FCC Vision Statement: Building on Exposition, Centering on Christ, Dying in Community, Serving on Mission

Romans 1:8-12

8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you 10 always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you— 12 that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.

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The Heart Behind the Ministry, Part 1— Pastor Lonnie D. Bell, Jr.
Romans 1:8-12
Sermon Series: Romans (8th sermon)
May 3, 2020

DEEP SHEET: Sermon Study Questions
1.   Why does Paul begin his letter by revealing his heart towards his readers? What does this tell us about the relationship between love and doctrine?
2.   How would Paul’s gratitude towards God have encouraged his readers? How does this apply to us as we minister to fellow Christians?
3.   How does gratitude protect against envy?
4.   Why does Paul bring God forward as a witness? What effect would this have had on the Roman Christians?
5.   How does Paul describe his prayers in this passage? What would this kind of praying look like in our lives?
6.   Discuss how Paul’s words encourage “longing with patience” as we work through this COVID-19 situation as a church.
7.   What does the clarification in v. 12 imply about all Christians?

References: Ephesians 4:12; 5:20; Colossians 3:17; Romans 11:33-36; Colossians 3:23; Ephesians 6:18; Romans 15:23; 2 Corinthians 5:2; 1 Peter 2:2.