Bible Reading
Romans 16:1–16 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.
[27:19]Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. Greet also the church in their house.
[27:19]Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me.
[27:19]Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus.
[27:19]Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.
[30:52]Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
[35:29]Mark 15:21 And they compelled a passerby, Simon of Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to carry his cross.
[32:23]Romans 16:17–20 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
[42:21]For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
[45:45]Matthew 7:15–20 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
[42:21]So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
[42:21]Observation questions
- What different kinds of service and sacrifice does Paul point out among the people he greets in Romans 16:1–16? [30:20]
- What details does Mark include about Simon of Cyrene, and how does that connect with the Rufus whom Paul greets in Romans 16? [32:23]
- According to Romans 16:17–18, what are false teachers trying to do, what do they serve, and how do they deceive people?
- In Matthew 7:15–20, what outward test does Jesus give for recognizing false prophets? [42:43]
Observation questions
- Why might Paul’s long list of greetings matter for understanding what healthy church life looks like, rather than being merely a list of names? [35:02]
- Simon’s encounter with Jesus began as an unwanted interruption on an ordinary day. How does the connection between Simon and Rufus show that Christ’s work can reach beyond one person and one moment? [32:35]
- Paul tells believers to avoid teachers who distort the gospel, while Jesus says to recognize false prophets by their fruit. What might it look like to test both a teacher’s message and their life without becoming suspicious of everyone? [43:15]
- Romans 16:20 calls God “the God of peace,” yet says He will crush Satan under the feet of His people. What does this reveal about the kind of peace God gives His church? [44:21]
Application questions
- Paul honored people whose service was quiet, practical, costly, and often unseen. What is one way someone has cared for you in the church that has made God’s love visible? How could you thank or encourage that person this week? [39:05]
- The church is a family where believers both receive care and give care. In this season, do you most need help, have capacity to help someone else, or find yourself doing both? What is one specific need or gift you could make known to the group? [36:23]
- Real care often happens outside scheduled programs: a meal, a phone call, prayer in a hallway, a ride, help with children, or checking in during a hard week. Who is one person or household you could notice and care for in a simple, unscheduled way this week? [39:10]
- Jesus can use interrupted plans to change a person’s story. Is there an interruption, disappointment, or unexpected responsibility in your life that you have only seen as an inconvenience? How might Christ be inviting you to meet Him in it? [32:49]
- Smooth words and flattering messages can sound true simply because they sound encouraging. What Christian voices, podcasts, videos, or social-media accounts influence you most? What would help you measure their message more carefully by Scripture and the gospel? [42:21]
- Satan is active, but Christ has already won the victory. When anxiety, temptation, accusation, or discouragement presses in, what does it look like for you to resist the devil by abiding in Christ rather than responding in fear? [45:45]
