Life Shaped by Mercy

Getting started

Choose one question to help the group get to know one another:

• What is one thing you hope this semester will bring?
• What is something you are looking forward to this semester?

Read the passage

Romans 12:1–8

1. A new beginning

Romans 12 begins with the word therefore. For eleven chapters, Paul has explained our need for salvation, God’s mercy through Jesus, life by faith, the gift of the Spirit, and God’s faithfulness to his promises. Only now does he begin to ask how Christians should live.

• What does Paul say is the basis for everything that follows?
• Why does it matter that Christian living begins with God’s mercy?

“I appeal to you therefore … by the mercies of God.”

2. A whole-life response

Read verses 1–2 again.

Paul does not tell Christians to offer a sacrifice for sin. Jesus has already dealt with sin. Instead, Paul tells us to offer ourselves.

• What do you think it means to present our bodies as “a living sacrifice”?
• How is this different from simply trying to become a better person?
• What do you think it means not to be “conformed to this world”?
• Where do university students feel that pressure most?

3. Changed from the inside

Verse 2 says that transformation happens through “the renewal of your mind”.

• According to these verses, what needs to change?
• Why do you think Paul speaks about the mind rather than only behaviour?
• What are some ways God renews our minds?

4. We do not follow Jesus alone

Read verses 3–8 again.

Notice how quickly Paul moves from offering your body in verse 1 to belonging to one body in verses 4–5.

• What attitude does Paul want Christians to have towards themselves?
• What picture of Christian community does Paul give in verses 4–5?
• Why is that picture especially helpful at the beginning of a new semester?

5. Different gifts, one purpose

Verses 6–8 list different gifts. Paul’s emphasis is not on discovering your perfect gift. It is on using whatever God has given you faithfully for the good of others.

• What gifts, strengths or opportunities has God given people in this group?
• How might each of us help build up this Hub during the semester?

Respond in prayer

Take thirty seconds quietly to consider: What is one way you would like God to transform you this semester?

Then pray together:

• thank God for his mercy;
• ask him to renew our minds;
• ask that this Hub would become a group where people serve one another;
• pray for opportunities to welcome people and speak about Jesus during Jesus Weeks.

Keep connecting

Hubs are one part of life with Uni Bible Group. Here are some other good ways to keep growing, meet people and hear about Jesus.