Romans: A Living Sacrifice
In today’s world, the concept of presenting our lives as a living sacrifice to God can be hard to understand. Because many of us, especially those living in first world countries, have built up comfortable lives where we get along with the world yet still call ourselves Christians. Very rarely do we find ourselves paying the cost - giving something up for Christ, something valuable to us, something that will leave us with an open need. And very few have been called to give up our lives for the sake of Christ.
Read Romans 12:1-2 and journal through the following questions this week:
What does Paul urge us to do? (v. 1)
What do you think this means practically?
Read Proverbs 3:9-10, Nehemiah 10:35, Proverbs 3:9, Ezekiel 44:30, Leviticus 23:10-14 and Deuteronomy 18:4.
Since Christ is our sin offering, what kind of sacrifice can we offer to God with our bodies?
From what part of our lives does this sacrifice come from?
What does it look like to give God our best, not our leftovers?
Read Psalm 51:17, Ephesians 5:1-2, Galatians 2:20, Luke 9:24, Hebrews 13:16. What do these passages tell us about what it takes to live a life of sacrifice?
How is this kind of sacrifice different from the animal sacrifices in the Old Testament?
To fully be at God’s disposal and offer yourself as a living sacrifice means to be willing to obey God in anything He says in any area of life and to be willing to thank God for anything he sends in any area of life.
How are you currently living as a sacrifice?
In what areas of your life do you need to offer God your best, in a way that costs?
What does it look like to be conformed to the world?
What does it mean to be “transformed by the renewal of your mind”?
How can you renew your mind? See Psalm 51:10, Colossians 3:10-12, Titus 3:5 and Ephesians 4:22-24
What is the result of a transformed and renewed mind?
Are there ways you need to stop conforming to the outlook and expectation of the world?
Are there areas where you need to pray for inner renewal and transformation?
Reflect & Respond
What does this passage teach me about God?
How does this change the way I live?
Scripture to Memorize
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” -Romans 12:2
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Yelena is the founder and editor in chief Tirzah. Yelena works as an attorney in tax and in her spare time, she is working on her first book for unmarried twenty-something women in extended waiting seasons and running Tirzah. She has a passion for pointing young women to Christ, and enjoys reading, writing, traveling, and spending time with her family. Yelena lives in Indiana with her husband, Daniel.