Let It Shine
Reflection
Begin your study by sharing thoughts on this question.
1. How has the positive example of another believer encouraged you?
Bible Reading
Read Romans 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled
with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly
unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace that is given to me of God, 16 That I should
be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles
might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. 17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus
Christ in those things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any of those things which Christ
hath not wrought by me, to make the Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19 Through mighty signs and wonders, by
the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the
gospel of Christ.
20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man's
foundation: 21 But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard
shall understand.
Discovery
Explore the Bible reading by discussing these questions.
2. What was the basis of Paul's confidence in the Christians in Rome?
3. List some of the things God had accomplished through Paul's life.
4. What has God accomplished through your life?
5. Why did Paul prefer not to minister where others had already ministered? Was this a wise decision?
6. What principles of evangelism from Paul's life can you apply in your life?
Question 6. Other principles of evangelism are described in Matthew 9:37–38; 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; Romans
1:14–17; 2 Corinthians 4:1–6; and 1 Thessalonians 1:4–10.
Inspiration
Here is an uplifting thought from the Inspirational Study Bible.
A few nights ago a peculiar thing happened.
An electrical storm caused a blackout in our neighborhood. When the lights went out, I felt my way through the
darkness into the storage closet where we keep the candles for nights like this.… I took my match and lit four
of them.…
I was turning to leave with the large candle in my hand when I heard a voice, “Now, hold it right there.”
“Who said that?”
“I did.” The voice was near my hand.
“Who are you? What are you?”
“I'm a candle.”
I lifted up the candle to take a closer look. You won't believe what I saw. There was a tiny face in the wax
… a moving, functioning, fleshlike face full of expression and life.
“Don't take me out of here!”
“What?”
“I said, Don't take me out of this room.”
“What do you mean? I have to take you out. You're a candle. Your job is to give light. It's dark out there.”
“But you can't take me out. I'm not ready,” the candle explained with pleading eyes. “I need more preparation.”
I couldn't believe my ears. “More preparation?”
“Yeah, I've decided I need to research this job of light-giving so I won't go out and make a bunch of mistakes.
You'd be surprised how distorted the glow of an untrained candle can be.… ”
“All right then, “ I said. “You're not the only candle on the shelf. I'll blow you out and take the others!”
But just as I got my cheeks full of air, I heard other voices.
“We aren't going either!”
… I turned around and looked at the three other candles.… “You are candles and your job is to light dark places!”
“Well, that may be what you think,” said the candle on the far left.… “You may think we have to go, but I'm
busy.… I'm meditating on the importance of light. It's really enlightening.” …
“And you other two,” I asked, “are you going to stay in here as well?”
A short, fat, purple candle with plump cheeks that reminded me of Santa Claus spoke up. “I'm waiting to get
my life together. I'm not stable enough.”
The last candle had a female voice, very pleasant to the ear. “I'd like to help,” she explained, “but lighting
the darkness is not my gift.… I'm a singer. I sing to other candles to encourage them to burn more brightly.”
… She began a rendition of “This Little Light of Mine.” … The other three joined in, filling the storage room
with singing.… I took a step back and considered the absurdity of it all. Four perfectly healthy candles singing
to each other about light but refusing to come out of the closet.
(From God Came Near by Max Lucado)
Response
Use these questions to share more deeply with each other.
7. How does Paul's example inspire you to get more actively involved in evangelism?
8. What has hindered your witness for Christ?
9. How can you overcome that hindrance?
Prayer
Father, forgive us for ignoring the lost; forgive us for selfishly enjoying the gift of your salvation, without
sharing it with others; forgive us for the times we have kept our mouths shut, burying the truth of your Word,
for fear of ridicule or rejection. Fill us with courage, Father. Use us as instruments of your mercy and grace
extended to a world bound by sin.
Journaling
Take a few moments to record your personal insights from this lesson.
How well is this light of mine shining?
Additional Questions
10. Are you reluctant to talk about God with others? How can you overcome that reluctance?
11. What are some creative ways of sharing the gospel?
Question 11. You can direct this question to individuals or to the group as a whole. Ask the group to
consider how they could work together to help spread the gospel to those who haven't heard.
12. Who shared the gospel message with you? How can you thank that person?
For more Bible passages on evangelism, see Matthew 5:13–16; 28:18–20; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 2:14–17; 1 Thessalonians
2:8; 1 Peter 3:15,16.
To complete the book of Romans during this twelve-part study, read Romans 15:14–16:27.
From Life Lessons from the Inspired Word of God—Book of Romans by Max Lucado. Copyright 1996 by Word Publishing.
