Bible Study on Romans: The Heart of a Servant of God: Romans 1:8-15

Summary:    Here we see Paul’s heart for the Gentiles displayed in his prayer life; his desire to see the Romans and be encouraged with them and his commitment to the gospel.  His obligation, eagerness and unashamedness of the gospel marks him as one whom we can emulate.

1.These verses reveal Paul’s heart as a servant.  List specific ways this can be seen in this passage.

2.A.  Note several characteristics of prayer in verses 8-10.

B. What do you learn about prayer in this passage?  What is meant by unceasing prayer? Paul prayed specifically that he might be able to go to Rome.  Was this right or wrong?  Why?

C. How has Jesus’ call in your life (vs.6, 7) been reflected in your prayers?  For what things can we legitimately pray in a specific way?  What are some specific things for which you are praying?

3.A. How did Paul characterize his “preaching of the gospel” in verse 9?

B. What to you learn about that from the following verses:  Acts 7:7, 42; 24:14; Romans 12:1; 2 Tim. 1:3; Heb. 9:14;  Rev. 7:5?

C.  How Has Jesus’ call in your live (vs. 6,7) affected your actions?

4. A Note all the “I” statements in verses 8-16.

B  What do you learn about Paul in this passage?

C. How has Jesus’ call in your life (verses 6,7) changed your goals?  Your sense of obligation to others?  Your feelings about the gospel?

5. A Romans 1:12 advocates the gathering of believers as mutually beneficial.  List several reasons why this is so.

B. In what environment do you see this type of activity happening on a regular basis?

C Who recently encouraged you?  How?

Bible Study on Gospel of John: John 2.12-22

1A. Take a moment and write down all the attributes or characteristics of Jesus that you can think of. Do these attributes or characteristics tend to be positive or negative? Why?

1B. Review the scriptures from last week and read John 2.12-24. Contrast the picture we see of Jesus in these Scriptures.

1C. How does John’s picture of Jesus in these verses fit with today’s popular concept of Him?

2A. Read Ecclesiastes 7.9; Matthew 5.22; Romans 12.19. What does the Bible tell us about anger ?

2B. Do you believe that Jesus was angry as He stepped into the temple? Why was He so angry?

2C. How do you reconcile what the Bible tells us about our anger and the anger displayed by Jesus in this passage of Scripture?

3A. Let’s go back to the topic of anger. Read Proverbs 12.16, Proverbs 14.29; Proverbs 27.3. How does the Bible describe the person who allows anger to get the upperhand in a person’s life?

3B. Read Job 5.2; Proverbs 25.28. What can happen to a person who can not control his anger?

3C. Do you have an issue with anger? Take a moment and repent and ask forgiveness for this deadly sin.

4A. What is the significance of Jesus’ claim that the temple is “My Father’s house?”

4B. Read 1 Corinthians 3.16-17. What does the Bible call our bodies? Muse on this for a moment before answering…If we are the temple what things are you doing that are polluting God’s house? Have you sold out a part of your Christian faith and become a peddler of the things of God?

4C. Read John 2.17. What did the disciples remember after Jesus cleared the temple? How does God view the temple?

5A. Read John 2.18-22. When the Jews asked Jesus the question found in verse 18 they were questioning who had given Jesus the authority to cleanse the temple. Who did give Jesus the authority?

5B. How did Jesus respond? What do you think the Jews thought about the response?

Further Study:

1. Why is it important that the House of God be a place of purity? (Gen. 18.25; Heb. 9.27)
2. Why does God want a Christian to have a place of worship?
3. Why did God cleanse the temple? (Matt. 21.12-16; Mark 11.15-18; Luke 19.45-46)
4. Why do unbelievers fail to understand Jesus’ message? (John 3.3-4; 4.14-15; 6.32-35; 6.51-52; 7.34-36; 8.51-53; 8.56-57; 10.1-6)

Bible Study on Romans: The Obedience of Faith: Romans 1:5-13

Summary:    Paul was set apart for the gospel of God.  The gospel concerned His Son.  We discover a GEM in these few verses.  The GOAL is to bring about the obedience of faith. The EXTENT of the gospel is to all the Gentiles, and the MOTIVE for Paul’s writing is for Christ’s name sake.

