Paul’s Letter to the Romans……
The book of Romans was written by Paul to believers who, unlike many of the readers of his other letters, he had never personally met. But his concern for their spiritual welfare was nevertheless very real, and he wrote with great passion to them, making sure that they clearly understood the basics of the Christian faith……let’s see what he has to say…
Romans One…..(v.1-32)
1. Verses 1-11
a. How does Paul describe himself? (verse 1)
He describes himself as a servant of Jesus Christ, and an apostle.
b. What does Paul consider his career? (Galatians 1:15-16)
He felt that God had called him from his birth to preach the Gospel.
c. What did David foresee about the Kingdom of God? (Psalm 22:27-28, 31)
That one day people from all over the world would come to know God and to worship Him.
d. How did Paul tie this in with himself? (verses 4-6)
He knew that he was one of the ones who were called to preach the Gospel of God’s Kingdom concerning Jesus Christ, who came from the lineage of King David, and yet was also the Son of God.
e. What event proved that Jesus of Nazareth was the Son of God? (verse 4)
His supernatural resurrection.
f. What constitutes (or makes) a person a Christian? (verses 5-6)
Those who are called to Jesus Christ and who have faith to obey the Gospel message.
g. What was Paul’s greeting to the people of Rome? (verses 6-7)
Grace and peace to you from God.
h. Where does the believer’s peace come from? (John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7)
Jesus Christ gives His peace to His people, and there is no need to worry about anything when we accept our circumstances with thanksgiving.
i. What titles does Paul give to God and to His Son? (verse 7)
God, our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
j. What was the hall mark of the Roman Christians ? (verse 8)
Their faith, which was known everywhere.
k. What did Paul do continually for these people? (verse 9)
He prayed for them and asked the Lord that he would be able to visit them one day.
l. Why did he particularly want to see these folk? (verses 10-11)
He wanted to build them up in their faith and be encouraged himself by fellowshipping with them.
m. What lesson is there in this for us? (Hebrews 10:25)
To keep gathering together to encourage one another in the faith.
2. Verses 12-32
a. What was Paul’s aim in wanting to go to Rome? Why? (verses 12-15)
He wanted to preach the Gospel to them there too, to see more people won to Christ in that place.
b. Why did he feel under such compulsion to preach the Gospel? (verse 14; Acts 26:15-18)
Because he felt that God had specifically called him to do it. He had had a special revelation from Jesus Christ Himself, and this is what qualified him to be classed as an “apostle”.
c. What did Paul know that believing the Gospel would do for a person? (verse 16)
He knew it was the power of God to save people who believed, from their sins, no matter whether they were educated Romans and Greeks, or rough Barbarians….everyone needed to hear the Gospel message.
d. What is necessary for this belief? (Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8)
Faith in God and in His Word. Faith is a gift from God that enables people to BELIEVE and then to LIVE the Christian life.
e. What is going to happen to people who refuse to use this gift of faith? Why? (verses 18-19)
God’s anger will fall on them because ALL people know within themselves that there must be a Mastermind behind the creation which is all around them. But they refuse to look for Him in case it interferes with their life style.
f. What does verse 20 tell us about these people?
That they are left without any excuse!
g. What happens to people who deliberately shut their minds to God’s existence? (verses 21-22)
They become vain and proud in their own ideas; they are unthankful to God and their minds are darkened to good; they think they are scientific and wise, but are actually nothing but fools! They become corrupt in their minds and filthy in their morals, resulting in fear of spiritual things.
h. What is the first downward step that occurs after throwing God out of one’s life ? (verse 23)
Other things take His place in their lives.
i. We know that heathen and pagan nations make idols to physically worship, but what sort of things do educated people today fill their lives with when they throw God out? (verses 24-25)
Lusts, sport, pleasure, work, making money, possessions, status symbols.
j. What is God’s reaction when people throw Him out? What follows then? (verse 24a)
He gives them up and allows them to continue their downward progress…. morals and honesty are thrown out the window after God, and they each one do their own thing, and what feels right to them
k. What is the next step after immorality takes over? (verses 24-27)
Life seems too tame, so then homosexuality is legalised and promoted as a natural thing. (Ephesians 5:6-7)
l. What does Paul tell us elsewhere about people who practice this sort of life style? (Ephesians 5:3-5)
They CANNOT have any part in God’s kingdom.
m. How are Christians to view these people? (Ephesians 5:11-12)
They are not to fellowship closely with them or be taken in by their philosophy of it being a natural way of life. They are to speak out against these things and not to go into details of their sexual habits.
n. How does God view these sexual practices? (verses 27-32; Leviticus 18:22-23, 29)
It is absolutely abhorrent to Him, and utterly detestable.
3. Verses 28-32
a. What do we see that God did to these disobedient and rebellious people? (verses 24, 26, 28)
He gave them up, and allowed them to continue their downward path toward destruction.
b. What is the gist of these remaining verses?
People who turned their backs on God continued going from evil to evil and were not afraid of meeting God’s judgement.
c. What warning does God give in Genesis? (Genesis 6:3a, 5-7)
He said that He wouldn’t always strive with (work on) a disobedient person.
d. How does God feel about man’s blatant disobedience? (verses 18, 32a)
He is grieved and saddened, and brings judgement on that person.
e. God showed how He viewed man’s rebellion, by bringing the great flood in judgement on them in Noah’s time….this has not happened since. Does this mean that God is more lenient now? (Malachi 6:3a)
No! He made His point once to show man that sin brings His judgement…..people should be sensible enough to take notice of this and avoid God’s inevitable judgement on sin. People are careful to keep away from fire which will burn and hurt them, and this is the same principle….God never changes either His character or His viewpoint!
f. How did Israel as a nation react to God’s laws? (Psalm 81:11-13)
They refused to listen and turned away from God.
g. How are Christians to view these things and what are they to realise and remember? (Ephesians 5:3-6, 11)
Christians are not to take part in any of these immoral and evil practices, but are to be serious about keeping away from sin and give thanks and praise to God for delivering them.
h. What is going to come on the world as a result of sin? (Hebrews 9:27)
God’s final judgement.
i. What is the crowning disgrace of unsaved and evil men? (verse 32)
Not only doing these things themselves, but encouraging others to follow and honouring them for it.
Romans Two…..(v.1-29)
We have been looking at the IMMORAL sinner in chapter one. Now we are dealing with another type of sinner, the SELFRIGHTEOUS sinner…..
1. Verses 1-16
a. What sort of person judges others’ actions, both mentally and verbally? How do we feel when we say, “I wouldn’t have done this or that”? (verses 1-3)
A self righteous person is always judging others, either verbally or mentally….somehow we feel self satisfied when condemning others!
b. What do we often see in those who are outspoken in their condemnation of others? (verse 1)
They often do the same things…. it may be in a different matter, but basically they are no better!
c. What lesson MUST we endeavour to learn in this?
To be very careful what (and when) we say things about other people.
d. What does verse 3 tell us that we often forget? (Matthew 12:36-37)
That God will judge us for our WORDS, as well as for our actions.
e. What do we see in these verses? (chapter 14: 10-13)
To remember that we are all going to give an account of our words, actions and attitudes to God in a day to come. Complaining about others will only stumble them if they get to hear about it!
f. We are all guilty of these self righteous thoughts…..what must we remember and do? (verses 4-6)
We must repent of our attitudes, and confess them to God. He is patient and long suffering and will forgive us when we do this. If we don’t do it in this life, we will still be faced with it all in the life to come…..how much greater the shame then!!
g. What are the contrasts in this section? (verses 7-10)
Those who do well and those who rebel; truth and unrighteousness; Jew and Gentile; eternal life and God’s anger.
h. What wonderful truth is there in verse 11?
There is no favouritism with God…..all men are equal.
i. What do we see about God’s judgment here? (verses 12-16; Genesis 18:25c)
God’s judgment is 100% fair…no-one will be able to say they don’t deserve what they get! God will judge people by their knowledge of Him, (or their lack of it) those who have never known the law will be judged without it, while those who were given the law will be judged by it.
j. What about the ignorant heathen? (verse 15; chapter 1:19-21)
They see nature all around them, enough to convince them that there must be a GREAT ONE who has made all this…..they will be judged on their reaction to this conviction.
k. What is the main truth of this passage? (verse 16)
The fact that God will judge the secrets of ALL people by Jesus Christ.
l. What did Jesus Christ come into the world the first time to do? (Luke 5:32; John 12:47)
Not to judge, but to save men from their sins.
m. What will judge people in the end? (verse 16; John 12:48)
The WORDS of Christ and people’s reaction to them; it is the rejection of Christ’s words that will judge them.
n. How can we escape this judgment of God ? (Hebrews 2:3, 9)
By listening and believing His Word.
