If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only have one book of the Bible with you, a great choice might be… Romans. What an incredible overview of the entire Gospel message!
Here’s the opening message to my new series on Romans called “The GREAT News of the Gospel.” It addresses important questions like: Why did Jesus have to rise from the dead? What is “the obedience of faith”? Is the Gospel for everyone or only the “elect”?
There’s nothing more important than understanding righteousness by faith. It reminds me of the Italian expression il dolce far niente (meaning “the sweetness of doing nothing”). Not sure where I’m going with this? Let Romans help you with the art of doing nothing: “But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is credited as righteousness” (Romans 4:5).
Are you doing nothing to get right with God? Nothing to get more forgiven? Nothing to get closer to Him? I sure hope so, and you’ll discover why in this powerful and liberating message.
Discussion Questions for Romans 1:1-17:
- Read verse 2. What was promised beforehand? Can you think of any place in the Old Testament it was promised?
- Read verse 4. How specifically has Jesus proven His identity?
- Read verse 5. What is the obedience of faith?
- How should we understand the use of the word “called” in this chapter? How does this jive with “For many are called but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14)?
- Read verse 11. What does “impart some spiritual gift” mean here in context?
- Read verse 13. Was God telling Paul where to go and when so he would not waste time? In your opinion, why or why not?
- Read verse 16. Who is the Gospel for? Who can get saved? How does this verse help us understand the true meaning of predestination later in Romans?
- Read verse 17. What does it mean to you to be righteous by faith?
