Romans 6:15-19 Obedient From the Heart
Observation questions are in plain type. Interpretation questions are in italics. Application questions are in bold. (For a further explanation of how to do this Bible study, see here.)
Pray for a deeper understanding of what it means to no longer be a slave to sin but to instead be “obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching.”
Read Romans 6.
Romans 6:15-19
1. Paul asks “What then?” connecting his next question to the previous verse. What question does he then ask?
2. Why might Christians’ status as “not under law but under grace” cause them to think they are free to sin?
3. What is Paul’s answer to his question?
4. Paul explains his answer further with another question. If one gives herself to anyone as an obedient slave, she is a slave to the one she obeys. What are the two choices Paul presents, and where does each one lead?
5. What does Paul thank God for?
6. What is the standard of teaching to which the members of the church in Rome were committed? See Acts 2:42; 2 Timothy 1:13 and Titus 1:9, 2:1.
7. How does your life show you are committed to this standard?
8. How do churches today show their commitment to this standard?
9. The people in the church at Rome were once slaves to sin but now have been “set free from sin” and “have become slaves of righteousness.” Does this mean they no longer sin? Explain your answer. What does it mean to be a “slave of righteousness”?
10. What is the significance of being “obedient from the heart”? See Romans 2:28-29.
11. How is Paul speaking, and why?
12. They once presented their members as slaves to impurity and lawlessness. What did this lead to, and how does Paul now want them to use their members?
13. Where does this slavery to righteousness lead?
14. Why do you think Paul needs to explain to his readers that he’s speaking in human terms because of their natural limitations?
15. How does sin lead to more lawlessness, and how does righteousness lead to sanctification? (What does sanctification mean?)
16. Notice the progression when we present our members. If we present them as slaves to impurity and lawlessness, it leads to more lawlessness. If we present them as slaves to righteousness, it leads to sanctification. Have you seen this to be true? Give a real-life example of sin leading to more lawlessness and an example of righteousness leading to sanctification:
17. Think about the sin you are fighting. Do you find this principle of progression true when you give in to that sin? Do you find that your sanctification progresses when you refuse to give in to it and instead present your members as slaves to righteousness? Explain:
18. Considering this sin, what helps you be “obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed”?
*Previous questions for Romans 6 can be found here and here. New questions will be posted each Monday, Lord willing. Look for devotionals on Wednesdays.
Order Keri’s book The Good Portion: Scripture. See her Delighting in the Word Bible Studies. Find the other Good Portion Books.