2. Verses 17-29
a. What did the Jews consider themselves to be? (verses 17-20)
Better than anyone else….they had, (and knew) the law, they knew God’s will and could teach it to others; they considered that they knew, and had, it all!
b. What does Paul then proceed to ask them? (verses 21-24)
Are you sure you are practicing what you preach? Are you really keeping the law yourself? Do you live a pure and holy life like you teach others to live? If you don’t you are letting God down and causing His Holy Name to be blasphemed among the Gentiles!
c. What can we take out of this for ourselves? (verse 24)
How well do I live up to what I know of the Scriptures’ teaching? Am I letting the Name of Christ down by the things I do and say?
d. What did Jesus Christ say the real core of the law was? (Matthew 22:36-40)
Total and whole hearted love for God and fellow man…..this encompasses the whole matter.
e. What did Jesus say the people of His day should do with regard to the teachers of the law? Why? (Matthew 23:1-3)
Do what they said, but not what they did, because none of them really kept the law…..they didn’t practice what they preached!
f. Circumcision meant cutting off all that was unnecessary and we are shown here that circumcision of the heart, mind and attitudes are more important than physical circumcision…
What point was there in the Jews being circumcised (which they prized themselves on) if they didn’t keep the rest of the law? (verse 25)
There was no point in it…..the WHOLE law had to be kept, or it availed for nothing.
g. What did Paul point out about a heathen person who might practice the law correctly? (verse 26)
That they were better than a circumcised Jew who broke the law.
h. What then, is the conclusion of this matter of physical circumcision? (verse 27)
Physical circumcision was only beneficial if the heart and attitudes were right before God….there is no point in being circumcised physically if it isn’t followed up by living what it means!.
i. What did Moses point out to the people of Israel in Deuteronomy 10:16?
That they should be circumcised in their hearts, and obey God, not being stubborn and rebellious.
j. What did Moses say showed true circumcision of the heart? (Deuteronomy 30:6)
Loving the Lord God with all their heart and soul.
k. How do you think this ties in with the type (symbol) of physical circumcision?
It means taking away all the unnecessary things that come between a person and God; things that take up all one’s time and keeps one away from going to church, prayer meetings and other Christian activities.
l. How does Paul put it in Philippians 3:3?
It is the spiritual side of a person which counts, the side of a person who worships God and rejoices in Jesus Christ that counts, leaving the things of the flesh behind.
m. How does this circumcision take place? (Colossians 2:11-13)
It is done by God when a person believes on the Lord Jesus Christ, and is followed through as they walk in the ways of the Lord, leaving all their old fleshly ways behind them.
Romans Three…..(v.1-31)
We have looked at the IMMORAL sinner and the SELF-RIGHTEOUS sinner, and now we will look at the JEWISH sinner……
1. Verses 1-31
a. What advantage did the Jewish people have over the pagan believers? (verses 1-2)
They had the godly heritage that spanned many hundreds of years and also the Old Testament Scriptures that they could learn from.
b. Did the unbelief of the Jews make God’s plan and promises ineffective? (verses 3-5; Acts 13:46-48)
No, when they turned down God’s salvation then the Gentiles were given the opportunity to accept it.
c. If man’s sinfulness shows up God’s righteousness, will God then destroy man? (verses 6-8; John 3:16, 35)
No, God has given man the plan of salvation….through believing in Jesus Christ, man will escape God’s condemnation and judgement.
d. What did Paul go on to prove in the next few verses? (verses 9-20)
That ALL people, both Jews and Gentiles, have sinned.
e. Where did Paul get these next verses from? (Psalm 5:9; 10:7; 14:3; 36:1 )
They are all quotations from the Old Testament, mostly from the Psalms.
f. What does the law prove? (verse 23)
That it is impossible for anyone to keep it entirely….it proves that the whole world is basically guilty before God.
g. What does the law show and give people? (verse 20)
It shows God’s standards for people and gives the knowledge of sin.
h. What way does man have NOW to obtain the righteousness before God that the law cannot give? (verses 21-22)
By having faith in Jesus Christ who is the only sinless person who has ever walked on earth.
i. What does verse 23 tell us about man’s own efforts to get to heaven?
It tells us that ALL have sinned and fallen short of God’s standards and glory.
j. What do verses 24-26 tell us about getting rid of our sins?
God planned that His Son, Jesus Christ, would come to earth, live a sinless life and them be the sacrifice for the world by dying on the cross. Thus, the payment for sin would be met, but people would have to individually believe in Him and His work for it to be effective for them.
k. Can we boast now about how good we are and how we have earned our salvation? (verses 27-28)
No! Definitely not! There is NOTHING we can do to earn our salvation.
l. Does God favour the Jews only in this salvation plan? (verses 29-30)
No, it is for ALL people!
m. Is the law of Moses now redundant for people? (verse 31)
We have already seen that we cannot keep the law to EARN our salvation, but because we are now saved, we keep it out of love and respect for God!
Romans Four…..(v.1-25)
1. Verses 1-25
a. What is the question that Paul asks? (verses 1-2)
In the light of what we have been discussing about the law etc, what about Abraham who was before the law? Where does he stand and on what ground was he justified before God?
b. What is the answer to this question? (verses 2-3)
Abraham believed God (had faith in Him) and this made him righteous before God.
c. Did Abraham then have to DO anything to earn his righteousness? Do we? (verses 4-8; Hebrews 11:8-10)
No, he just had to believe what God said and then act on it….we are the same, believe and trust.
d. Can we EARN our salvation? Why not? (Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8-9)
Because we aren’t good enough, and never would be. Even if we could, we would boast about how good we are….The faith that we have is the GIFT of God and our salvation is all of God and from God.
e. What does David say about being cleansed from sin? (Psalm 32:1-2, 5)
He says it is a blessed state to be forgiven, a relief of mind and spirit, and it comes about when we confess our sins.
f. What does John tell us for today? (1 John 1:7-9)
That it is through the blood of Christ we can be cleansed and if we confess our sin to God, it will be forgiven.
g. Abraham was before the law, David was under the law, and we are past the law….. what is the difference as far as salvation goes? (verses 12, 16-18)
There is NO difference….we must all have faith and confession of sin, and then obedience to God’s commands. We must remember to do these the right way around, and not put the cart before the horse so to speak.
h. What seemed to have been the big stumbling block to the Jews of Paul’s day? (verses 10-11)
The act of circumcision loomed very great in their eyes, and they couldn’t see past it or the law.
i. Was Abraham circumcised when God gave him the promises? What did circumcision show to Abraham? (verse 11)
No, Abraham was not circumcised when God gave him the promises. Circumcision was the sign of God’s covenant with Abraham it was the seal in the flesh of its validity.
j. Does this mean that Christians today should be circumcised to show they are people of God’s promises? (Acts 15:19-20; Galatians 3:8-14)
No, faith in Christ is sufficient for today…..the verses in Acts show us all that is necessary for believers to do today.
k. How do God’s promises to Abraham affect us today? (verse 17)
We are part of the MANY NATIONS that are blessed by having the same faith in God that Abraham had.
l. What was the most important thing for Abraham to have? What about us today? (Hebrews 11:9-16)
It was Abraham’s faith that enabled him to give glory to God and to continue in God’s ways, and it is still the same today for us…..without faith we CANNOT please God. We are included in those who are looking towards the heavenly country
m. What did Abraham have his mind set on? What should we set our minds on? (Colossians 3:1-2; Hebrews 11: 14, 16)
Abraham looked forward to the heavenly city and so should we….our minds and affections should be on the things of God, we should not allow ourselves to be taken up with hobbies or sport or other interests here on earth. We should be thinking more of Christ and what He has done for us.
n. Why do you think so much is written about us having faith and believing? (Hebrews 11:6)
It is made clear and plain, so that we may understand and have the assurance that God means what He says and we can trust and believe it for ourselves. We cannot approach God in any way WITHOUT faith!
