Maadi Women's Bible Study

10. Join Us at the Table a Study in Romans (ch.1:18-32)

Questions

1. Do you struggle to accept the reality of God’s wrath? Why or why not
2. Share how understanding the depth of your own sin, and God’s just wrath on that sin, has helped deepen your appreciation for Christ’s work on the cross.
3. Paul says that what we worship determines our behavior. Do you see the connection between worship and behavior in your own life?
4. When sharing the gospel do you begin by sharing the the good news first or the bad news? Why?

9. Join Us at the Table a Study in Romans (ch.1:16-18 You Are Loved, Called, and Holy)

1. What would you say is your life “thesis” right now? How does Paul’s life thesis (the gospel) both challenge and encourage your own? (1:16-17)
2. How does realizing you’re a saint affect the way you respond to sin in your life?

8. Join Us at the Table a Study in Romans (ch. 11Has Israel been Rejected?)

Questions

How does the concept of a “remnant” encourage you in the midst our current culture where all seem to have abandoned God?

Who do you know you in your life that you have written off as outside of God’s reach or interest? How does this passage change your thinking about that person?

At the end of Romans 11, vs. 33-36 Paul shares a deep satisfaction that God’s wisdom, His knowledge, ways, plans, and judgement are perfect beyond what we can imagine. What do these verses inspire in you?

7. Join Us at the Table a Study in Romans (ch. 9)

1. How does the concept of election and sovereignty bring you comfort? What questions does it raise within you?
2. Does Paul’s answer to the question of verse 9:19 satisfy you? Why/why not? 
3. The basis of God’s expression of mercy is our disobedience. Disobedience is our status quo into which God shows mercy. How do you wrestle with this truth that you were born into sin and fully deserving of condemnation? (Rom. 11:30-33)

6. Join Us at the Table a Study in Romans (ch.12:14-21, 13:11-14)

Questions

1. Paul calls out the sleepers and the slothful which do you think most applies to you?
2. What thoughts arise when you see that Paul lists quarreling and jealousy on the same level plane as orgies and drunkenness?
3. Paul speaks of taking off and putting on. What is a specific thing that you know needs to be “taken off”? Can you share and then pray specifically for one another to remove this ugly piece of clothing?

5. Join Us at the Table a Study in Romans (ch.12:3-8)

Questions

1) Read 1 Cor 12:4-11, Eph. 4:11-13, 1 Peter 4:10-11

Make a list of all the various gifts mentioned, underline the repeated ones.

1. In what settings or situations do you often find yourself being  “superminded?” 
2. What do you think or have you come to understand, is your God given assignment or gift to use in the body of Christ?
3. What are your thoughts on leaning into your assignment as a technique of combatting supermindedness?
4. The gifts that Paul mentioned in his various listings are shaped by the needs of those particular congregations. What gifts do you see a need for in your church today? 

4. Join Us at the Table a Study in Romans

Notes

Missed point from last weeks discussion on Weak/Strong. The idea of ch. 13 concerning the believers response to government authority. This was primarily aimed at the Jewish listener who leaned towards a zealousness and a resistance to authority and paying taxes. The weak of Rome were tempted by this zealous option under a heavy tax burden.

Christoformity expresses itself through a God orientation...a Body of Christ orientation, and a Public orientation.

Questions

1. Christ calls us to be like him and step down from our place of privilage and power and enter into a messy story. What would this look like in your life?
2. Why is being a living sacrifice so much harder than offering a costly animal for sacrifice?

 

3. Join Us at the Table a Study in Romans (ch. 14-15)

The weak and the strong

1. As an individual make a list of issues that you consider as “matters of conscience” (not a clear biblical or moral teaching for or against an issue) but that are, at times in our current Christian culture, being treated as certainties. Share your lists and see if others have said the same things. What are some ideas that are different from your list.  Answer with gentleness recognizing that at your table there are likely different opinions just liken Rome.
2. Consider how you view Christians who have different convictions from you. In your thoughts or words, have you shown disdain or judgement toward them? Have you felt that others have judged you or disdained you for your different convictions?

2. Join Us at the Table a Study in Romans (We are starting at ch 16)

Those in Rome being Greeted

Phoebe- (F)

Prisca-(F) Prisca’s name is listed before her husband’s in four of the six times

Aquila-tentmaker by trade, a profitable but not high class profession. 

Epaenetus-“Beloved” first convert in Asia

Mary-(F) worked hard for you

Andronicus-

Junia-(F) likely married to Andronicus

Ampliatus-

Urbanus-

Stachys-

Apelles-

Aristobulus-

Herodian-

Narcissus-

Tryphaena-(F) worker in the Lord

Tryphosa-(F) worker in the Lord

Persis-(F)

Rufus-

Rufus’ mother-(F)

Asyncritus-

Phlegon-

Hermes-

Patrobas-

Hermas-(likely a woman)

Philologus-

Julia-(F)

Nereus-

Olympas-(F)

With Paul in Corinth

Tertius- v. 22 the actual writer of the letter. 

Gaius- v.23

Erastus-

Quartus-

Questions

1. Have you ever attended a house church? How do you think a Roman house church would have differed from your current church experience? What do you think are some of the strengths and weaknesses of a small fellowship group?
2. Have you ever fellowshipped in an environment where you were a part of the minority group not only in number, but in power and privilage as well? (It is very possible to be in the minority number wise, but still have the majority of power and privilage)  Describe some of the challenges and the strengths.
3.  How does understanding more about ancient letter writing influence your thoughts about Paul’s letter writing?

1. Join Us at the Table a Study in Romans (Intro)

4 Layers of Context

Narrative Context: Where does the book lie with in the larger Biblical narrative?

Cultural Context: What is the culture(s) into which the book or letter was written? 

Situational Context: What is the relationship between the author and the recipients

Literary Context: “We must avoid the modern misconception: Paul and the apostles wrote their letters in solitude producing a single unedited daft that was hastily sent, or that Paul used a secretary to whom he dictated his letters word for word and then signed and sent the original draft. This mental image is completely out of sync with everything we know about letter writing in the ancient Greco-Roman world of 1st century” T. Mackie