Romans Study Questions Romans 1 OPENING 1. What position did Paul feel he had in relationship to Jesus Christ? 2. How can you define the heart thrust and passion of the Apostle Paul’? 3. According to Romans 1:10-12, what did Paul want to impart to the Roman Christians? 4. Why did Paul view himself as a debtor to the Jews and non-Jews? 5. Why was Paul unable to visit churches at Rome sooner? (Romans 1:13;15:22,23)? 6. Romans 1:16-17 are key verses in this text. Explain these verses with one short paragraph. GOD’S WRATH AGAINST MANKND 1. What does God send upon the unrighteous, and those who subdue the truth they’ve been given? (Rom. 1:18) 2. Explain Romans 1:18-20 concerning the witness of God through His “invisible qualities” that are clearly seen. 3. Why are all people without an excuse before God? (Rom. 1:20-21) 4. Romans 1:21 points to an initial attitude that causes a plummeting spiritual life. What is that wrong initial attitude? 5. List three things that God allows to dominate people who reject His truth? Rom. 1:24, 26, 28) 6. Why does God turn people over to uncleanness and dishonoring their bodies? (Rom.1:24) 7. According to Romans 1:24, what do wayward people do with the truth that has been reveals to them? 8. What kind of friends do wicked people have according to Romans 1:32? 9. Do you think these friends will remain friends in hell? Why? REFLECTIONS 1. What truth is renewed or discovered from your digging through this chapter? How will you integrate this fresh revelation into your thinking and behavior? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN2WzQzxuoA Enjoy this great video entitled “First World Problems.” Romans 2 GOD’S RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT 1. “Therefore, thou are inexcusable, O man, …” Explain this phrase by digging into Romans 2:1-3. Why is such a person inexcusable before God? 2. What does the goodness and forbearance of God do for us in our relationship with Him? 3. What does the unrepentant Christian have to look forward to on Judgment Day? (Rom. 2:5-6,8 ,9) 4. What will those who’ve been patient and consistently obedient receive from the Lord? Rom. 2:7,10) 5. Do verses 5-11 pertain to Christians, non-Christians or both? 6. According to Romans 2:12-16, will God judge Christians and non-Christians by the same standards of outward behavior? 7. By what standard will God judge His people who know His Law? 8. By what standard will God judge the people of the world who have never learned His Law? 9. How can we know that some people, who have never heard the Law of Moses or the Law of the Spirit actually know the law not having been taught? THE JEWS AND THE LAW 1. “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles” in Romans 2:24. How is this verse also true in our day? 2. Explain Romans 2:28 on the topic of ritualistic and spiritual circumcision. REFLECTIONS 1. Outward circumcision is a type of what God seeks to do in our hearts – remove the excesses of our fleshliness. This points to appetites and ambitions that could potentially divide our hearts. Prayerfully present yourself to the Lord for a heart exam, a tell-all x-ray of your heart. If you are willing, the Lord will show you areas of your heart that could use a little circumcision. Enjoy the adventure to perfection. Romans 3 GOD’S FAITHFULNESS 1. What is the advantage of being a Jew over being a Gentile? 2. T F When I’m bad and God shows mercy to me and restores me, it brings glory to Him. 3. T F Paul encouraged his people to be sinners so that they could see how merciful God would be toward them. NONE RIGHTEOUS 1. How are Jews and Gentiles (all non-Jews - everyone on the planet) the same? 2. Explain why some conniving saints might say “Let us do evil that good may result.” 3. Jews and Gentiles are all under the power of __________________. 4. Can anyone be declared righteous before God by keeping the law of God? 5. Are the Jews better off than the non-Jews when Judgment Day occurs, because they’ve had God’s law and the non-Jews have not? 6. Find, in Romans 3:11-18, five characteristics of unregenerate people. 7. T F A person can be considered righteous by living up to the demands of the Law. RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH 1. How can a person ever be considered righteous whether he is a Jew or a Gentile? 2. If we try really hard to keep the law of God, will He consider us righteous? 3. How is a person considered righteous? Give Scripture references for your answer. 4. Explain who one’s race or background does not change how one receives salvation. What do all men have in common regardless of their geographical birthplace or skin color? (Rom. 3:23) 5. How did God present Jesus Christ according to Romans 3:25? 