Jumpstarter 1 of 10

Ideas to help restart your discussion

Question 1

David Bercot opens with Romans 13:7 (“render…fear…honor”) and then describes colonists in Boston harassing British soldiers; what would it look like, in concrete terms, to apply Romans 13:7 toward disliked authorities without drifting into flattery or compromise?

Another way to ask: Romans 13:7 says to show fear and honor to leaders. What are some real-life ways to treat leaders you dislike with respect without becoming fake, flattering, or giving in to sin?

Direct Answer Based on David Bercot’s framing, applying Romans 13:7 would mean treating even disliked authorities with basic respect and lawful obedience—refusing harassment, threats, or mob action—while not pretending they are perfect.

Support from Transcript:

Bercot begins with the command: “Render therefore to all their due, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor” (Romans 13:7).
He contrasts that with Boston colonists who “continually harassed their British soldiers instead of rendering them honor.”
The “Boston Massacre” scene includes jeering, pelting with “snowballs and chunks of ice,” and being “armed with clubs,” showing what dishonor looked like in practice.
Captain Prescott notes the mob pressed to “the points of the bayonets” and struck “the muzzles of the muskets,” indicating escalation rather than respectful restraint.
Bercot later ties obedience to Jesus’ teaching to concrete action: instead of resisting officials, “don’t just obey… but do more than they ask” (Matthew 5:41).

Discussion Follow-ups Where is the line between honest disagreement and the kind of “harassment” Bercot condemns? What habits (speech, protest methods) communicate honor without calling evil good?

Jumpstarter 1 of 10

Add your phone number?

Thank you!

Jumpstarter 1 of 10