Study Topic for this Week

Session 9: Transformation Romans 12:1-2

the goal of this study is to allow God to change us, to make us new people... by the love God offers us through Christ.

Where do we go from here?
Ho do I grow?

We, as humans, are instinctively wired to grow.

Romans 12:1-2 "I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect."

The basics of Gods plan and process for transformation.
  1. Basis: mercy ~ kind of like grace... help those who haven't necessarily earned it. God reaches out.
  2. Goal: wisdom ~ knowing the right answers and being able to put them in action, discerning God's will.
  3. Process: The world gives us two strategies to be transformed
  • Mind~ Self Help, change the way you think and it will change your life.
  • Body~ Eat right, Exercise, change your eating and exercising habits and all will be well.
Paul uses both of these ways in Romans 12:1-2; If you want to change you have to do something with your mind and you have to do something with your body.

  • Mind ~ Don't conform to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your minds; to change your ways of thinking... so you can discern the will of God. Think about what is TRUE! Let your self talk be saturated with the truth of the Gospel. Our/Your status or approval is not found in ANYTHING except God.
  • Body ~ Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. Paul is talking about obedience... what we know God wants us to do. Understanding it as worship.

Concentrate on the truth ~ to think ~ Try to arrange your life so that you are feasting on the truth.
Consecrate ~ Offer God your hands, eyes, feet, ears... everything. to obey ~ Figure out what habits you have that are not serving God.


Next Weeks Focus:
A Lived Gospel
Chapters 13:8-10