Romans Five…..(v.1-21)
1. Verses 1-5
a. What has Paul established in the previous chapter? (verse 1)
That we have been justified (made just as if I’d never sinned) before God and have peace with Him through Jesus Christ our Lord.
b. What else does the believer have which they never had before? (verse 2)
We have access to God in prayer and can have communication with Him….we can praise and thank Him and make our requests to Him as well, receiving His comfort, peace and joy as a result.
c. What should the believers’ attitude be in times of trouble? Why? (verses 3-4)
The believer should be able to rejoice and be thankful for these, as it is only through these trials that we are able to see His hand working in our lives to sort things out. We learn far more about God in times of trouble than we ever do when everything is going smoothly. Troubles teach us patience and experience of God Himself.
d. Who is the Agent who helps us to understand these things? (verse 5)
It is by and through the Holy Spirit of God that we have the help and strength to grow in and through these things.
e. Do we have to wait until we are good enough to come to know Christ? What is a person’s condition before coming to Him? (verses 6-10)
A person can NEVER be good enough….we have to come in weakness, as sinners needing a Saviour.
f. What aspect of Christ’s death has brought salvation from sin as far as God is concerned? (verse 11; Hebrews 9:22; 1 John 1:7)
It is by the shedding of His blood that our sins can be washed away and we are cleansed forever….it is because of Christ’s shed blood that we can come before God with confidence.
g. What came upon all mankind as a result of Adam’s disobedience? (verses 12-14)
Death and the “want to” sin syndrome in people.
h. What was Jesus Christ obedient to, that made the difference to mankind? (verses 15-21; Philippians 2:7-8)
Christ came to earth as a man and became obedient to death…. He had no need to die for His own sins because He had never sinned. Now, because of this, we can be saved from our sin and have eternal life, with the strength to keep God’s laws. We can be judged to be righteous before God.
Romans Six…..(v.1-23)
1. Verses 1-14
a. Read the whole chapter through at once. What is the main topic in one word? (verse 1)
SIN!
b. What is Paul afraid that people might say? (verse 1)
Well, we may as well sin, so we can see God’s grace more!
c. What does he point out in verses 3-4?
We cannot live in sin because when we came to Christ we figuratively died to that sort of life style….we have each one figuratively been baptised by the Holy Spirit into Christ’s death and been raised up again as a new creature to live a new life to God.
d. What do we read about this matter? (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)
That all believers no matter what race, age or gender, are baptised into the body of Christ to become one, by the Holy Spirit’s agency.
e. How does Paul explain this? Put it in your own words. (Galatians 2:20
I am crucified with Christ even while I’m still alive…..it is Christ who now lives in me and helps me to live above the old fleshly ways and desires by giving me faith in Him….after all He loved me enough to die for me!
f. How do we do this? (Psalm 37:4)
If we delight ourselves in the Lord, our desires then become His desires for us and we receive them bountifully.
g. What was David’s great desire? Is this your desire? (Psalm 27:4)
That he would be able to spend his time in God’s presence thinking and meditating on the beauty of the Lord. It takes a great deal of self discipline to do this amidst a busy life style, but it can be done with practice when there is a quiet moment, even in the work place.
h. What do we as Christians have to realise in our walk with God? What does it mean? (verse 6)
That we are not to live in sinful ways…..those ways and habits have been crucified with Christ.
i. Does this mean that we will never sin again here on earth? (1 John 1:8-10; 2:1-2, 6)
No, we might well fall into sin, but we should not allow ourselves to be ruled by sin and sinful habits any more….we are to endeavour to live as Christ lived.
j. How can we overcome sinful habits? (Psalm 119: 9-11, 16; Philippians 4:8; Colossians 3:1-2)
We do not have to serve these habits any more and can overcome them by determining in our mind to follow the Lord and His ways. Not only are we to not do or think of the old ways or attitudes, but we are to think constantly only of that which is right, just and good, beautiful and lovely. We are to leave the dirt behind, our old life is dead and we are not to resurrect it! We are not to only THINK good things, but we are to DO them!
2. Verses 15-23;
a. What are we to do if we do drop into sin? (1 John 1:7-9)
We are to confess it immediately, leave it alone and God will forgive and cleanse us once more.
b. What positive thing does verse 19 tell us?
That where we once served sin and were slaves to sinful habits, now we are free to serve God (with His help) and live holy and right lives.
c. How should we feel about watching, listening to and reading things about other people’s sinful lives? Would you like the Lord to come into the room and see what we are doing? What did David say in Psalm 101:2-3? (verse 21)
We will feel uncomfortable in our spirit, and it should hold no interest for us. We should be ashamed if the Lord caught us at it…. David said he wanted to have a perfect heart at home when there was no-one else around, and he was determined not to read, listen to, or watch any evil thing. Remember…..if it’s doubtful, it’s dirty!!!
d. The fruit of the world leads to shame, sorrow and ultimately death….what sort of fruit should a Christian be aiming for? (verse 21c; Galatians 5:22-24)
We should produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit….love, joy, peace, patience, meekness etc… in short, live to please God showing the fruit of holiness which leads to everlasting life. The devil would tell us that this is a boring, unrewarding life, but don’t listen to him, he is the father of lies!
e. What does the term “wages of sin” imply? (verse 23)
It implies that it is how we lived our lives, working and earning these wages, and we will get what we deserve…..it is what WE DO
f. What is the contrast to this?
The gift of God (eternal life) is something that we are given that we don’t deserve. (verse 23b)
g. What exactly IS eternal life? (John 17:3)
Eternal life is to KNOW God and His Son Jesus Christ personally, not just know ABOUT them! We know about Queen Elizabeth, but we don’t actually know her personally.
h. How do we KNOW that we know God? (Psalm 40:3; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 John 3:14, 18-19)
We find that we WANT to do what pleases Him and praise Him….we now have a new song, even praise to our God! We love other Christians and want to be with them, we WANT to do what is right, we have new desires and old ways and habits just drop off. The OLD is replaced with the NEW!!!
Romans Seven…..(v.1-25)
1. Verses 1-13
a. Read the whole chapter through in the King James Version, and then in a modern translation….what is the general feeling of it?
It is almost as though sin is getting the better of the believer….what am I to do? I want to do the right things, but I find myself doing wrong! How can I get out of this syndrome? Who will deliver me?
b. What illustration is used in verses 2-3?
The illustration of marriage and how people are bound together until death parts them and then they are free from this marriage bond. If one marries another person while the other is alive, then they are committing adultery, but if the other one is dead, then they are free to remarry.
c. How does this illustration tie in with what Paul is teaching? (verses 1, 4 )
He is showing that if a person thinks they need to keep the law to be saved, then they are married to the law and cannot come to Christ. But he has already shown that a person CANNOT keep the law to be saved therefore they are dead to God. When they realise this they are free to come to Christ and be married (figuratively) to Him for salvation, and are thus dead to the law and sin’s claims and habits. One CANNOT have a foot in each camp so to speak.
d. What is the difference between a Jew keeping God’s rules of the law, and a believer doing what the law says? (verse 6
The Jews tried to keep the law because they HAD TO, to be saved (as they thought!) but a believer does the things the law says because they WANT TO, to please God.
e. Because the law is impossible to keep for salvation, does this mean that the law is wrong? (verses 7, 12)
No, the law is holy and not at fault….it is man’s sinfulness that makes it impossible to keep the law
f. The law shows up man’s sinful nature….give a couple of examples of this….. (Exodus 20:3-17)
(i) You shall love the Lord your God with ALL your heart and with ALL your soul and with ALL your strength and with ALL your mind and your neighbour as yourself. We might think we are doing this sometimes but no-one has ever done it ALL the time.….and this is only the FIRST commandment!!
(ii) You are not to covet anything that belongs to anyone else.
How well can we do this? And this is the LAST commandment, let alone all the others in between!
(iii) You are not to lie….this is in the CENTRE of the law, and there is not a person alive who has not lied in some form or other at some time!!
g. What does James 2:8-10 tell us?
If we break just one law ONCE, it is the same as if we have broken the whole law, and it can never be undone or fixed.