6. T F Romans 3:28 says, “For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart form the works of the law.” Therefore, factually works are not essential for salvation. Salvation comes only by faith in Jesus Christ and the power and efficiency of His blood. Therefore, Christians don’t have to do any good works as long as they live. REFLECTIONS Read Romans 3:29-30 and ponder this question. If our walk is strictly by faith, then how is that we still feel we should demonstrate the holiness and righteousness of the Law? Remember, the law is a pattern of the outward behaviors that God prescribes for His people. Verse 31 admonishes us to “uphold the law.” What does that mean? How do we uphold the law when we are not “under the law” and we are not saved by works? Romans 4 ABRAHAM JUSTIFIED BY FAITH 1. Explain how Abraham was justified before God because of his faith. 2. What does God require from us in order for Him to justify us? 3. Do good works count for anything before God? Explain your answer. 4. Who does Paul quote in Romans 4:7-8? 5. Was Abraham considered righteous before or after he was circumcised? 6. What is the spiritual significance of circumcision as a sign? 7. What is significant about the before or after circumcision question? 8. T F Abraham is both a natural father and a spiritual father of all who believe. 9. T F Abraham and his seed became the heirs of the promises of God through their all-out obedience to the Old Testament Law of Moses. 9. Why did it take a living word of faith for Abraham to believe that God would give him and Sarah a child? 10. What did God promise to Abraham and his descendents? (Rom. 4:13) 11. The Law works _____________________. 12. Why did God choose to give the promise (salvation) based on faith instead of works? (Rom. 4:16) 13. What outstanding ability / character trait of God do we see in Romans 4:17? 14. The substance / definition of Abraham’s faith is seen in Romans 4:18-21. List the faith-character qualities of Abraham that God honored. 15. What did God do for Abraham because of his faith? (Rom. 4:22) REFLECTIONS Our physical hearts are composed of several chambers. In a spiritual sense our hearts have many chambers or rooms that are occupied by our old natures. Some chambers are filled with our new nature we have in Christ. How is God reclaiming your entire heart? What word of faith has the Lord spoken to your heart? Are you responding like Abraham: hoping against all odds, not looking at present circumstances, trusting completely in Him and being fully persuaded in His ability to perform the promise? Romans 5 PEACE AND JOY 1. When we are justified through faith we have ______________ ________ ________. 2. By faith we have access into ______________. (Rom. 5:2) 3. Why should Christians rejoice according to Romans 5:3-5? 4. Who fills our hearts with the love of God? (Rom. 5:5) 5. Christ died for us while we were yet ______________________. 6. According to Romans 5:9, we are saved from _______________. 7. Before we were reconciled to God (saved), Romans 5:10 refers to us as _________________. 8. What is the meaning of reconciliation? (Rom. 5:10) 9. Paul seems to have great joy because he experiences the atonement. What is the meaning of atonement? (Rom. 5:11) DEATH THROUGH ADAM - LIFE THROUGH CHRIST 1. Through whom did sin enter into this world? 2. How is it that everyone is deemed a sinner and suffers death as a result of that first sin? (Gen. 2-3) 3. T F Adam was a type of Jesus Christ. 4. When there are no laws there are no ___________________. 5. Why would Paul use Adam as a pattern of the Last Adam, Jesus? Adam was a sinner and Jesus was not. 6. According to Romans 5:19, “…by one man’s disobedience may were made ___________________. So by the obedience of one shall many be made _________________.” 7. What two forces are reigning in our lives according to Romans 5:20-21? REFLECTIONS 1. Which force is having a greater reigning influence in your personal life: the reign of natural sin, or the reign of supernatural grace? This is a great spiritual barometer. 2. God has obviously provided salvation for us. Besides the facts of salvation, He has also provide peace, rejoicing, hope and generally a good time as we continue to respond to Him. We see it clearly in the life of the Apostle Paul. To what degree are you living in this heightened state of grace and happiness? Another spiritual barometer! Romans 6 DEAD TO SIN - ALIVE TO CHRIST 1. What does Romans 5:20 have to do with the outrageous question of Romans 6:1? 2. Romans 6:2 answers the question; but, what does it mean to be dead to sin? 3. What is the spiritual significance of baptism? In other words, what does the act of baptism symbolize? 4. If we are truly buried and raised up with Christ, we should walk in ____________________________. 