Meet needs and bless haters

Romans: The Gospel for God’s glory
Romans 12:13-14
Meet needs and bless haters
Meet the saints’ needs and bless those who persecute you

These verses are working out further what it means to present your whole life to God as a living sacrifice, and being transformed by the renewal of your mind to discern the good, acceptable, perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2.
Romans 12:13–14 — 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.

1) Contribute to the needs of the saints, 12:13a.
The word contribute means to share.
Acts 2:44–45 — 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common (share). 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
What are some of the needs that the saints have? What are ways we can meet the needs of the saints? Share some ways you have seen people meet the needs of the saints.

2) Seek to show hospitality, 12:13b.
“Seek to show” can be more literally translated “pursue”. Paul means to take the initiative, or to be eager to provide hospitality.
The word hospitality means “love strangers”. Why is hospitality so important in Christian community? What are ways we can show hospitality?

3) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them, 12:14.
Do American Christians need to be concerned about being persecuted for their faith? 2 Timothy 3:12, “ALL who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” What are examples of the ways we might be persecuted? What are examples of ways Christians are persecuted in Africa, Middle East, and in Asia?

What does it mean to bless our enemies? Matthew 5:44, But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. Luke 6:28, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 1 Peter 3:9, Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.
What are ways we can bless our enemies? Why is this so important for the sake of the gospel?