(UPCOMING MESSAGE) (Romans Series-2) Paul's Prayer and Vision

PAUL’S PRAYER AND VISION

Romans 1:8–12 (Go to ESV Bible Verses)

Key Verse: 1:10 " always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God's will I may now at last succeed in coming to you."

1. In verse 8, how does Paul describe his gratitude? Why is he so grateful for this?
2. In verse 9a, how and why does he describe the way he has served God?
3. In verses 9b–10, how and why does he describe his prayers? (For more context, see also verse 13a and 15:19–20,22–23.)
4. In verse 11, how does he describe what he wants? In verse 12, how and why does he immediately clarify this?
5. In light of 15:14–16, what might be the “spiritual gift” he wants to share with them? In light of 16:25–26, what would make them “strong”? How can we have Paul’s vision?
6. Review in 1:8–12 what we learn from Paul about how we all should be serving God today. What stands out most to you, and why?

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References:

Q3: 15:19–20,22–23: “...by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God––so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ; and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation…This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you…”

Q5: 15:14–16: “I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”

16:25–26: “Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith…”