5. How do we walk-out the truth of Romans 6:11, where we are told to count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God? 6. What aspects of our being do we willingly allowed to be crucified as we identify with the death and burial of Jesus Christ? 7. Explain Romans 6:13 where it speaks of offering our bodies. It’s clear that God has given us a will wherein we have the will-power to give ourselves to either good or evil. How can we offer our bodies to the Lord? 8. What is the experience of Christ reigning in our bodies according to Romans 6:12? 9. How is it possible that “sin shall not have dominion over you,” according to Romans 6:14. 10. What does it mean to be under grace and not under the law? The answer to this question renews our minds and empowers grace in daily life! SLAVES TO RIGHTEOUSNESS 1. To whom, or what forces, can we possibly yield ourselves as servants or slaves? 2. Were we ever slaves to sin? 3. Are we still slaves to sin? This is personal. 4. What is the result of being a servant of sin and unrighteousness? (Rom. 6 :20-21) 5. Expound on Romans 6:19. 6. We are free if we are slaves to ______________________. REFLECTIONS 1. Is there a sin that has partial or complete dominion over your thoughts, words and actions? Make this a matter of prayer, because Romans 6:14 belongs to you: “Sin shall not have dominion over you!” 2. Have you been spiritually buried with Christ and raised up a new creature in Him? To what degree? Is this a one time experience or is this a process of maturing in Christ? 3. What negative consequences of sin are you reaping today because of sin and unrighteousness you have sown in the past? Romans 7 MARRIAGE - AN ILLUSTRATION 1. What’s the spiritual point of Paul’s illustration about marriage and remarriage? 2. We may have been married to the Law. When we become “dead to the Law” we are free to be married to whom? (Rom. 7:4) 3. What is the benefit of being dead to those things that once bound us, according to Romans 7:6? In other words, what does it mean “… to serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” STRUGGLING WITH SIN 1. What does Romans 7:10 reveal about the Law’s influence upon us? 2. What is the intent of God’s Law according to Romans 7:10? 3. List Paul’s adjectives that help define the Law of God in Romans 7:12. 4. How does Paul describe himself in relationship to the Law? (Rom. 7:14) 5. Have you experienced what Paul experienced in Romans 7:14-20? Yes No 6. Is the Law of God good or not good? Explain your answer. 7. Prayerfully meditate on Romans 7:17: ”Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.” This truth is reiterated in verse 20. Wrap your head around Paul’s mindset and explain how this worked in his life. 8. How should the above principle work in your life as well. 9. What good is the Law if I can never measure up to it’s high standard of perfection? 10. What are the two laws Paul speak about in Romans 7:21-23? 11. What adjective does Paul use to define himself in Romans 7:24? 12. What part of Paul serves the Law of God? (Rom. 7:25) 13. What part of Paul serves his inner law of sin? 14. “I am divine and I am disgusting.” How do these simple words sum up the warfare that both Paul and we face every day? REFLECTIONS 1. Are there certain Laws of God that you are free from in your daily life? 2. How goes the battle between your carnal nature and your born-again nature? Who’s winning, your fallen nature or your Christ-like nature? Answer this question in the presence of the Lord and be boldly honest before Him. After all, there’s no hiding from God, and He is the only One Who can empower you. Romans 8 LIFE THROUGH THE SPIRIT 1. Why do we not have to experience condemnation? 2. What does it mean to “be in Christ Jesus”? 3. What sets us free from the law of sin and death? 4. What is the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ? 5. How is the “Law of the Spirit of life in Christ” more powerful than the entire OT Law of Moses? 6. God created the law, yet the law is powerless to make us victorious. Why is this true? 7. Remember, Paul is writing to Christians. In Romans 8:5, he defines two categories of Christians. What are they? 8. On what is the carnal mind set? (Rom. 8:6-8) 9. On what is the spiritually minded man focused? 10. Romans 8:9-11 contains the word “if” several times. “if the Spirit of God lives in you….” “If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ.” “But if Christ is in you…” “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead…” Carefully contemplate these “ifs.” They indicate positive and negative options. On the positive side, they all point to victory IF we have the indwelling Spirit. What happens if we do not have the Holy Spirit living within? Please ponder the fact that these words were intended for Christians not the unsaved. 11. Can you be saved and not have the indwelling Spirit of God? See Romans 8:9. 