Romans 13:1-14 Responsibilities to Authority and to One Another

Romans 13:1-14 Responsibilities to Authority and to One Another

1. What are the different categories of crimes in the USA? What determines which
   category a crime fits in? Is there a difference between crimes and sins? If there are
   differences, what makes them different? If they are the same, what makes them the
   same? Does the breaking of a law automatically mean that a person has sinned?
2. How do governments serve God?
   If the ruling government is put in place by God, does that mean that the opposing party is
   opposing God?
3. How does a person submit to the governing authorities? Romans 13:6-7
   Give an example of when it would be considered right to resist government? Can you
   provide any Scriptural support for this?
4. Where the governing authorities have shown that they are not serving God by doing
   good to all, how can you be a representative of God in your homes, in your places of
   work, and in your relationships?
5. Paul presents love as the remedy for all relational problems. He states that love is the
   fulfilling of the law, Romans 13:8,10. How have you experienced love either as a remedy
   or have used love as a remedy?
6. What are some of the ways that these statements challenge you? Romans 13:9 “…You
   shall not commit adultery; you shall not murder; you shall not steal; you shall not covet;
   you shall love your neighbor as yourself”?
7. What is it that Paul identifies as the urgent reason to practice righteous living? Romans
   13:11-12
8. In Romans 13, Paul outlines our responsibilities to authorities and our responsibilities to
   one another. Which of these areas is God pointing out to you that you must show
   yourself to be a better representative of His? Put in place a plan of action to address
   what God has pointed out to you. Verses 13 and 14 give us a hint.