Open:
The Book of Romans is a powerful letter. Augustine, Martin Luther, and John Wesley are just a few of the Christian leaders whose lives have been changed after reading this letter. The stories of lives changed by the Gospel go on and on to this day.
Take a moment now and think about your own life. When and how did you first come in contact with the power of the Gospel?
Objective:
To understand/orient us to the implication of the Gospel for us personally.
Read:
Romans 1:1-7 “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God- 2the gospel He promised beforehand through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3regarding His Son, who as to His human nature was a descendant of David, 4and who through the Spirit of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God by His resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5Through Him and for His name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Study
What is so striking about Paul’s description of himself as ‘slave’ and ‘apostle’? What do the two terms tell us about Paul’s view of his calling?
What information about the gospel do you find in this passage (Think of Terry’s 6-point analysis of the gospel)?
In verses 3-4 Paul tells us what the essential facts of the gospel… what are they?
Who is the Gospel for? What role does ethnicity play in the gospel?
According to what Paul says here, why is the Old Testament so important? Does it have this significance for you?
What does Paul mean by “The obedience that comes from Faith?”
Read verses 5-6. In what ways do Christians have both privilege and a great responsibility? Why?
If the goal of the gospel is the honor of Christ’s name, then how can we do this? What role does evangelism play in Honoring God?
Review verses 1-7. What do you learn about Paul? What do you learn about the Romans?
Apply:
In light of what we’ve just read and discussed, think again about your own life… What implication does the gospel have in your life right now?
How have you seen the power of the gospel exercised in your own life? Is there anything that needs to change? If so, what? How can we help you?