- Johnny Sharpe
- Jul 18
- 4 min read
Romans 12:1-2
This is the first study in a new series - a series about sanctification, of how God's Spirit changes us day by day, and how we can join in with the process of change. God invites us to actively join in with what He is doing: to "press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me."
As a group, share together about some ways that you have experienced personal change or transformation as a Christian. How has God changed your heart, your mind, your habits, your priorities, or your behaviour? What was different about you before? What (if anything) did you have to do to join in with the transforming work of God?
We're going to look at a couple of key verses on this topic, in four parts (colour coded below)
Read Romans 12:1-2:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
"In view of God's mercy"
What do you think Paul means by this phrase? [1]
How do we give more of our mind's attention to God's mercy?
What transformation would you expect if you devoted more of you thought-life to these things?
"Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice..."
What does this phrase make you think of? (Perhaps think back to our recent Exodus series...?)
Why do you think Paul says "bodies" here? Don't we normally talk of giving our hearts to God? [2]
What transformation would you expect if you used more of your time to do concrete 'good deeds' as acts of sacrificial worship to God?
"Do not conform to the pattern of this world"
What does this phrase mean to you? What aspects of the world do you feel most tempted to conform to?
Read 2 Corinthians 10:3-5
How do we "take every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ"?
Take a few moments now to reflect on your own life. Which of these patterns do you need to change in your own life? (Have someone read each item one minute at a time, and take time to consider the pattern of the world vs. the pattern of Christ for each area):
How you prioritise your time or energy
How you measure greatness or success
How you respond to evil in yourself
How you respond to evil in the world
The value of money and/or possessions
The dignity of all human beings
How to treat those you disagree or have conflict with
Your attitude to sex/lust
How you joke or laugh about others
Choose one or two areas that really stand out to you as areas you want to work on with God's help. Ask him to renew your mind in this area.
"Be transformed by the renewing of your mind..."
How, then, do we have our minds renewed? [3]
What is our role in this process?
Do you always want to do God's will - does it always seem 'good, pleasing and perfect' to you? Why/why not?
How can you grow and develop your 'approval' of His will in your life? What might that look like for you?
Read 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
Spend some time praying together, inviting the Holy Spirit to work in your heart, mind, body and soul, to change us from the inside out, conforming us more and more to the likeness of Christ.
[1] John Stott helpfully summarises the way the word mercy has been used so far in Paul's letter to the Romans:
For eleven chapters Paul has been unfolding the mercies of God. Indeed, the gospel is precisely God’s mercy to inexcusable and undeserving sinners, in giving his Son to die for them, in justifying them freely by faith, in sending them his life-giving Spirit, and in making them his children.
[2] Romans 6:12-14 is a helpful text for understanding this more fully:
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
[3] Galatians 5:22-25 is a helpful text for understanding this more fully:
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
Comments