2. Verse 14
a. Verse 14 is about being “spiritual”. Being spiritual is nothing airy-fairy, it is simply realising that God is intensely interested in each one of us and for us to behave in a way that pleases Him. The law is “spiritual”, and yet on the other hand it is a list of dos and don’ts. In what way do you think that the law is “spiritual”? (Matthew 22:25-30)
“Spiritual” is anything to do with man’s spirit….this is the part that recognises that God exists. The law is simply spiritual because it was given by God for people to be able to interact with Him and live according to His standards.
b. What does Romans 3:23 tell us about man being able to reach God’s standards?
Man can never reach God’s standards to earn salvation. We will always fall short.
c. What does Paul tell us in 1 Corinthians 14:37 about a “spiritual person?
A spiritual person will acknowledge and recognise that the writings of Paul are God inspired,(the commands of the Lord), and as such are to be obeyed.
d. What sort of blessings has God given to His people? (Ephesians 1:3)
God has given his people spiritual blessings in heavenly places….that is, He has given us a position and place in heaven through His Son, Jesus Christ.
e. What does Paul tell us that he prayed for the early believers in Colossians 1:9?
That they would be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
f. Where do you think we get this “spiritual” understanding from? (1 Corinthians 2:12-14)
The Holy Spirit of God teaches God’s people the things of God, and gives us the understanding and discernment to see them.
g. What does Colossians 3:16 tell us about being spiritual ?
By letting God’s Word live in and through us (being obedient to it) and by singing psalms , hymns and spiritual songs to the Lord.
h. How does Peter describe believers?
Peter describes believers as being part of God’s “spiritual” house and holy priesthood who can offer “spiritual” sacrifices that are acceptable to God.
i. From our study today, what do you think are these “spiritual” sacrifices?
These sacrifices are living a good and holy life to please God (not pleasing ourselves) and singing songs of praise continually (silently, if not out loud!)
3. Verses 14-25
a. What does verse 14 tell us is the opposite of being “spiritual”? ( Using the King James version)
The opposite of being spiritual is to be “carnal”.
b. What do you think that being “carnal” means? (Romans 8:6-7, a modern translation)
Someone who is serving their own desires, not necessarily God’s. A person who is being ruled by bad habits and sin.
c. What does the rest of the passage tell us about this conflict in a person’s life? (verses 15-23)
We are not able to do the things that we want to, and the things we don’t want to do, seem to be the things that we do!
d. What does Paul tell us about carnal (natural) people in 1 Corinthians 3: 3 ?
That they squabble and fight among themselves, and are envious of each other.
e. How does the non-Christian (natural man) view the things of God? (1 Corinthians 2:13-14)
As rubbish! They think it all foolish and they cannot understand any of it!
f. Who teaches the believer about the things of God? (1 Corinthians 2:12-13)
The Holy Spirit of God teaches God’s people the things of God, and gives us the understanding and discernment to see them.
g. What is Paul describing in verses 15-23?
The struggle between KNOWING what is right to do, and actually DOING it! I can do right one day, and then do the opposite the next day! Part of me wants to do RIGHT, and part of me wants to do WRONG!
h. How can we get out of this bind? (verses 24-25)
Only with the help of the Lord Jesus.
i. What did Jesus Christ promise the disciples? (John 16:7)
That He would send the Comforter after He had gone away.
j. What is another name for this Comforter? What would He specialise in? (John 16:13-14)
The Spirit of Truth, and He would guide believers into all truth and would show them the things of God. He would glorify Christ and exalt Him to God’s people.
k. What is the general feeling in verse 25?
Thank God there is a way out! I will set my mind to serve God, even if my flesh fails.
l. What does 1 Corinthians 15:57 tell us? What is the feeling in this verse?
God gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! Praise God there is a way out!!
Romans Eight…..(v.1-39)
1. Verses 1-22
a. What is the condition of those who are in Christ Jesus? (verses 1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
They are free from the law of sin and death; they are free from condemnation; they are a new creature with a new song, a new aim and purpose, and new desires. They are like a butterfly freed from the chrysalis!
b. How does a person KNOW they are in Christ Jesus? (Psalm 40:2-3)
Because they don’t want to walk after the flesh….old ways and things hold no more pleasure or attraction for them. They want and enjoy the company of other Christians.
c. What are the contrasts in this passage? (verses 4-13)
The flesh versus the Spirit; carnally minded versus spiritually minded; enmity against God versus being subject to God’s laws ; dead in sin versus life in the Spirit
d. What or who is the pivotal point in this chapter? (verse 4b)
The Spirit of God; it is the Holy Spirit who makes all the difference in a believer’s life.
e. Where does the Holy Spirit live? (verses 9-11)
Within every believer’s heart.
f. Who CANNOT please God ? (verse 8; Hebrews 11:6)
Those who do not have the Spirit of God, and who still live in the flesh; those who have no faith.
g. What new position does the Spirit of God give a believer? (verses 14-17; John 1:12; Galatians 4:6-7)
That of being a son of God, a child and heir of God.
h. What change of subject is now introduced? (verse 18)
Pain and suffering.
i. What does Paul say about it? What should a person’s attitude be to suffering? (verse 18; 23)
If we suffer pain, we are to look past the trial and towards the end result of being with Christ one day.
j. What did Christ tell His disciples? (John 16:33)
That they WOULD have tribulations in this world, but not to be afraid because He had overcome the world.
k. What did David say about having troubles? (Psalm 30:5)
He said that weeping may endure for a night, but that joy would come in the morning.
l. What did Peter say that a believer’s attitude should be in trouble? (1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:10)
They are to rejoice and remember that the end is glory with Christ.
m. What is the purpose of suffering? (Hebrews 12:11)
To refine us, teach lessons and to bring us closer to the Lord, to be strengthened in Him.
n. What else is suffering because of sin’s curse? Why? (verses 19-22)
The whole of creation… because of sin’s curse, the animals hunt each other, and only the fittest survive. Sin sometimes bring famine as God’s judgement falls on man’s disobedience and animals and plants suffer as a result.
o. In the light of this study, what conclusion can you come to? (Hebrews 12:11)
That although trials are not pleasant to go through, yet the overall benefits far outweigh the pain, and we can say that it was a good experience in the end.
p. We often hear the question asked….why do good people suffer bad things? What do you see the answer to this is, in the light of Scripture? ( 2 Corinthians 1:3-6; 1 Peter 1:7)
If a person is walking with the Lord, they can rise above the bad circumstances they are in and be a witness to others who may be going through similar things. They know the presence of God in a way that is more real than when things are going smoothly. Trials also bring forth much praise to God when they are over. Pruning always does a plant good and makes it better than it was before.
2. Verses 23-28
a. If we have the Spirit of God in us, then why would we be groaning? (verse 23; chapter 7:20-21)
Because even though we are following the Lord, we are still clothed in the weakness of sinful flesh and not always able to do what we know we should. Seeing members of our families and other people leaving God out of their lives also brings much sorrow.
b. Believers already have the redemption of the soul….what is meant by the redemption of the body? (verse 23; 2 Corinthians 5:1-4)
The redemption of the body is when the old flesh is done away with forever, whether by death or being caught up to meet the Lord. We will no longer be trapped in a body of flesh and weakness, but will have an immortal body that will never again know pain or suffering .or the regret of letting the Lord down by our actions.
c. What is the ultimate victory for a human being? (1 Corinthians 15:53-57)
To be free of the shadow of death hanging over us…..death will be done away with!
d. What is the hope that believers have? (verse 24)
That one day we will see Jesus Christ and be like Him and with Him for ever.
e. How does this hope differ from an ordinary everyday hope? (verses 24-25; Hebrews 6:18-19)
Ordinary hope always has an element of doubt in it, but a believer’s hope is certain and sure; it is a confidence and assurance that nothing else can give…….it is something that we just KNOW!
f. What does having this hope do for a person? (1 John 3:2-3)
Because we KNOW that we are going to see Jesus and be like Him one day, it helps us to clean up our act NOW and live pure holy lives before Him.
g. What three things does the Holy Spirit do for us in these verse? (verses 26-27)
i. He helps us in our weakness ii. He stimulates to and in our prayer life.
iii. He intercedes for us before God with great earnestness.
h. What does this show us about ourselves? (verse 26a)
It shows how weak we are in ourselves.
i. What did Christ promise His disciples about the Holy Spirit? (John 14:16-17)
That He would abide with the believer for ever.
j. What has the Holy Spirit got to do with our prayers? (verse 26)
We do not know how to pray properly in an acceptable manner to God, but the Holy Spirit takes what we offer and presents it in the proper manner to God and intercedes for us at the same time.
k. What does verse 27 tell us about our prayers that 1 John 5:14-15 says too?