12. What does Paul mean in Romans 8:10 when he says, “…if Christ be in you, the body is dead..” 13. Does Romans 8:13 apply to Christians, the unsaved or both? 14. If we have accepted Christ and are not being led by His Spirit in daily life, can we be called the “sons of God” according to Romans 8:14? 15. In the end, there is heaven or hell for all people. Romans 8:15 provides two spiritual options: One is the spirit of ___________________, or the spirit of ______________________. 16. What does it mean to be adopted and cry “Abba Father?” 17. Why is suffering an important ingredient in the life of God’s children? I thought He suffered for us; why do we have to suffer to be the His children? Sounds painful! FUTURE GLORY 1. Why was creation subjected to frustration (subject to vanity) in Romans 8:20? 2. Romans 8:19-22 tells us that creation groans for the manifestation – completion - perfection of sons of God. Who else groans for this new day in verse 23? 3. We are saved by hope (Rom. 8:24-25). For what is the Christian hoping? Why hope for something if you have faith for it? MORE THAN CONQUERORS 1. What are the conditions under which God works all things together for good? 2. What is the difference between the foreknowledge of God and the predestination of God? Great discussion question! 3. Is Jesus praying for us today? 4. Fill in the blanks. These words demonstrate God’s progressive plan for our lives according to Romans 8:29-30: “For whom he did foreknow, he also did ________________ to be conformed to the image of this Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also ______________; and whom he called, them he also ____________; and whom he justified, them he also _________________.” 5. How is it that no one can bring a negative charge or condemnation against us? (Rom. 8:33-34) 6. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Think it through. Is there a less obvious answer? 7. Romans 8:35 lists seven ways Christians suffer. Verse 36 tell us that we are killed all day long. Why bother being a Christian when it sounds like so much suffering? Look to verses 37-39 for the guts behind the glory. REFLECTIONS 1. After reading Romans 8:4, does it seem as thought actually expects us to perfectly uphold His Law? Is Christ-likeness in us (perfection/completeness) a theory or an expectation? Remember Jesus said “Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect”! (Mat. 5:48) 2. How do you deal successfully with your fleshly self when it rises up against the leading of the Holy Spirit? 3. The Holy Spirit is not impersonal; He is a Person of the Godhead. We see how He functions as a person in Romans 8:12-16. Are you allowing these functions of the Holy Spirit to operate in you life? Is He empowering you do mortify the deeds of your flesh? Is He leading you through your daily life, like a son of God. 4. Reread the list of sufferings in verses 35-39. Place yourself in these situations. Are you wholeheartedly willing to suffer for Christ? Do you have a holy passion, an Holy Spirit fire that enables you to blaze through the opposition for Christ’s sake? Romans 9 GOD’S SOVEREIGN CHOICE 1. Why in the world would Paul wish that he was cursed and cut off from Christ? (Rom. 9:1-2) 2. List the special blessings that mark the Israelites as God’s people. (Rom. 9:4-5) 3. What do these words of Romans 9:6 actually mean? “for not all who are descended from Israel are Israel? 4. T F Romans 9:6-10 eludes to all of the other sons of Abraham who were not the sons of promise. 5. Rebekah had twins, Jacob and Esau. God said “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” Is God unjust? Explain this portion of Scripture from God’s perspective (as much as possible). (Rom. 9:12-19) 4. Does God arbitrarily show His wrath on some people and arbitrarily show mercy on others? After all He is God, and He can do whatever He wants with anyone, at any time. 7. Why did God raise up Pharaoh and give him such authority over God’s people? (Rom. 9:17) 8. “Who hath resisted His will?” (Rom. 9:19) a) Everyone b) Nobody c) I don’t know d) The Jewish People e) The Gentiles 9. Does the Potter always have power over the clay? (Rom. 9:21) 10. Is there any people group on the planet to whom God has not made Himself known, at least to some degree? Is there any people group outside of the Jews and the Gentiles? 11. If God’s elect are the Israelites then why are only a remnant of them saved according to Rom. 9:27? 12. Abraham and the Gentiles discovered God’s righteousness. How did they attain to that righteousness? ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF 1. What is wrong with the way Israel tried to attain to God’s righteousness? (Rom. 9:31-32) 2. What is this stumbling stone in Zion, the Rock of offense, that causes people to fall? (Rom. 9:33) REFLECTIONS 1. Reread Romans 9:1-3 to refresh your memory of Paul’s burden for the salvation of his fellow Jews. Moses had a similar self-sacrificing attitude for the children of Israel in the wilderness. Consider your personal burden for the lost people in your life. Do you share the intensity of Paul’s passion? 