experienced God’s mercy. 2. The results of this (12:1a): God is pleased if we offer a living and holy sacrifice. B. What we are to avoid (12:2a): Worldly contamination. C. What we are to achieve (12:2b): Godly transformation. II. The Believer and Service (12:3–21) A. The grace (12:3): Be honest in your estimate of yourselves. B. The gifts (12:4–8) 1. The illustration concerning these gifts (12:4–5): Paul likens spiritual gifts to members of the human body. 2. The identification of these gifts (12:6–8): Seven spiritual gifts are listed. a. Prophesying (12:6) b. Serving (12:7a) c. Teaching (12:7b) d. Encouraging (12:8a) e. Giving (12:8b) f. Leading (12:8c) g. Showing kindness (12:8d)

  SECTION OUTLINE ELEVEN (ROMANS 11) Paul overviews the wisdom of God and Israel’s future restoration. I. This Future Restoration Is Assured because Israel’s Present Rejection Is Not Total (11:1–10, 11b–24). A. The factions of Israel (11:1–10): Paul divides Israel into two groups. 1. The minority group (11:1–6) a. As represented by Paul in the New Testament (11:1): His own conversion shows that God has not rejected all Israelites. b. As represented by Elijah in the Old Testament (11:2–6): This powerful prophet, along with 7,000 other Israelites, did not bow to Baal (see also 1 Kings 19:18). 2. The majority group (11:7–10): Three Old Testament men predicted that God would harden the hearts of unbelieving Israel. a. Moses (Deut. 29:4) (11:7–8a) b. David (Ps. 69:22–23) (11:9–10) c. Isaiah (Isa. 29:10) (11:8b) B. The fullness of the Gentiles (11:11b–25): This phrase refers to a specific period of time. 1. The definition of this period (11:25): It is the time span in