November 3, 2018
This week we begin a series of 3 studies from the book of Romans, chapters 1-8 based on John’s messages. They will be titled as follows:
Study 1. Justification. Romans 1-5
Study 2. Sanctification. Romans 6-7
Study 3. Glorification. Romans 8
Read Romans 1:18-32.
Discuss John’s words….
All mankind have an instinctive knowledge of God’s laws as they have been created in the image of God for they are written in his heart. Romans 2:14-15.People are aware of God, they just don’t want to know!
What would you say to someone who says they believe ‘there is no God’?
Read Romans 2:1-27. What is Paul’s message in these verses? Though Paul directed these words to the Jews who had God’s laws (eg: 10 commandments, etc.) discuss how parts of them apply to some religions, sects, and ‘good living’ people.
Read Romans 3:9-20. Summarize the natural condition of all people. What is your definition of sin? Discuss in your group.
Consider the following:
Sin means refusing to do God’s will and failing to do all that God wants. Since Adam’s rebellion against God, our nature is to disobey Him. Our sin cuts us off from God. Sin wants us to live our own way rather than God’s way. Because God is morally perfect, just and fair, He is right to condemn sin. Each person has sinned, either by rebelling against God or ignoring His will. No matter what our background or how hard we try to live good and moral lives, we cannot earn salvation or remove our sin. Only Christ can save us.
Life Application Study Bible
Read Romans 1:16-17, 3:21-28. Explain in your own words in a sentence or two what Paul is saying here.
Discuss the following:
How important is it for people to understand their condition as sinners before a Holy God in order for them to begin to appreciate their need and God’s solution through Christ.
3. People’s Response
Discuss why those mentioned in James 2:19 and Matthew 7:21-23 did not have saving faith.
Consider and discuss in your group the following:
Justify…. The term describes what happens to people when they put their faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior. From the negative view point, God declares them to be not guilty, from the positive viewpoint, He declares them to be righteous. He cancels the guilt of their sin and credits righteousness to them. Paul emphasizes two points in this regard: 1. No one lives a good, holy, righteous life. On the contrary, “there is no one righteous’ (Rom. 3:10) and “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Therefore no one will be declared righteous in His (God’s) sight by observing the law” (Rom. 3:20). 2. But even though all are sinners and not sons, God will declare those who put their trust in Jesus not guilty but righteous. This legal declaration is valid because Christ died to pay for the penalty for our sin and lived a life of perfect righteousness that can in turn be imputed to us…. The central thought in justification is that, although people totally deserve to be declared guilty, God declares them righteous because of their trust in Christ. This is stated in several ways here: (1) “freely” (as a gift, for nothing), (2) “by His grace”, (3) “through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” and (4) “through faith”
NIV Study Bible