2. God is the Potter and we are the clay. There are many different textures and colors of clay on this planet. God chooses the stuff from which He made us. He has chosen the “givens” in each of our lives. For example: Moses had a speech problem. God’s people were born into slavery. Some were born into riches, and others into poverty. What are your God “givens”? How are you embracing these “givens” for the glory of Him in you? “Givens” are often unchangeable physical features, family heritage, intelligence or the lack thereof, talents, aspiration and … the list is endless. Romans 10 ISRAEL’S UNBELIEF 1. Paul has a burden for Israel’s salvation. He says that they have a zeal of God, but that something is missing in their efforts. What’s missing? 2. What did the Jews try to do in their own strength? 3. What does the little phrase “Christ is the end of the law” mean? (Romans 10:4) 4. Where is this word-of-faith that establishes righteousness? (Rom. 10:6-8) 5. What is the central thought of Romans 10:11-13? 6. Paul establishes that all are sinners, and that Jesus is the way for all men to be saved. Now then, what is Paul’s point of Romans 10:14-16? 7. Does everyone who hears the gospel believe the gospel according to Romans 10:16? 8. According to Romans 10:17, how does faith come into a person’s mind and heart? 9. What did God do to Israel for turning their hearts away from the word of truth? (Rom. 10:19) 10. What is the imagery of Romans 10:21 that illustrates Israel’s lack of response to the Lord? 11. It’s obvious that Israel (of natural descent) heard the word of the Lord, so then why have they not received the fullness of salvation? REFLECTIONS 1. Being that we are people, whether Jew or non-Jew, we tend to have very similar responses to the Lord. Can you recall a time in our life when you did not respond to the Lord’s beckoning? Were you ever provoked to jealousy by someone that was responding to the Lord? 2. Conversely, do you remember a wonderful time when you were not seeking God and He randomly made Himself known to you? How wonderful is that! Romans 11 THE REMNANT OF ISRAEL 1. Did God cast off His people at any point in history? 2. T F Paul uses himself as an example because he is a Jew and is not cast off. 3. Was Elijah the only one who served the Lord in his day? 4. Were there any Jewish people who accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior in the first century? 5. Romans 11:6 uses the word GRACE. Look up the original Greek meaning of this misunderstood, and watered-down word. Contemporary Christianity has turned meaty Bible terms into baby food for the ease of teaching and simplification of truth to the point of diluting the richness of the original intent and power behind the words. GRACE! Use the online application at http://biblewebapp.com to get back to Greek and get back to God! 6. Do Grace and Works ever fit together in our Christian lives? Explain your answer. 7. Lest we think God is illogical and that He randomly show’s favor based on a some cosmic lottery, let’s read Psalm 18:24-26, and see exactly how He decides to whom He shows mercy and so on. “Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his eyesight. 25 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful; with an upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright; 26 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself forward.” Let’s also remember that He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Now then, how can you better your chances of receiving the mercy of the Lord? ENGRAFTED BRANCHES 1. Romans 11:7-10 makes God sound a little unfair. Read Romans 11:11 and explain God’s heart in these verses. What two things were accomplished through the Jews’ rejection of Jesus, their Messiah? 2. The words “envy and envious” are used in this section of Scripture. How can envy be a good thing for God’s people? 3. Jews and Gentiles are joined together in one body of Christ; however, who came first, the Jews or the Gentiles? 4. Will God eventually restore the Jews? a) Yes b) No c) I don’t know for sure. 5. Who was broken off because of unbelief? 6. T F Romans 11:16 is saying that the Jewish people are like the yeast that leavens the entire lump of dough. The Jews are like the good root of an olive tree that feeds every branch of the tree. 7. Paul tells the Gentiles not to boast against the Jews. Why? 8. T F Romans 11:22 tells us to consider the kindness and sternness of God. God’s kindness is conditional because Paul says “provided that you continue in his kindness.” 9. What will happen if we don’t “continue” in God kindness? 