Throughout our lives, it can be so easy to rely on our own strength, our own knowledge and our own endurance to run this race of life. That is not what God has called us into. God, through Christ, has shown us what it means to serve one another in love and humility. God has called us into hope by relying on the scriptures and the message of endurance from a God of encouragement. So through humility, just as Christ humbled himself, let us love one another and praise the God of endurance, strength and encouragement.

Romans 15:4-13

4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.

5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews on behalf of God’s truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written:

“Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles;

I will sing the praises of your name.”

10 Again, it says,

“Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people.”

11 And again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles;

let all the peoples extol him.”

12 And again, Isaiah says,

“The Root of Jesse will spring up,

one who will arise to rule over the nations;

in him the Gentiles will hope.”

13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ Through what might we have hope in vs. 4?
+ What is the outcome of our similar attitudes towards each other? How does God use it? Vs. 5-6.
+ According to vs. 7, why should we accept one another? What is our motivation?
+ In vs. 8, what example did Christ set for mankind?
+ What point is being made in vs. 9-12? Who is praising God?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ How have I responded to the example of love and acceptance that Christ has set for me?

+ What attitude have I had with the body of Christ and how have I relied on the endurance and strength of God?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?