FAMILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
November 27-December 3, 2011
Sunday, November 27
Call the family together.
Pray.
Read: Romans15:1-6
Ask: Who are we to strive to please when it comes to questions of conduct on issues that are non-essential to salvation? (We are to strive to please our neighbor. We should pursue peace with those who have a different point of view on what is right or wrong. We do not selfishly assert our rights but treat others with kindness and consideration.)
What will this due for the Christian who is struggling with an issue? (It will build him up and encourage him.)
Who set the example for such behavior? (Jesus Christ set the example for us because he did not live to please Himself.)
What is our source of encouragement? (The example of Jesus is recorded in the Bible as are many other lessons and example that help us trust confidently in Christ.)
Lesson: As long as we live in this world Christians will have different views on issues that are not essential to salvation. They will disagree on appropriate clothing, what a person should eat or drink, whether Sunday or Saturday is holy, and a host of other topics. We are to live to please the other and forfeit perceived liberties for the unity of the church and the sake of new believers. Since Christ laid down His life for us, we also can lay down our lives for each other.
Memory Verse: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NKJ)
Pray: Pray that you would treat others with the same attitude of Jesus.
Monday, November 28
Call the family together.
Pray.
Read: Romans15: 7-13
Ask: How are we to receive or accept each other? (The same way that Christ accepted us. Despite our sins, flaws and failures, we have been accepted into the family of God through Christ. We should extend to others that same grace.)
What two groups does Paul mention that God has accepted? (He has accepted those who come to Christ who are a part of Israel. These are the descendants of Abraham and the ones with whom God made a covenant that was symbolized through circumcision. Secondly, God has accepted the Gentiles who come to Him through Christ. The Gentiles are everyone who is not a Jew. This is the rest of the world. God accepts anyone who comes to Him through His Son, Jesus Christ.)
What will the Gentiles now do according to verse 9? (They will glorify God for His mercy.)
What does Paul quote to illustrate this point? (He quotes from four different Old Testament texts: Psalms 18:49, Deuteronomy 32:43, Psalms 117:1 and Isaiah 11:1,10)
How is God described in verse 13 and what will He do? (He is called the God of hope who is the One who will fill you with joy and peace and cause you to overflow with hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.)
Lesson: Jesus Christ has modeled for us how we should accept others. Both Jews and Gentiles are welcomed to God’s presence because of Jesus Christ. In following Christ, we should love and accept each other who are in Christ. The Christian should live with joy and peace as they are filled with the Holy Spirit and overflow with hope in God’s presence, promises and power.
Memory Verse: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NKJ)
Pray: Thank God for accepting you. Pray that you might live in a way that glorifies Him.
Tuesday, November 29
Call the family together.
Pray.
Read: Romans15: 14-21
Ask: Of what is Paul confident? (He is confident that the Christians in Rome are filled with goodness and knowledge and are teaching and encouraging others.)
Why does Paul write more boldly to them? (He writes more boldly because God appointed him as an apostle to the Gentiles specifically and to share the gospel with them.)
In what does Paul feel freedom to boast? (He does not boast about himself but about what God has done in the Gentiles through his ministry. He does boast about what others have done, but only what God has accomplished through him.)
How did God confirm the message Paul preached? (He confirmed the message through signs and miracles through the power of the Holy Spirit.)
What was Paul’s goal according to verse 20? (His goal was preach the gospel where it had not been preached before. HE wanted to go where no one had yet ministered the good news of Jesus.)
Lesson: It is a good thing to glory in the Lord Jesus. We should praise God for what He has done in our lives and in the lives of others. We should also make it our goal to make sure that everyone hears the gospel. The good news is for all the world and it is the privilege of the believer to share it with the world.
Memory Verse: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NKJ)
Pray:
Wednesday, November 30
Call the family together.
Pray.
Read: Romans15:22-33
Ask: So what has kept Paul from coming to Rome? (He has been busy preaching the gospel in other areas where it had not yet been heard.)
What were his plans? (His plans were to come to Rome and stay there with the believers for a time before going on to Spain.)
What were his immediate plans? (He first wanted to go to Jerusalem to minister to the Christians there and take an offering to assist those in need.)
Who gave the offering? (The offering was given by Gentile Christians to assist Jewish Christians.)
For what does Paul plead in verse 30? (He pleads to them that they will pray for him diligently so that he will be delivered from those who oppose the gospel and be able to come to Rome safely.)
Lesson: Paul had travel plans. His plans dealt with helping the hurting Christians, encouraging the churches along the way, and coming to Rome and then to Spain to share the gospel. What plans do you have? How does God and His purposes work into your plans? How important is prayer in accomplishing the vision God has given you?
