Romans 13- Life Group Questions

Paul starts this section talking about heeding governmental authorities which is ironic coming from a man constantly in trouble for defying the governmental authorities. But he did it is specific ways. Ways were he thought the laws of man were against the ways of love he talks about in Romans 13:8. His life helps us interpret this passage when we see how he lived that out. We often interpret people’s actions from our perspective instead of trying to use positive imagination to develop empathy for them. The best way to understand people who differ from us is to have curious conversations with them while using positive imagination to see how they could have gotten their innocently and honestly. This is often taught as a technique to couples who are struggling to get along; to curiously imagine from a positive perspective what the other person’s motivations might be. When we get inside people’s stories we become less judgmental and sometimes even earn the right to help them change.

1. First though, answer honestly about how you are doing in light of what is going on in the world.

2. Reread Romans 13:8. What do you think it means that “Whoever loves has fulfilled the law.” How did Paul fulfill the law while preaching his faith which was against the law? How can someone be fulfilling the law while they stand against oppressive laws like Paul did?

3. Using the skill of positive imagination try and give the perspective of someone you disagree with. Don’t use an extreme example but someone you might even know and care for. Try to imagine their motivations being good and pure. Try to imagine what they must be experiencing emotionally. Imagine what goes through their mind. Share the experience of trying to see through their eyes. Take a minute to imagine this before you share.

4. Reread Romans 13: 11-12. Paul is speaking hope from a dark place when he thinks about the whole of the story and not just his immediate reality. How can you do the same right now? What would that look like?