Most everyone is familiar with the Apostle Paul’s passion to proclaim Christ and plant churches around the Mediterranean. Near the end of his letter to the Roman church, Paul shares his plans to head to Spain to continue his mission. However, he doesn’t stop with his plans, but with the request that the church join him in the ministry prayer.
Key Passage: Romans 15:23-33
SERMON OUTLINE
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.” (Romans 15:30)
Paul’s Motivation in Mission (Romans 15:20, 23-29)
Prayer Overflows from Our Life with God (Romans 15:30a)
Prayer Joins in the Struggle of Mission (Romans 15:30b)
Prayer Requests Favor in Mission (Romans 15:31)
Prayer Seeks Expansion in Mission (Romans 15:32)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- This week we conclude our series, “Power in Prayer,” by looking at Paul’s prayer in Romans 15:23-33. Begin your study by asking God to speak to you through your study of Scripture, and then read that passage aloud.
- Just before the passage we are looking at, Paul describes his motivation in Romans 15:18-20. What does this tell you about Paul’s ministry and future goals?
- In verses 23-24, as well as 28-29, Paul outlines his future plans. What are they, and how does this shed light on why Paul writes to the church in Rome?
- The journey Paul describes (15:25-27) is to bring an offering from churches around the Mediterranean back to the “mother church” in Jerusalem. Paul’s desire is that the believers in Jerusalem will receive this offering as a gift of fellowship and unity. Why might the manner in which the Jewish Christians received Paul’s offering be significant for the fledgling, global church?
- In verse 30, Paul requests prayer of the believers. Why is it significant that he invites them into his struggle by the means of prayer?
- Have you ever experienced prayer as a way of entering into another person’s struggle? What did that mean for you?
- What does Paul ask the Roman believers to pray about in verses 31-32?
- Paul’s drive for expanding mission reminds us of the work of global mission to share the message of Jesus with those who have not heard. How often and in what way do you pray for the work of global mission?
- It is interesting that Paul’s request for safety (15:31) is not answered in the way he may have hoped. Paul is arrested and eventually ends up in Rome after he appeals to the Imperial courts (Acts 21:33-35; 25:10-11; 28:11-16). How should we approach prayers that seem unanswered or answered differently than we hope?
- Paul concludes with a final word on God’s peace. In some ways this is an expected ending (such as our letters ending with ‘sincerely’), but there is no lack of significance to it. How does peace relate to Paul’s request for prayer?
- What do you think the Lord is speaking to you about prayer through this study? If you are on your own, write these things down and share it with someone. If you are in a small group, discuss your answers aloud together. Close in prayer.