Romans 12-16 Live as Saints Should Live

1.        Review Romans 13:11 and look for what is “nearer.” Read Ezekiel 3:20; Doctrine and Covenants 14:7; and explain in writing what we must continue doing to work out our salvation.

According to this verse our salvation is “nearer than when we believed.” To work out our salvation we must continue to keep the commandments and endure to the end.

2.    In Romans 12-13 Paul gave much counsel that leads to salvation. Read each of the following verses and list what Paul taught would help lead to salvation:

o       Romans 12:1: Giving their bodies as a living sacrifice.  

o       Romans 12:2: “Renewing of your mind.”

o       Romans 12:9: “Cleave to that which is good.”

o       Romans 12:13: “Distributing to the necessity of saints.”

o       Romans 12:16: “Be of the same mind one toward another.”

o       Romans 12:21: “Overcome evil with good.”

o       Romans 13:1: “ Be subject to the higher powers.”

o       Romans 13:3: “ Do that which is good.”

o       Romans 13:8: “Love one another.”

o       Romans 13:9: “Love thy neighbor as thyself.”

3.    Review Romans 14:1-13; 15:1-3. Then write answers to the following questions:

o       What cautions did Paul give about judging?

He warns that we shouldn’t judge because we will be judged at the judgment seat and if we judge others harshly then that same judgment will be put upon us. He says that we shouldn’t put a stumbling block on anyone else.

  

·               People may have different opinions and practices, but what is most important to remember?

It is important to remember that we are the Lord’s. We need to live our life serving the Lord and building his kingdom. We need to uplift one another and not judge others.

·               What additional insight comes from reading Doctrine and Covenants 38:25-27?

In verse 27 it says: “…be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.” We need to be one in our sights with our Heavenly Father so that we can be kind to our fellow brethren and not judge them. That way we can lift up our fellow brethren.

4.    Review Romans 15:25-26, 31; 16:2, 15. Write the term Paul frequently used to refer to members of the Church in his day.

Paul frequently used the term “Saints” to refer to the members of the church in his day.

Romans 6: 1-13 Baptism

• ·         What must be done with sin before baptism can occur?

Before someone can be baptized they must first repent of their past sins. They have to make corrections to their life and follow the word of wisdom. Big sins must be repented of before one can be baptized.

• ·         What events from Christ’s life are symbolized in baptism?

The events from Christ’s life that are symbolized in baptism are his death, burial, and resurrection.

• ·         Considering this symbolism, why couldn’t someone be baptized by sprinkling?

We believe in being baptized by immersion because it is representative of Christ’s burial. Romans 6:4 says: “…we are buried with him by baptism…” We in a sense are buried in the water by immersion, so being sprinkled would not be enough because it would not represent a full burial. The bible dictionary states that baptism can only be done by immersion because “any other method is not baptism.”

• ·         What do these verses teach us about how we can maintain the “newness of life?”

We need to avoid sin and follow Christ’s path and stay clean. Verse 6 tells us that “we should not serve sin.”

• ·         According to Mosiah 3:19, what part of us would ideally die at baptism?

This scripture tells us that the natural man is an enemy to God, so the “natural man” is the part of us that should ideally die at baptism.

• ·         Romans 6: 14-23 How we know whose servant we are

Romans 6 verse 18 says: “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” When we are baptized we receive the Holy Ghost and that is part of our “newness of life.” We are cleansed from sin and start life anew. Before we are baptized we are servants of sin and after we are baptized we become servants of righteousness. We know that we serve God because we strive to become more like him and as we are baptized we become converted to righteousness.

• ·         The true source of freedom

Christ suffered for all of us so that we could be freed from sin and by doing so he became the true source of freedom.

2 Corinthians 1; 4; 11–12. God Comforts Us in Tribulation

1.        Review 2 Corinthians 1:3–5; 4:5–17; Hebrews 12:6–7. Write why Paul and Timothy were able to avoid despair despite being troubled, perplexed, persecuted, and cast down. 

Paul and Timothy were able to avoid despair because they had a testimony of God and he is our comforter and is merciful unto his children. He loves us and wants us to feel of his love and mercy. My favorite scriptures that I think define this topic well from this section are 2^nd Corinthians 4: 8-9 “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair...” “Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.”