That our prayers have to be according to the will of God to be granted to us.
l. How can we be sure that we are asking the right things of God? (Psalm 37:4)
The more we delight ourselves in the Lord, the more we are stimulated in prayer and praise to Him, and He will bring to our minds people and situations to pray for.
m. What does Philippians 4: 6-7 tell us about panic prayers and situations that arise that need a decision to be made immediately or some instant action?
We are to try not to worry in these situations, but to make our requests to God and give thanks for whatever answer He gives, then His peace will rule in our minds.
n. What else does verse 28 suggest to you?
That whatever happens to a person who loves God, God will bring some good out of it, even if we can’t see it at the time.
3. Verses 29-39
a. From reading these verses, what could we say that God had before He even began creation? (verses 29-30; 1 Corinthians 2:7; Ephesians 1:4-5)
It is quite clear that He had a plan, a detailed blueprint, to prove His love to all beings, both human and spirit.
b. What was this plan? What was the purpose of this plan? (Genesis 1:27; Isaiah 46:9-10; Ephesians 3:9-11)
He would make man in His own image ( a three-part being of body, soul and spirit, capable of thinking and creating things himself, with a free will to choose to have fellowship with His Maker). He wanted a people for himself who would be conformed to the image of His Son. God knew before He started who would accept His offer of salvation and wrote their names in the Book of Life! This was to prove to all the spirit beings out there (including Satan) that He is indeed a God of love!
c. What did God know that Satan would do to His plan? (Ephesians 6:11-12; 1 Peter 5:8)
God knew before He began, that Satan would do his best to cause man to doubt and disobey His (God’s) word, and that man would fall and become sinful. He knew that Satan would never let up on attacking His people.
d. Did God’s plan include the remedy for man’s sin, and if so, what was it? (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:18-19; Revelation 13:8b)
God’s plan included the remedy for man’s sin, which would be at great cost to God Himself in His son Jesus Christ having to die to pay for man’s sin. Yet God was prepared to go ahead with creating man because of His great love.
e. Which came first, God’s foreknowledge, His predestination (choosing) or His calling of people? (verses 29-30; Ephesians 1:4; )
God KNEW first, and because of this foreknowledge, He was able to predestinate them and write their names in the Book of Life. Then as they were born and lived on earth, He was able to call them to Himself because He knew they would respond to Him. This does not in any way negate man’s free will which God has given to every human being. To argue with this, would be to understate God’s capabilities.
f. What is this plan of God’s an example and rebuke to? (Ephesians 3:9-11; 6:12)
To the unseen hosts of rulers of wickedness that are observing God’s work and plan in action and seek to wreck it where they can.
g. What (or who) is able to make any valid accusation against the believer? (verse 31)
When God is for us, NOTHING and NO-ONE can be against us!
h. How do we know this? (verse 32)
The fact that God gave His only Son to die for us to bring us back to Himself, is proof of His great love for us. God will stop at nothing that is for our ultimate good!
i. What about Satan’s accusations against the believers? (1 Timothy 2:5; Revelation 12:10)
Satan accuses the believer continually… in person, by others and even to God….it means nothing to God as Jesus Christ is our mediator
j. What can we do when he attacks us with doubts? (1 Peter 5:8-9; Ephesians 6: 16-17)
Stand firm on God’s Word (the sword of the Spirit), and using the shield of faith.
k. Can anything separate the believer from the love of God? (verses 35-39)
NO, NOTHING AT ALL! No circumstance, spiritual power or even death can separate us from God’s love.
l. What do the verses 1 John 4:7-10, 16b and 19 tell us about God?
That God is LOVE.
m. Going back to the first question in this study, what does God’s overall plan prove?
It proves that God IS LOVE!
n. How does God’s love compare with human love? (chapter 5:8,10; Luke 6:34-35;
Ephesians 2:1-5)
God’s love is for those who are His enemies….normally humans can only love those who are favourable towards them. God gives His love, where none is given back without ever failing. Human love fails this test.
Romans Nine…..(v.1-33)
1. Verses 1-33
a. Why was Paul so full of sorrow when he thought about the nation of Israel? (verses 1-2)
He couldn’t understand why they didn’t follow the God of their fathers as they should…..they had every reason to do so, and every advantage if they did.
b. What were some of the advantages they already had? (chapter 3:1-2; John 7:19a)
They were part of God’s chosen race; they had been given God’s law by Moses; they had received (and seen fulfilled) God’s promises to Abraham ; they had the priestly line who could perform duties before the God of heaven; and they had brought forth and nurtured the Prince of Peace, the King of Israel who became the Saviour of the world.
c. What was Paul prepared to do if it would bring Israel back to the Lord? (chapter 9:3)
He was prepared to be cast away himself from Christ if that would achieve anything.
d. What change takes place in verse 6?
God’s Word is still working! Others are turning to God and becoming His people too….they are able to become Abraham’s children through faith and receive God’s promises too.
e. What is bringing this about? What does Isaiah say? (Isaiah 55:11)
God’s Word is still working….it always has and always will bring about God’s purposes and plans.
f. Is God’s plan limited by Israel’s unbelief and disobedience? (chapter 11:2a, 11, 20; Galatians 3:14)
No! God is all powerful and by the giving of His Son, He can now redeem and purify any person anywhere who will turn to Him, and make them become part of His family.
g. In both Abraham’s and Isaac’s families, which son was chosen by God to receive His promises? (verses 7, 12-13)
In both families, the younger son was chosen over the eldest one.
h. Does this mean then, that God was being unfair? What are we told about Pharaoh? (verses 14, 17)
No, God was just accomplishing His plan and purpose to show His power in spite of Pharaoh’s disobedience. In all these dealings with these people, God was unfolding pictures of greater spiritual truths. God knew before Pharaoh came to power what he would do, and his disobedience was no surprise to God.
i. What right has God over the human race to do as He wills with them? (verses 18-20)
The right of being Maker and Creator.
j. What analogy or type is used to illustrate this? (verse 21; Jeremiah 18:1-6)
That of a potter working with a lump of clay.
k. What is God’s ultimate reason for His actions? (verses 22-23)
To bring glory to His Name, to show His holiness and righteousness, to reveal His power to ALL people and to all the spiritual beings (both good and bad) observing.
l. Does God limit his dealings with the human race to the Jews only? (verse 24; Matthew 28:19-20; John 10:16)
No, He is calling all people to come to Him from all nations of the world….they become the “other” sheep
m. Who else has been able to come into Israel’s blessings? (verses 24-30)
The Gentiles have been able to come to God by faith, while Israel was trying to do it by the works of the law.
n. What is the stumbling block to the Jews? (verses 31-33; 1 Corinthians 1:23-25)
Faith was too easy; they couldn’t accept Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God….He didn’t fit into their idea of God’s King!
o. As far as God is concerned, what sort of stone is Jesus Christ? (1 Peter 2:4-8)
He is the foundation stone, in fact the corner Stone of the heavenly Temple.
p. How do believers regard Jesus Christ as “The Stone”? (1 Peter 2:7a; Matthew 7:24-25)
To them He is the solid Rock foundation and precious indeed…..it is He alone on Whom their whole concept of salvation is built; without Him there would be NOTHING left.
