True Worship
* One definition of "worship" is "reverence (honor, devotion, veneration, awe) offered a divine being or supernatural power; also: an act of expressing such reverence."

1. When you hear the word "worship," what do you think about?

* Paul begins Romans 12 with the word "therefore." In response to everything Paul has said in Romans 1-11, what should his readers do? Read Romans 12:1-2.

2. What is "worship" according to these verses? What does it mean?

"It is not only what we can give that God demands; He demands the giver" (Wilckens).

3. What does Paul mean by saying, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world" (12:2)?

4. How are we "transformed?" How does this take place? What is the result?

Doing Our Part
* Our worship of God involves "doing our part." Read Romans 12:3-8. Paul says, "think of yourself with sober judgment" (12:3). Sober judgment involves not thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought. We need to think of ourselves in a humble and honest way.

5. Paul uses the analogy of the human body to help us think of ourselves with sober judgment (12:4-5). How does this analogy help our thinking?

6. Paul says Christians have different "gifts" (charismata) according to the "grace" (charin) given them. How should this affect our acceptance and appreciation of the gifts and abilities given to people, whether they are given to us, or to others?

Thinking of Yourself
* One Bible scholar says the first command in Romans 12:3-8 is simply "Know yourself." He suggests that we gain self-knowledge by prayerfully asking the following questions.

~ What are my gifts and abilities?

~ What is the deepest desire of my heart?

~ Where do I personally sense the needs of the world and feel the brokenness in God's creation?

~ What is my unique personality and temperament?

* He also says it is important to realize that our self-knowledge happens in community. Thus others can help us gain self-knowledge. For example, other mature believers in the church can help us identify our gifts and abilities, and also help us develop them.

* Through the process of prayerful self-evaluation, we can better discern what God wants us to be and do. God has given us gifts and abilities for a reason. We are called to be faithful to exercise those gifts and abilities in accordance with God's purposes.

Reflection/Application
† Who, or what, do you "worship?" To whom, or what, do you give your supreme devotion? (It may not be a supernatural being.) Is he/she or it truly worthy of worship? The Bible says that worship of God (the only One who is truly worthy of worship) starts with faith in Christ.

† As a Christian, how would you describe your worship? Is it in accordance with Romans 12:1-2? Commit to obey Romans 12:1-2 and make it your daily prayer. As a Christian, are you exercising the gifts and abilities God has given you? Are you doing your part? To be faithful in exercising your gifts, what do you need to do?