10. Who are the wild olive tree branches, and who are the cultivated olive tree? 11. Is the olive tree illustration a picture of one church made up of two different people groups? Yes No ISRAEL WILL BE SAVED 1. T F God will save Israel, and her deliverer will come out of Sion. (See Is. 59:20-21.) 2. T F Israel is God’s beloved. 3. What is the difference between being forgiven of sin and having sin taken away? See Romans 11:27 and 1 John 1:9. 4. According to Romans 11:28, the Israelites are considered enemies of the gospel in the day in which Paul wrote Romans. Why were they considered enemies? 5. According to Romans 11:29, God will not change His mind about two things in our lives. What are these two things? ____________________ ________________________ 6. When God concludes that all are in unbelief, He then ____________________________________. DOXOLOGY T F In Romans 11:33-36, Paul is extremely depressed as he quotes a few OT verses. REFLECTIONS Being grafted into the original “Olive Tree” is much like being relocated from one nation to another. The customs, language, food and manner of daily interactions with people are all foreign, yet we find a way to become knit into the new society. Being a Christian is like being a foreigner right where we live? The great heroes of faith lived with this sense of being aliens on Earth. Odd but true! “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Heb. 1:13). Earth is not our home either. Jesus said, we are in the world but not of this world. How connected are you to the here and now? These are rather transcendent thoughts from the Scripture. Meditate before the Lord along these lines and see how graciously the Lord may realign your priorities in this world as we prepare the next. Romans 12 Paul’s letter to the Romans has been doctrinal up to this point. Now he tells us how to walk-out our faith. After all, if we only believe and do not the works of Christ by faith through grace, are we good examples of Christ? Healthy Christians have good doctrine and good works born out of a living-word faith that comes from the Lord? Amen! LIVING SACRIFICES 1. Romans 12:1 encourages us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. In Romans 6, we find the revelation that our bodies are instruments which we offer to wickedness or to righteousness (Rom. 6:11). How can we walk-out this act of offering our bodies as living sacrifices? I thought sacrificial animals were slain, yet this verse promotes living sacrifices. Please explain this way of Christian living. 2. In verse three Paul tells us to “not conform any longer to the pattern of this world…” This assumes that we have already permitted the world to form our thinking. How have you allowed “the world” to shape your thinking? Consider priorities such as projected annual income, education, occupation, beauty, relationships, sports, arts, family, dating, sexuality, fashion and the like. 3. How is a Christian transformed? 4. Is it fitting to describe the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a holy brain-washer? Can you come up with a better analogy? If so, fill in the blank: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is like a ____________________. 5. What is the outcome of having a renewed mind? (Rom. 12:2) 6. How does Paul recommend we assess ourselves to form a spiritually healthy self-image? (Rom. 12:3) THE BODY OF CHRIST 1. T F Each member of the Body of Christ should think more highly about himself than others because he/she is the only one that can truly change themselves to help others. Perfect logic! 2. T F How we think of ourselves should be based on the measure of faith we receive from the Lord. 3. What analogy does Paul use to define the church? 4. Everyone in the body of Christ has different gifts according to the ________________ of God. 5. List the gifts mentioned in verses 6-8. 6. List all of the things Paul tells us to do in verses 9-21. Don’t rewrite the entire section, but make an abbreviated list. CHRISTIAN LOVE IN ACTION 1. What are the benchmarks of Christian love according to Paul in Romans 12:9-10? 2. List out the behaviors that Paul is prescribing in verses 11-15. Highlight the particular ones that pose a challenge in your life. 3. Rewrite Romans 12:16 in your own words. 