Memory Verse: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NKJ)
Pray: Pray that God would guide your steps and your plans. Pray for the missionaries scattered around the world as they seek to share the gospel where it has not been heard.
Thursday, December 1
Call the family together.
Pray.
Read: Romans 16:1-16
Ask: Who does Paul commend to the church? (He commends a lady named Phoebe who is from the church in Chechrea.)
Why would he do this? (Phoebe is probably traveling to Rome and will stay with members of that church. Having a letter of commendation from Paul would put the church at ease concerning her. They are instructed to help her in whatever she needs.)
Where did most churches meet according to verse 5? (Most churches met in the houses of the members. The church in Jerusalem met some in the court of the temple. Meeting in a member’s house was customary and lent itself to small group fellowship, Bible study and meals.)
What does Paul mean in verse 5 by referring to the “firstfruits of Achaia”? (The man, Epaenetus, was evidently one of the first believers in Christ in that region.)
What does he mean in verse 13 with the phrase, “…his mother and mine”? (Either the man is Paul’s brother, or, more likely, his mother became like a mother to Paul and a familiar home in which to stay.)
Lesson: Paul had many special friends that assisted him in his ministry of preaching the gospel. Some in the list are mentioned other places but many are not. He mentions many simply as “brethren” (vs. 14) or “saints” (vs. 15) or “the household” (vs. 10). Everyone has a part to play in serving the Lord and sharing the gospel. Though our names may never be known we are greatly loved by God and important to His Kingdom and work. We serve the Lord out of love and not for notoriety or popularity. The phrase “household” also would refer to the slaves of that house. What a joy to know that even though I am the lowest of positions on this earth, I am of great value to the Lord.
Memory Verse: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NKJ)
Pray: Thank God for
Friday, December 2
Call the family together.
Pray.
Read: Romans16:17-20
Ask: After all of these greetings, what does Paul do? (He gives a warning. He wants the church to be on guard against false teachers who would divide the fellowship and teach faulty doctrine.)
What are they to do with them? (They are to avoid them. They are to accept Phoebe (vs.1), but avoid any false teachers who come in with smooth words and deceitful speech.)
Do these people serve Christ? (No. They serve themselves. They promote themselves and gain a following by deceiving the simple.)
What does Paul instruct the church in verse 19? (They are to be wise in what is good and innocent in evil. The New Living reads: “I want you to see clearly what is right and to stay innocent of any wrong.”)
How is God described in verse 20? (He is the God of peace. In Romans 15:13 He was called “the God of hope.” God has brought peace between us and Himself through Jesus Christ. He also has enabled peace between us and others. Romans 5:1 says “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
What victory are we assured of? (God will crush Satan under our feet! What a promise. Jesus crushed Satan at the cross. This was prophesied in Genesis 3:15 when God told the serpent that the Seed of the woman will “bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.” This prophecy is about Jesus.)
Lesson: We must stay on guard constantly against false teaching in the church that is packaged in smooth words but undermines the gospel of Jesus. We must diligently teach truth to equip people to win the spiritual battles of life. We can also live with confidence knowing that God wins in the end and we win with Him!
Memory Verse: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NKJ)
Pray: Thank God for the ultimate victory we have in Jesus Christ.
Saturday, December 3
Call the family together.
Pray.
Read: Romans 16:21-27
Ask: Who does Paul mention as fellow workers who greet the church in Rome? (He mentions several names in verse 21 but begins with Timothy who was a constant companion to Paul.)
Who is Tertius in verse 22? (Tertius penned the letter and so must have served as Paul’s secretary. It is suggested that Paul’s eye sight was failing and he needed help writing. Tertius, the secretary, adds his own word of greeting.)
Who is Gauis? (Gauis owns the home in which Paul stayed when he wrote the letter.)
Who else met in the home of Gaius? (The church met in his home for worship, study and fellowship.)
What is God able to do for the church in verse 25? (He is able to establish them.)
What is the mystery that has been kept secret? (The mystery or hidden secret is that God would save the Gentiles as well as the Jews through the Messiah and build one church from the two groups.)
To whom is this message going? (It is going to all the nations because all the world can be saved through faith in Jesus Christ.)
Who alone deserve the power and glory? (God alone deserves the power and glory through Jesus Christ forever and ever!)
Lesson: Romans is a book revealing the work of salvation that comes through faith alone and by grace alone. Christ is the end of righteousness for all who believe. It is not our works but God’s grace. This salvation is for all people. The mystery has been revealed and is still being proclaimed the world over. “Joy to the world, the Lord is come!”
Memory Verse: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13, NKJ)
Pray: Thank God for the salvation you have in Christ. Pray that you would gladly share it with others.