Romans Ten…..(v.1-21)
1. Verses 1-21
a. What was Paul’s great prayer for Israel? (verse 1)
That they might be saved from sin.
b. Why could they not be saved as a nation? (verses 2-4)
Because with very few exceptions, they thought they knew it all….they had a zeal for God in their own way, but it was not God’s way. They didn’t want Jesus Christ.
c. What did Paul know about being zealous? What had he done in his times of excess zeal? (Galatians 1:13-14)
He was zealous for God to the extent of wanting to wipe out these Christians who preached and followed Christ….he was the most zealous of all the Pharisees in this respect.
d. What had happened to the law of works now Christ had come to earth and died for man’s sins? (verse 4; Hebrews 9:14-15)
The law was finished for mankind….it was obsolete. Christ is the one perfect sacrifice for ever, for all time…..He alone fulfilled it.
e. How far away from each person is this faith to believe? (verses 6-8)
It is right there, just waiting for the asking from God who will give it freely as a gift.
f. How can a person show to others this faith that he has taken? (verses 9-10; James 2:17-26)
By telling them, and believing God’s word and following it. It is no use saying you have faith, if you don’t prove it by a change in your life.
g. Who is able to take advantage of this gift of God? (verses 11-13; John 3:16)
ANYONE of ANY colour, race or creed can call upon God to save him…..God is LORD over all men.
h. What does Paul go on to talk about? (verses 14-15)
How necessary it is to preach the Word so that people can hear it and have faith to be saved from their sins.
i. What is the primary need for people to become Christians? (verse 14)
They need to hear God’s Word.
j. What constitutes the call to go and preach? (Matthew 28:19-20)
The Lord Jesus told His people to go and preach to every other person on earth….the call is there for all to go!
k. Did Israel as a nation listen and obey God’s Word? (verses 16, 21)
No, no more than any other nation.
l. Who then, is this message to? (verses 18, 20; Revelation 22:17)
Whoever wants to hear it! It is to individuals all over the world.
Romans Eleven…..(v.1-36)
1. Verses 1-32
a. Read the whole chapter through…..what is it all about? (verse 7)
It is all about Israel as a nation being put to one side by God to allow the Gentiles a chance to come to Him through Christ; and yet there are still some who seek to follow the Lord wholly.
b. What Old Testament example does Paul use to illustrate his point? (1 Kings 19:14, 18) (verses 2-4)
He thought of how Elijah thought he was the only one left who was following the Lord, when in fact there were 7000 others.
c. What is this “election” in verses 5 and 7?
It refers to the Jews who became Christians through faith in Christ, even though the nation as a whole refused to come because they would not let go of the law.
d. What was the purpose of their fall? (verses 11-12)
To give the Gentile nations a chance to repent and believe.
e. What illustration does Paul use next? (verses 16-24)
That of an olive tree with some branches cut out and others grafted in.
f. What warning does Paul give his Gentile readers? (verses 18, 20)
Don’t get cocky and over familiar….walk carefully. If God didn’t spare the unbelieving Jews, He may cut you out if you get out of line!
g. What are the two contrasts of God’s nature in verse 22?
The goodness and severity of God. God’s goodness is shown to those who come to Him in repentance (both Jews and Gentiles) and His severity is shown to those who remain unbelieving and rebellious.
h. Will believing Jews be grafted in like the Gentiles are? (verse 24)
Yes! They will!
i. What is the “mystery” spoken of in verse 25?
The “mystery” is the fact that Jesus Christ lives in all true believers and that they will become one body and one fold of sheep.
j. In the light of this “mystery” being revealed, what is the “all Israel”? (verses 25-26a; John 10:16; Ephesians 1:9-10)
It doesn’t refer to just the earthly nation of Israel, but to all God’s people redeemed down through the ages, both Jew and Gentile.
k. How are Gentile believers to regard the Jewish people today? (verses 28-32)
Even thought the Jews regarded the Gentile Christians as enemies, the Gentile Christians are to remember that they (Israel) were God’s chosen people to bring His Word to the whole world. The law was given to them, the prophets came from them and Jesus Christ was given to them, and it is only through their unbelief that we Gentiles can obtain God’s mercy.
l. Comment on verses 32, and Romans 3:19, 22-23….. (Galatians 3:22)
ALL people in the world, whether Jew or Gentile, are guilty sinners before God, and ALL have to come to God the same way through Jesus Christ and faith in Him…..God’s mercy is free to all.
2. Verses 33-36
a What is Paul overwhelmed at the thought of? (verses 33-36)
At God’s tremendous knowledge and wisdom….His overall plans which no man can even begin to understand….His omniscience.
b. What do we see about God here? (Isaiah 46:9-10)
God’s uniqueness as the only One….His sovereignty and His ability to bring His plans to complete fruition. No-one and NOTHING will hinder God’s final purpose….His omnipotence, His power to complete.
c. What does David marvel at? (Psalm 139:1-6)
God’s knowledge of each human being’s minutest details…their whereabouts, their thoughts and words, their very make-up with its strengths and weaknesses….God can see everyone at all times and in all places…..His omnipresence.
d. What three characteristics of God do we see in the above three answers that no other being anywhere can equal? (Malachi 3:6a)
His Omniscience (all knowledge of all things at all times); His omnipotence (all powerful, ability to do all things) and His omnipresence (ability to be everywhere at once, seeing everyone at all times)….God is and has been always the same….He will never change!
e. What does Paul show in these verses? (1 Timothy 6:15-16)
God’s eternal Being….He has always been, always will be, His immortality; the brightness of His glory which no man can approach physically; there is none greater or as great, the King supreme and Lord of all, the Blessed Potentate….God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
f. If we asked ourselves the same questions that are in verses 34-35, what would we have to answer?
No-one can equal or better what God knows or says, He is the great and mighty only Lord God!
g. What reasons do we have to give glory to God? (verse 36; Psalm 100:3; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Colossians 1:16-19)
The fact that He is the One Who brought us into being and Who has caused us to be redeemed by His own beloved Son……we are His by creation, and His by redemption, each believer is doubly His.
h. How does Peter enlarge on the thought of our redemption? (1 Peter 1:18-20)
It took the blood of the sinless Lamb of God to pay the price of our sin, and this was all part of God’s plan from before the beginning of the world!
i. No wonder Paul said what he said in verse 36! Write it out again and think about it as you do it. Maybe you would like to add your own piece of praise as you do……
j. What does David say to do in Psalm 29:1-2? Why?
To give the Lord the glory that is due to His Name…..His is the greatness, the power, the glory, the Majesty and the Victory! There is none His equal!!
Romans Twelve…..(v.1-21)
1. Verses 1-2
a What is this sacrifice of our bodies that Paul is talking about? (verse 1;
2 Corinthians 8:5)
It means that God wants us to put Him first in our lives, in what we say, think and do, and to behave in a manner that honours Him.
b. Why is this acceptable to Him and of great price? (verse 1; 1 Peter 3:4)
Because it does not come naturally…..we have to make a conscious effort to do it.
c. How does Jesus Christ describe it in Matthew 16:24?
He describes it as denying ones self and taking up the cross to follow Him and His ways.
d. How does the world show the opposite of this? (verse 2a; Ephesians 4:22; 5:3-5)
By giving into every lust, demanding their rights, taking what isn’t theirs and only pleasing themselves.
e. Should what Paul is talking about be regarded as an extraordinary thing to do? (verse 1c)
No, it only the believer’s duty, a reasonable service in the light of what God has done for them.
f. How do we go about doing this? What are we NOT to be? (verse 2a)
We are not to be like the world and conform to the world’s ideas.
g. What is the positive side to this? Where does it all start? (verse 2b)
It all starts in our mind….there is to be a conscious act of our will and our minds and thoughts need to be transformed. We are to give ourselves to God rather than to please ourselves.
h. How do we get the right mind set? (Colossians 3:1-3)
We have to think about God and what pleases Him.
i. We can see the bonus in this for God, but what is the bonus in it for us? (Psalm 37:4-5)
If we delight in Him, we will only want to be and do what delights Him and we find that our desires change. He gives us what we want because our desires have become His desires!
j. To have these thoughts, what are we to fill our minds with? (Be practical!) (Psalm 139:1-4; Philippians 4:8)
I am to be kind and patient with others; forgiving and loving in my thoughts and behaviour; to NOT worry; to be grateful and thankful; to listen to good music; to watch and read only good things and to do everything with the thought that the Lord is with me watching and listening to my every word, thought and action!