4. Reread Romans 12:16-21 and summarize the heart attitude/mindset of the pattern Christian that Paul is prescribing we become. REFLECTIONS 1. Review the list of ministry gifts from verses 6-8. Which gifts or portions of gifts has the Lord graced you with so that you can bless the body of Christ? This is an important questions because you are an important member of His body. 2. Romans 12:21 says, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Think of a current situation in your life where evil may be encroaching on you. Perhaps it’s gotten into your life to some degree. The “evil” may be an external influence or it may be an internal appetite. Paul gives a battle tactic here…”Overcome evil with good.” Prayerfully talk with the Lord about this verse in relationship to your enemy. He always provides warfare strategies that bring victories. See 1Corinthians 10:13; memorize it as your personal sword of the spirit. Slay the dragon! Romans 13 SUBMISSION TO AUTHORITIES 1. Who has ordained all of the authorities we encounter in daily life? 2. Whenever we resist an authority who else are we resisting according to Romans 13:2? 3. What is the consequence of resisting God’s ordained authorities? 4. Why do we pay sales tax, property tax, city tax and Federal Income Tax? (Rom. 12:5-6) 5. Are we supposed to always obey every authority? Are there ever exceptions? Can you think of situations in Scripture when the authority required God’s people to do something contrary to His law? What did God’s people do and what was the outcome? This is a good contemplation! Explain your answers. LOVE - FOR THE DAY IS NEAR 1. Should Christians be in debt? (Rom. 13:8) 2. What is the one debt that we all have according to Romans 13:8? 3. What is the one central issue (commandment) that fulfills the entire Law of God? 4. List the behaviors we are to cast off or put aside according to verses 12-13. 5. Roman 13:14 is a key to life. What does it mean to clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ? 6. The prevailing attitude in our western culture is that it’s okay to do almost anything, as long as we are not hurting someone else. We tend to believe that it doesn’t matter what others think of our behavior; it’s none of their business. We basically live for ourselves. Is this what Romans 14:5-8 is saying? Please explain your answer. REFLECTIONS Again, Romans 13:14 is a key to living a victorious life. The NIV reads: “Rather, clothe yourself with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” Your Challenge: Prayerfully bring yourself into the presence of the Lord along with this verse. These word illustrate an outward clothing and an inward thinking. The Lord tells us to put HIM on as a clothing – play the part of a Christian, while our thinking is being changed. How much time do we spend thinking about how to gratify our sinful, natural desires? Please remember, all natural desires are not sinful unless they are gratified outside of God’s prescribed order. Wrestle with these thoughts before the Lord and see how He empowers you. Romans 14 THE WEAK AND THE STRONG 1. Are we suppose to accept Christians who are weak in their faith? (Rom. 14:1) 2. Do individual Christians have different faith (beliefs) about what is right and wrong when it comes to diet and the day of rest? 3. Why is the Christian who limits what he eats referred to as the weak brother in this portion of Scripture? 3. What is Paul’s advice about how we treat people of genuine faith even when it differs from our genuine faith? (Rom. 14:3) 4. What is the key thought at the end of Romans 14:4? 5. What two practices were in question during the First Century Church era? (Rom. 14:5-6) 6. Romans 14:5c: “…Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.” What is the proper attitude for walking-out this confidence in fellowship with others? 7. Why is it wrong to eat ceremonially “unclean” food while in the presence of weaker Christians, and yet it’s perfectly fine to eat that same “unclean” food when they are not around? Is this a hypocritical act or is this an act of kindness? 8. Why are we not suppose to judge our brothers and sisters? (Rom. 14:10) 9. What might be scary about Romans 14:12? LOVE WINS OVER JUDGMENT Discernment Versus Judgment: Christians are God’s representatives and should be filled with His discernment. This means we should have a godly sense of right and wrong instilled in us, so that we see people through His eyes. His perception is always motivated by His love. Therefore, when He sees a sinning saint, such as the “adulterous woman at the well,” He does not judge her, He discerns her heart and sets her free. We ought to do likewise. We are to be discerning without being judgmental. So many “sheep” have been had the wool pulled over their eyes on this issue. They’ve been blinded. For fear of being judgmental many have forsaken wise discernment. Sin is sin; it cannot be ignored; it is malignant. The consequence is death. Love wins when Christians employ discernment and take action, as did Jesus. Amen! 1. When is it a sin to eat certain foods? Read Romans 14:13 for the insight. 2. Does this principle of Romans 14:13 apply to other areas of behavior? What about language? What about video games? Can playing video games be a relaxing freedom for me, but an addiction for a fellow Christian? How must I behave to be a blessing to my addicted brother? 