Pastor Shane Gorman - Don't Let The World Shape You - August 9th, 2026 - Bible Study

Bible Reading

Romans 12:17-21

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

[39:33]

Proverbs 25:21-22

“If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the LORD will reward you.”

[53:25]

Luke 6:27-28

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

[51:59]

Luke 23:34

“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”

[59:37]

Observation questions

1. In Romans 12:17-21, what actions does Paul tell believers not to do, and what actions does he tell them to do instead? [39:33]
2. In the paint game, what were some of the specific ways people broke the rules, and how did that affect the youth who were trying to play fairly? [37:15]
3. According to Romans 12:18, what limits or conditions are built into the command to live at peace with everyone? [44:14]
4. In Luke 6:27-28, what are the four concrete responses Jesus gives toward enemies or people who mistreat us?

Interpretation questions

1. Romans 12 says a person can be “overcome by evil.” How can evil overcome someone not only by hurting them, but by shaping how they respond? [39:05]
2. Paul says, “as far as it depends on you.” How does that protect people from two errors at once: trying to control others and excusing their own reactions? [45:32]
3. God says, “It is mine to avenge.” How is leaving vengeance with God different from ignoring wrongdoing, pretending it did not matter, or refusing to seek protection and accountability? [48:05]
4. Paul says kindness toward an enemy may heap “burning coals on his head.” Why does that image fit repentance and conviction better than humiliation or payback? [54:21]

Application questions

1. Where has someone else’s behavior been shaping your behavior lately? In what relationship or situation do you feel tempted to match sharpness with sharpness, dishonesty with dishonesty, or disrespect with disrespect? [01:02:13]
2. “As far as it depends on you” puts attention on what is still yours to do. In a hard relationship right now, what still depends on you: truthfulness, tone, apology, humility, a boundary, or a step toward peace? [47:07]
3. Peace does not mean pretending everything is fine. Is there a situation where a healthy boundary, honest conversation, or outside help is needed, and how can that be done without hatred or revenge? [44:43]
4. Revenge often hides inside the desire to make someone feel what they made you feel. Are there ways you have been punishing someone in your imagination, in your words to others, or in how you treat them now? What would it look like to release that to God? [48:50]
5. Jesus calls believers not only to avoid retaliation but to move toward active goodness. What is one concrete act of goodness that could be offered toward a difficult person this week, while still keeping wise boundaries in place? [51:28]
6. Small responses still leave marks. What small choice this week could reflect the character of Christ: a softened answer, an honest word, a needed apology, or refusing to keep an argument going? [01:01:40]
7. Jesus did not let cruelty determine what came out of him. When you picture the cross, how does that challenge the way you usually react when you feel wronged, dismissed, or treated unfairly? [59:25]