2. Verses 3-12
a. What happens when a person thinks more highly of themselves than they ought to think? (Romans 11:20c; Colossians 2:18c)
They become proud and puffed up and useless as far as God is concerned.
b. What happens when a person underestimates their abilities? (verses 4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:14-22)
They don’t try to do anything and are equally useless as far as others are concerned….EVERY person has something they can contribute to the local church.
c. How is a person to evaluate their capabilities? (verse 6a; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
They are to be willing to help where they can and work in with others. The more they do, the more they will find they CAN do!
d. What gifts has every believer been given? (verses 9-12)
We all have the capacity for loving each other and being kind; working well at our jobs, rejoicing in the Lord and praying.
e. What illustration is Paul using to get his point across? (verses 5-6; 1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
Just as a human body has many members all with different functions, so the body of believers is made up of many people with different capabilities.
f. How does a body function? (1 Corinthians 12:18-20, 25)
Each part does what it is made to do in unity with the whole….e.g. the eye cannot hear and doesn’t try, nor does the hand do the walking or the feet the writing!
g. Who gives the different gifts to the church? (1 Corinthians 12:8-11)
The Holy Spirit of God
h. What do verses 1-5 show a believer has a duty to ?
God has brought each believer into the body of the church, and therefore a person has a duty to Him to do their bit.
i. We might feel quite insignificant in the light of the first mentioned gifts, but what gifts are ALL believers given? (Ephesians 4: 7,13)
The gift of faith to believe, the gift of eternal life, the gift of God’s love which we can pass on to others, the gift of prayer, and the gift of knowing Christ.
j. We can understand the gifts of preaching and teaching, but what are the two most unlikely things mentioned in verse 8 as gifts and how are we to act with them?
i. Giving to others do it simply and quietly with no fuss or fanfare
ii. Showing mercy and kindness…. do it cheerfully.
k. We can ALL do verses 9-10 what are these gifts?
Love others without hoping to gain anything for oneself; detest what is evil and hang onto what is good; love other believers and allow them to take the credit and honour them for what they do.
l. What gift can we ALL give our employers? (verse 11)
The gift of a good days work done to the best of our ability, doing it as to the Lord.
m. What gifts can we ALL display when things go wrong? (verse 12)
To be joyful and thankful for the positive things that we have, to be patient and uncomplaining when going through trouble; to be hospitable, as it takes our minds off ourselves! To continue to pray….for others as well as our problems, and to give to those who are worse off than yourself.
3. Verses 13-21
a. What controls the body? Who are we answerable to? (Ephesians 5:23b)
As the head controls the body, so our Head, the Lord Jesus Christ, should be allowed to control us, His body of people who are answerable to Him.
b. What is the purpose of these gifts in this passage? (1 Thessalonians 2:11-12)
To build up the body of Christ, in helping other Christians physically, mentally and spiritually. To work together as one, with each person doing their bit in using their gift; to comfort one another.
c. What do these verses show a believer has a duty to? (verses 15-21; chapter 15:1-3)
The believer has a duty to fellow believers and to the church, to build up and work with others….to be CONstructive, not DEstructive!
d. What group of people is this passage concerned with? Who are these ones the believer has a duty to? (verses16-21)
Those outside the church, the ones who might persecute or wrong you….those who dislike you and what you stand for.
e. What is the right attitude to have towards these people? (verses 18-2; Matthew 5:39-44)
To be sympathetic and have a listening ear, to not be rude, arrogant or dogmatic in presenting the message, to be honest and humble, not paying back evil with evil, but doing good to those who persecute you.
f. Who is our great example to follow? (1 Peter 2:21-22)
Our Lord Jesus Christ suffered for sin He never committed, taking all the beatings quietly and patiently without answering back.
Romans Thirteen…..(v.1-14)
1. Verses 1-14
a. What duty do believers have in this passage? (verse 1a)
They have a duty to be subject to the Government and laws of the land, to pay their taxes quietly and uncomplainingly.
b. What are we told about those who are in the Government over us? (verses 1b-5)
They are appointed by God to rule over us, and are answerable to Him in the end….the believer’s part is to obey their rules.
c. What is a believer’s responsibility toward their government and rulers? (1 Timothy 2:1-3)
To pray for them and their rules, so that the Gospel won’t be hindered in going out.
d. What is the right attitude to have towards the rulers, both local and nationally? Do we have this attitude? (verses 6-7)
It is to be one of submission, respect and honour….we don’t do this as much as we should!
e. How does God view the right attitude towards the rulers? (1 Timothy 2:3; 1 Peter 2:13-15)
It is acceptable to Him, and is a good testimony to others.
f. What group of people is this passage showing the believer’s duty to? (verses 8-10)
To our neighbours…..we are to love our neighbours as much as we love ourselves.
g. What is the attitude that fulfills the law to one’s neighbour? (verses 8, 10)
The law of love….we are to love them and to be fair and honest, not stealing or lying or interfering with them, but being helpful whenever possible.
h. Who is the example for us to follow in this respect? (Philippians 2:3-5)
Jesus Christ is our prime example to follow.
i. What attitude are we to have to others? (verse 10)
The attitude of love.
j. What duty have we to the community around us? How could you describe it in this day and age? (verses 10-13)
To be doing good works, not having parties or creating noise hazards, to be honest and open, not trying to keep up with the Joneses.
k. What duty do we have to the Lord? (verses 12-14)
We are to put on His attitudes and actions, to be humble and self effacing. We are to KNOW who we are, what we stand for.
l. What does the believer have NO duty to? (verse 14b)
The believer has no duty to the flesh or to self… the flesh is to be put aside and counted as dead to us….it only leads to death if it rules.
m. What is the believer to do with the flesh? (verse 14b; chapter 8:12-13; Galatians 5:24)
The believer is to crucify the flesh and not even recognise its claims.
Romans Fourteen…..(v.1- 23)
1. Verses 1-9 Ephesian s 6:6-8 Colossians 3:23-25
a What is the believer to do about the grey areas where nothing specific is laid down? (verses 1-2)
To take the matter to the Lord and be fully persuaded in one’s own mind what one should do….always remember that if it’s doubtful, it’s dirty!
b. Can we make up rules for the next person? (verses 3-4)
No, we are to do what we feel is right and not condemn someone else who sees things differently.
c. Who does the ultimate judging? (verses 10-11)
God is the final judge.
d. What is the main criteria for everything that is done? (verse 6)
We are to give thanks to God for it, whether it be the day, or our food, or our work and hobbies, and do it as to the Lord.
e. What does the believer have to remember in the way that he behaves? (verse 7; 1 Corinthians 8:9,13; 1 Timothy 5:14b)
That there are others watching us and to make sure our behaviour will not cause others to be offended or stumble.
f. What are some examples of this in our society today?
Social drinking, going to doubtful places.
g. “No man is an island”….what are some examples of this in the light of these last few verses? (Galatians 5:13-14
People watch what we do and if we don’t measure up to God’s standard it affects everyone who knows us…..others have a much higher standard of behaviour for believers than they have for themselves! Some examples are a broken marriage which causes great hurt to those near and dear…family members, church members, and causes others to point the finger reproachfully. Any known wrong-doing such as immorality, stealing, or abuse breaks down the testimony.
h. Who is a believer to ultimately live for? (verses 7-9)
The Lord, not himself.
2. Verses 10-14
a. Who are we all answerable to? (verses 10-12; John 5:22, 12:48)
The Lord Jesus Christ and His Words.
b. What is every single person going to have to do one day? (verse 12; Matthew 25:31-32; Romans 1:20c)
They will have to stand before God without a single valid excuse left.
c. What are the believers going to have to do?
We are going to have to give an account of ourselves before God and the angels.
d. Who will accuse the believer? (verse 12; 1John 1:9)
The believer will blame himself (not EXCUSE) himself when standing before God for all the unconfessed sin in his life……CONFESSED sin is completely forgiven and forgotten, praise the Lord!!!
e. In the light of this, what are NOT to do? (verse 1)
We are not to judge fellow believers nor are we to do anything that might stumble them in their Christian walk.
f . What is the main rule when it comes to rules about what to eat and drink or what to refrain from? (verses 13-15, 22-23)
In private we can eat and drink what we like (as long as it does not contravene God’s laws), remembering we do it before the Lord. But if we are in public, we should not eat or drink anything that might offend them or cause them to stumble.
g. How important is what we eat and drink? (verse 17)
Not very important at all as far as God is concerned….it is a means to the end of keeping us fit and healthy. Remember, it is worse to overeat than anything else!
h. What sort of attitude are we to have in what we eat? (verses 20-21)
To eat in faith with a clear conscience before God, that we are not offending other people.
i. What is doing something without faith and a clear conscience before God? (verse 23)
It is sin and should be avoided
j. What should be more important to the believer than food? (verse 17)
Rejoicing in the Lord and walking in righteousness and peace with each other.
k. Who sees and takes notice of these right attitudes? (1 Corinthians 8:1-13)
Both God and other people.