3. What constitutes the Kingdom of God according to Romans 14:17? 4. Expound on the wonderful liberty of Romans 14:22: “So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves..” 6. Romans 14:23 sums up this section of what a Christian can do and shouldn’t do. What is Paul’s great answer to this dilemma? This is a key to life in the Body of Christ. REFLECTIONS 1. Do you see people as Christ sees them? Is there someone in your life that might qualify as the “weaker brother” of Romans 14? How can you be a strength to him this week? Prayerfully engage in conversation with the Lord over this and be empowered to be His expression of love and encouragement to that person. 2. Have ever thought about the day in which you will have to give an account of your life before the Lord. (Rom. 14:12) This manner of thinking inspires a reality-check of our good deeds and of our bad deeds. There’s no hiding. Again, prayerfully hang out with the Lord over this issue and see what fresh insights He’ll provide for overcoming hurdles. Judgment Day! Romans 15 THE WEAK AND THE STRONG 1. T F According to Romans 15:1, we should not live to please others because we’d become a people-pleasing slave to the whims of unreliable humans. 2. Why should we extend ourselves to others? Read Romans 15:3? 3. What happens when we are of the same mind according to Romans 15:5-6? 4. Paul mentions “hope” in verses 4 and 13. Why is hope so important if we have faith? 5. What promise to the Patriarchs involved the Gentiles? (Rom. 15:8) 6. To which people group was Christ a servant according to Romans 15:8? PAUL - THE MINISTER TO THE GENTILES 1. To which people group was Paul called to preach? (Rom. 15:16) 2. From Paul’s cultural background, the Jews were the center of the universe, yet he’s ministering to Gentiles. From where does Paul get his motivation and grace for this ministry? 3. Is it appropriate to boast? Explain Paul’s position and apparent bragging in Romans 15 17-22. 4. What was Paul’s ambition according to Romans 15: 20? PAUL’S PLAN TO VISIT 1. Paul speaks of visiting Rome and Spain, having traveled to Macedonia and Achaia on his way to Jerusalem. What does this tell us about the man Paul? 2. Why should the Gentiles give financial aid to the Jews at Jerusalem? 3. What is Paul’s prayer request all about in Romans 15:30-32? REFLECTIONS Paul is amazing! He sees the Lord’s big picture; He gets God’s plan. He sees the role of the Jewish people and outreach to the Gentiles. He’s a global thinker! Paul juggles the mundane routines of maintaining a missionary lifestyle, which is encumbered with haranguing threats and blatant persecutions. As if this is not enough to fill his plate, Paul is looking to reach all the way into Spain with the Gospel. Trajectory! How about you? What are your goals? To what end are you living? These are impossible questions unless you can pin point your passion in life. Prayerfully get with the Lord over this issue. It’s crucial to consider your ultimate end while you are young. Trajectory is everything. A child determines what sort of adult he or she will become. Innate interests, god-given talents, passion and training set the stage for the performance of a lifetime. When the curtain closes…you are before the throne. Love leads us through life. Please, prayerfully engage the Lord over the issue of a personal vision, your reach and your trajectory in life. Hit the mark…. Anything less is known as sin. You may be saved in the end, but what about regrets that can never turn back the hands of time. Cherish the moments or loose them forever! Romans 16 PAUL’S PERSONAL GREETINGS 1. Included in the Holy Scripture we find Paul’s many personal greetings to the saints at Rome. Why should we care about Philologus, Tryphena and Tryphosa? What’s in this portion of God’s word for us to glean. This is a treasure hunt for truth? 2. How did the people of the church in that day greet one another according to Romans 16:16? WARNINGS ABOUT DIVISION 1. Is Paul warning the believers about the unsaved, who seek to harm the church, or is Paul warning the believers about self-serving Christians? (Rom. 16:17) 2. What are the slippery tactics of those who bring division? (Rom. 16:18) 3. Paul wants these Christians to be wise about what is ______________ and innocent about what is ___________. REFLECTIONS Ponder – This chapter is full of very personal greetings to Paul’s friends at Rome. He often includes a few words of praise about the person and how they function in the Body of Christ. What would others say about you? How do you bless the people in your life? How are you a positive influence and practical help at home, church and school? Perhaps even more importantly, how do you influence your peers for the kingdom? 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