Glorify God together

Romans: The Gospel for God’s glory
Romans 15:1-6
Glorify God together
Bear one another’s weaknesses that together you may glorify God

1) We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves, 15:1.

From chapter 14, who are the “strong” and who are the “weak”? What does Paul mean by saying that the strong should bear the failings of the weak and not to please themselves?

2) Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up, 15:2.

In Galatians 6:10, Paul said, “If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” What is the difference between what he says here in Romans and in Galatians?

3) For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on me, 15:3.

Paul quotes from Psalm 69:9. How does Christ’s example of not pleasing himself help us see how the strong should not please themselves?

4) For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope, 15:4.

How does the Old Testament help us endure and encourage us that we might have hope? How do you think this applies to the struggles between the strong and the weak?

In what areas of your life do you need endurance and encouragement from the Scriptures that you may have hope?

5) May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, 6 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15:5-6.

What do you find encouraging about God being the God of endurance and encouragement? Paul has been exhorting them/us to live in harmony. Why does he now say “may grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus”?

What is God’s ultimate purpose in our living in harmony together? How do we glorify God? What is so important about glorifying God together? How do we do this?