2.        Explain in writing how the teachings in 2 Corinthians 4:17–18 can help during your tribulations (see also D&C 121:7–8).

These scriptures help us to keep an eternal perspective with our trials. They explain that our suffering will be for a small moment and that we will look back on them and will be grateful for them because they helped us to learn and grow. We may not see the benefits at the time, but “the things that are not seen are eternal” (2^nd Corinthians 4:18)

3.        Review 2 Corinthians 11:24–31; 12:7; institute student manual commentary for 2 Corinthians 11:24, “What Was It Like to Be Scourged by the Jews?” (pp. 304–5); and commentary for 2 Corinthians 12:7–9, “There Was Given to Me a Thorn in the Flesh” (p. 305). In one or two paragraphs, list the similarities you know of between Paul’s life and the life of the Prophet Joseph Smith as described in Doctrine and Covenants 127:2. 

Paul and Joseph Smith both suffered many things for the gospel. They were both mocked and physically hurt in many ways due to all of the persecution of others to the church. They both also found peace in God’s promise to be with them. Joseph Smith in D&C 127:2 says: “I feel, like Paul, to glory in tribulation; for to this day has the God of my fathers delivered me out of them all, and will deliver me from henceforth…” They both knew that their tribulations that they passed through would be for a small moment and that God would give them His power if they would but endure the hardships. 

4.        Read 2 Corinthians 12:7–10; Jacob 4:7; Ether 12:27; Bible Dictionary, “Grace” (p. 697). Write a paragraph detailing the role that grace plays in overcoming our tribulations. 

Grace in the Bible Dictionary says: “The main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ.” The scriptures listed above all give accounts of how God helps us in our weak times to become strong. He literally gives us his strength when we become weak. He allows us to learn and grow through our trials and through that growth we become more like him and are lifted up by his grace. God is there with us, helping us to overcome our tribulations. 

5.    Write a few sentences of how the Lord answered Paul’s prayer in 2 Corinthians 12:7–10. Read Mosiah 24:13–15 and describe in writing what the Lord did to bless the lives of the people experiencing great tribulation without taking away their tribulation. How could that experience help you as you seek the Lord for help in your times of tribulation? 

The Lord answers their prayers by telling them that he will deliver them from bondage and ease their burdens. The Lord tells them that he will do this for them so that they can later stand as His witnesses and know that “he, the Lord does visit his people in their afflictions.”

This can help me keep an eternal perspective as I pass through trials. It is hard to keep a positive attitude about life when everything seems to go so wrong. These scriptures as well as 2^nd Corinthians 4:8-9 have helped me to see that we can still have hope in Christ as we pass through tribulation. He will be there to help us and to give us his strength as we are going through hard times in our lives.

The Impact of Example

1 Corinthians 4:2, 9-17; 8:9-13

• ·         What is required of the servants of the Lord?

1 Corinthians 4:2 says that a man must be found faithful.

• ·         What group was specifically selected to be examples?

Christ’s Apostles

• ·         How does being a good example apply to more than just this group?

We all need to be a good example to others so that we can always be a representative of Christ. Our ultimate goal in life is to become like Christ and so we must be an example of him the best way we know how. You never know who is watching you. If you are not being a good example you might lead someone away from wanting to join the church. If you are striving to be a good example then you will help bring sheep to His fold. Even within the church it is important to be a good example to one another because it helps us build one another. When we see others striving to be their best it helps us to dedicate ourselves to the same cause. It determines us to progress and become better. 

• ·         Why is it not enough to just know what is right? Alma 39: 11-12

It is not enough to just know what is right because the things that we know cannot be seen unless we act on them. We need to be good examples by acting Christ-like and making correct decisions so that we are proving to God who we are serving. When our conduct reflects poorly on the church we may lead others astray and we don’t want that so we need to do good deeds so that we can lead others to Christ. 

• ·         What additional power comes to those who live what they know? 3^rd Nephi 8:1

Those who live what they know will be able to perform “many miracles” as this verse states because they have been cleansed from their iniquities.