Romans Fifteen…..(v.1-33)
1. Verses 1-13
a. What is to be my first aim in life? (verses 1-2)
To please others and not myself!
b. In what way am I to please others? (verse 2)
In ways that will edify them and build them up.
c. Who is our example to follow? (verse 3; John 8:29)
Christ did not please Himself but His Father in Heaven.
d. How can we know these things? (verse 4)
From the Scriptures which were written for our learning and comfort.
e. What else do the Scriptures do for us? (verse 4b)
They give us hope for time now, and hope for eternity (the future).
f. What is Paul’s desire for the believers in this passage? (verse 6)
That they be in unity with each other in glorifying God.
g. What were they to be united in? (verse 6)
Praising God the Father and Jesus Christ His Son.
h. Why were they to receive one another? (verse 7)
Because they themselves have been received by Christ.
i. What has to be exercised before there can by unity? What does unity bring? (verses 6, 13; Psalm 133:1-3)
Humility, patience and love, which in turn brings peace of mind, and peaceable actions. It is like a fragrant ointment that runs through the whole congregation bringing a sweet perfume to all there and refreshing their spirits.
j. What was the situation there that could have destroyed this unity and peace? (verses 8-12)
The fact that their congregations were made up of both Jews and Gentiles with different cultural backgrounds.
k Who did Christ primarily come for? (Matthew 15:24)
The lost sheep of the house of Israel.
l. Who has come into these blessings when Israel turned away? (verses 9-12, 16)
The Gentile nations have now come into these blessings if they come to Christ.
m. What do the quotations in verses 9-12 show?
That the Old Testament prophets foretold this would happen….these prophecies are now being fulfilled and clearly seen.
n. What do we see about God in verses 12-13?
We see the Trinity here….the Root of Jesse being Christ the Son, the God of Hope is the Father and the Holy Spirit gives power.
o. How does mankind relate to God in these verses? (verse 13; Ephesians 1:12; )
Mankind TRUSTS in Jesus Christ, the Root of Jesse, and RECEIVES joy, hope and peace from God the Father and is enabled to do this through the POWER of the Holy Spirit.
2. Verses 14-33
a. What is Paul confident of in verse 14?
He is confident that the believers at Rome were filled with the Christian graces and able to teach other.
b. What did Paul feel his qualifications were, in being a missionary? (verses 15-20; chapter 1:1)
The fact that he was called by God to be an apostle and that many of the Gentile people had become converted through his preaching; he had seen the mighty power and moving of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives when he preached.
c. What did God say of Paul at his conversion? (Acts 9:6, 15-16)
He was told to go into the city and wait until he was told what to do….God told Ananias that he (Paul) was a “chosen vessel” who would preach to the Gentiles before rulers and to the Jews as well.
d. What was Paul’s great desire at this time? (verses 22-24)
To visit the Roman believers on his way to Spain.
e. What was he intending to do before this projected trip? (verses 25-28)
To take a financial gift to the poor believers in Jerusalem from the Christians in Macedonia and Achaia
f. What is the gift referred to as, in verse 28?
As fruit of those who gave it.
g. What does he suggest about this gift in verse 27?
That the Gentile believers had a duty to give this in return for the spiritual blessings they had received from the Lord.
h. How can we put this into practice today? (1 Corinthians 9:14; 2 Corinthians 9:7-13)
By supporting and giving freely to those who are in need and/or seeking to spread the Word.
i. What is Paul asking for in this passage? (verse 30)
Prayer for himself and his immediate task.
j. What were his plans? What was he concerned about? (verse 31)
He was planning to go back to Jerusalem with a monetary gift for those in need there….he needed a safe journey, as there were many after his life and he wondered how the recipients of the his gift would feel about it.
k. What was his desire when he got to Rome? (verse 32)
That he would be joyful and encouraged by them when he finally got there.
l. How is God described here? (verse 33, chapter 16:20a)
As the God of peace.
Romans Sixteen…..(v.1-27)
Read the whole chapter through first….
1. Verses 1-16
a What is this last chapter all about?
It is greetings to various ones in the Church at Rome.
b. Remembering that Paul had never been to Rome yet, or to the church there, what do some of these names tell us? (verses 7a, 11a)
That a lot of people that he knew and was related to, had moved there to live.
c. What sort of person was Phebe? (verses 1-2)
She was a loyal, hardworking member of the church at Cenchrea. It seems that she in was in Rome on business, and was a very hospitable person who Paul had actually stayed with on many occasions.
d. What is Paul actually doing in verses 1-2?
He is introducing Phebe to the believers in Rome and recommending her to them when she arrived at their meetings.
e. What is the purpose of a letter of introduction? Do you think they are relevant today? (Acts 18:27)
It was sent so that those who the visitor was going to would have confidence in accepting them. Yes, it is relevant (although not often done) today and only good manners to have one.
f. Where did Paul first meet Priscilla and Aquila? (Acts 18:1-3)
On his visit to Corinth.
g. What was Aquila’s background? (verse 2a)
He had Jewish parents, was born in Pontus near the Black Sea, and had been living in Italy before going to Corinth.
h. What was his occupation? (verse 3)
He was a tent-maker.
i. What sort of people were Priscilla and Aquila? (verses 3-5a)
They were a godly couple who were able to teach the Scriptures, and had been a help to Paul in more ways than one. They had had him in their home and enjoyed fellowship together and went out with him when he was preaching. There was a church meeting based at their home.
j. What does verse 7 tell us?
That Andronicus and Junias were Paul’s relatives and had also been (if not still were) in prison. They used to gather with the apostles and had become Christians before Paul had. They could have been among the first missionaries to Rome.
k. What do we know of Rufus’ father? (verse 13; Mark 15:21)
He was Simon the Cyrenian who carried the cross of Jesus on the way to the crucifixion.
l. What can we assume in reading verse 13?
There are greetings to Rufus and his mother, but no mention of his father, so we can assume that Simon has died.
m. How does it seem that the church in Rome met? (verses 5, 15)
It seems that there were several house groups scattered around the city.
2. Verses 17-27
a. What does Paul go on to warn the people about? (verses 17-18)
Those who make divisions and cause trouble in the church, especially in the area of wrong doctrine.
b. What were the believers to do about people like this? (2 Thessalonians 3:6-7,14)
They were to warn them and if they wouldn’t listen, they weren’t to have anything more to do with them unless they repented.
c. What (or who) were these people basically serving? (verse 18)
They were more concerned with their own ego and pride than they were with building up the church. They weren’t serving the Lord at all.
d. What is a good rule to follow? (verse 19b)
To be wise about what is good and keeping away from all that is evil.
e. Who actually wrote this letter? (verse 22)
Tertius wrote it while Paul dictated it to him.
f. Read each of these references here…. (verse 25; Matthew 24:14; Romans 1:16; 15:16; Ephesians 6:15; Titus 1:2-3; Revelation 14:6)
Do you think that there is any difference between the Gospel of Paul, the Gospel of Christ, the Gospel of God, the Gospel of Peace, the Everlasting Gospel and the Gospel of the Kingdom?
From the reading of all these verses, there doesn’t appear to be any difference between them, the one Gospel proclaims that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for man’s sins and it is only by believing in Him that a person can be saved from God’s anger and judgement. (Some people make a difference between them as being applicable to different times at the end of age before Christ returns, but the essential message is the same…..Christ is the only way to come to God.)
g. Who is the Gospel available to? (verse 26)
It is available to ALL nations, anyone who will listen and come to Christ.
h. How does Paul describe the Gospel in verse 25?
He calls it the revelation of the mystery which was kept a secret from the beginning of time until then.
i. How does Colossians 1:27 enlarge on this thought?
The “mystery” is simply that the Gentile nations are now able to come to God through Christ…..something that had been undreamed of before this time! Not only that, but Christ lives in each believer!
j. What backs this doctrine up? (verse 26)
It was all written in the Old Testament Scriptures many hundreds of years earlier by the ancient prophets, but no-one understood it or could see it.
k. What is the point of all this in verse 27?
So that God could be glorified through Jesus Christ by His people for ever!