Romans Worksheet - Chapter 13

 

Review & Conclusion of Romans:

Romans 1-3 demonstrated man's need for righteousness.  Romans 4-5 examined the faith of one who is declared righteous before God.  Romans 6-8 showed how faith releases the Spirit of God to do in a believer what the law could not do; to truly transform the believer by the Spirit within them.  Romans 9-11 went back into history and to the future to show us that God began the nation of Israel to bring about glory to His Name to the earth and that He will complete and fulfill all the promises to the nation of Israel after the age of the church is complete.  Now, in Romans 12-16, Paul will return to the major theme to show how God's righteousness through the Holy Spirit shows expression in the new community, the body of Christ, the church.  We will see that the life of faith is never intended to be lived out alone, but we are dependent on one another in the body of Christ and we help one another in our personal victories over sin.  Amen!

Romans Chapter 13

This chapter is a continuation in Paul's letter to the Romans. 

1.  You could continue the list we were making in Chapter 12 for how we are to live as a living sacrifice unto God and make your next item be: (vs. 1)

• Every person is to be in _________to the __________authorities.

2.  Who has established every governing authority in our lives? vs. 1 -

Name another responsibility we have toward men in authority as believers.  Comment on these verses:

• 1 Timothy 2:1-4 -

3.  If we resist governing authority in our lives, who are we actually opposing? vs. 2 -

4.  What will come upon us if we resist governing authorities? vs. 2 - 

• What does Peter teach about our authorities?  Read 1 Peter 2:13-20 -
• According to the Scriptures given, how is a Christian to react when the authorities seems unfair in their treatment to us?
• What is the goal of our behavior? 1 Peter 2:12; 15 -
• How does this apply in a marriage between a woman and her husband? 1 Peter 3:1-4 -

It appears that many times we are put in the life of an authority figure to be a witness to them and to bring God's glory in their presence.

Back to Romans 13:

5.  When authorities are ruling under the proper order, they are not there to punish good behavior, but evil. 

• Therefore, what is the way to avoid being fearful of proper authorities in your life? vs. 3 -

6.  What are the authorities in our lives called? vs. 4a -

• What are they set in place to encourage us to do? vs. 4 -

7.  Does the Bible teach that we are to pay taxes to our governing authorities? 

• Why is this so? vs. 5-7 -

Note:  God has introduced the institution of human government as a restraining influence on sin and has permitted it the use of force.  But the function of government is clearly limited:  it is commissioned to restrain wrongdoing.  Christians are to subject themselves to secular authorities "for conscience sake", and not just for fear of possible punishment.  The Christian is to live as a good citizen of his country and society. When civil rulers overstep their proper function, the Christian is to obey God as his highest order of law.

  Comment on the following verses:

• Acts 4:13-22 -
• Acts 5:25-32 -

8.  What debt do we owe all of mankind? vs. 8 -

To love is the one debt that is never paid off.  No matter how much one has loved, he is under obligation to keep on loving.

9.  When we truly love our neighbor or fellow man, we have fulfilled the law.

• How does love fulfill all the other commandments?  Explain using vs.8-10 -

10. When we love in this way, what are we to recognize about the time we are living in? vs. 11 -

11.  The night is almost gone, and the day is near.  Because of the seriousness of the hour in which we live, what should we lay aside?  What should we put on? vs. 12 -

12.  We are to behave properly always as in the daylight.  Names the areas we are not to participate in - vs. 13 -

• 1)
• 2)
• 3)
• 4)
• 5)
• 6)

13.  Who are we to 'put on'? vs. 14 -

14.  What are we not to make any provision for? vs. 14 -

Application:

Are you willingly obeying the laws of the land?  Think about areas such as speeding, parking in marked zones, and other things that seem harmless in your mind but would not honor God. Do you respect all authority even if you might disagree with policies they make? Do you realize that whoever is in governing authority is put there by God? Will you pay taxes to whom taxes are due without complaint, but thankfulness for God's servants? Have you prayed for those in authority positions in your life today?  Will you try to remember to pray for them daily? Who are those that have authority in your life?  Parents?  Husband?  Pastor?  City, County, State, and National Leaders of the Land?  Law Enforcement Officers?  Do you realize you have a debt, an obligation to love others as Christ has loved you?  Who will you make payment to today with your attitudes and service?  You are to owe them nothing else but love and yet love will fulfill the laws of God every time. Have you dressed in Jesus today?  Have you put Him on?  Walking in the Spirit, you will allow the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in your life and you will not carry out the deeds of the flesh.  You are under grace and you can keep your flesh under subjection to God's spirit by His grace.  Say no to the lusts of the flesh today. Comment on Galatians 5:16-25 -

Your summary and prayer today:

Written by Brenda LeMoine for Heart & Home Bible Fellowship© with permission to use on RTB sites only. For personal or ministry related use, please email Brenda for permission and conditions.