1.A. What had Paul received from the Lord Jesus Christ in v.5?  What is grace?

B. How did Paul receive grace? For what purpose was it given to Paul?  Why was it necessary for Paul to be given grace to carry out his responsibilities?

C. Have you received grace?  If so, for what purpose has God given you grace? (note “grace” is used 21 times in Romans)

2.A. What was Paul’s goal here in v.5?

B. What is “obedience of faith”? (cf. 5:19; 6:16; 15:18; 16;19;16:26)  How are faith and obedience related to one another (Jn.3:36 & 2 Thess.1:8)?  Is obedience an “outward” or “inward” matter?  What does obedience prove (Jn.14:15ff)?

C. Personally identify areas of your life that you find it difficult to be obedient in?  Why is it difficult?  What will you do this week to bring those areas into submission to Christ?

3.A. Who is the gospel directed to?  What group of people?

B. Does that mean that Jews are excluded from the gospel? Why or why not?  Should the Jews have been surprised that “their God” was making Himself available to Gentiles?

C. How does this truth affect you personally?  Who should you witness to?

4.A. What is the motive for Paul’s mission of proclaiming the gospel?

B. What occurs when it is presented with the proper motive? (see Phil.1:15-18) What might be other motives for proclaiming the gospel?

C. What is your primary motive for proclaiming the gospel?  Is it the same as Paul’s?

5.A. How are believers described in vv.6-7?

B. What does it mean to be “called”? (see 1:1; 1:7; 8:28; 1Cor.1:1,2,24)  What does the term “beloved” mean?  Who are “saints”?  What do these terms imply about God’s purposes?

C. Knowing you are a saint, what does that require of you?  How can you participate with God in trying to live up to that title?

6. For Further study: Find the 10 uses of “peace” in Romans.

Bible Study on Romans: The Gospel of God: Romans 1:2-4

Summary: As Paul begins this tremendous book, his introduction covers the main point of what he will unfold over the next several chapters that is “the gospel of God.”  We observe in these first few verses that the gospel was promised beforehand; through the prophets; in the holy Scriptures and it concerns God’s Son.  It’s a message of hope and is obtained through faith.

 

1. A. How does Paul describe himself in v.1?

B. What does it mean to be “set apart” for the gospel?  How was Paul set apart?

C. In what practical ways are you set apart for the gospel?

2. A. What do you find out about the gospel in v.2?

B. Why is it important to establish the facts of the gospel given here?  What is the gospel not? Or where did it not come from? Why is that important?

C. How do these truths about the gospel cause you to respond?

3. A. What can you determine about “His Son” in v.3?  What part of His nature does it describe?

B. Who is David?  Why mention him in context of the gospel?  And why is it important that “His Son” be described in the context of David?

C. What difference does it make in your life that “His Son” is described the way he is in v.3?

4. A. What other way is “His Son” described in v.4?

B. Why is it important the “He” be described in the context of the resurrection?  Discuss several ways in which “He” displayed “His” diety while on earth.

C. What difference does that make to you?

5. A. What do you observe about the Spirit of holiness here?

B. What role does the Holy Spirit play in the proclamation of the gospel?

C. How do you and I cooperate with the Holy Spirit in presenting the gospel?  What is the difference between defending and presenting the gospel?  Which did the early disciples do?

6. Identify by name those whom you would like to share the gospel with over the next few weeks.  Discuss how you might do that with your group.

Bible Study (Romans): An Overview of the Gospel: Romans 1-8

1. What are the 2 main divisions of the book of Romans?

2. When was the Gospel first promised? (1:2) What OT passages can you find to support your answer?

3. Many consider Romans 1:16-17 to be the theme of Romans. Why? What are 6 truths that we can derive from these two verses?

4. What three types of people are described in 1:18-2:29? What common state do they all share in relationship to God?

5. The passage 3:21-5:21 tells us of God’s justification of the unjust. What is justification? What can you find out about it in 3:21-3:31?

6. What about people who lived before Paul’s time (ch 4)?  How were they justified?

7. What can you find out about justification in chapter 5?

8. The passage in Chapters 6-8 tells us of God’s sanctification of the believer. What is sanctification?  What can you find out about it in chapter 6?

9. What does chapter 7 say about the Law (7:6) in regard to sanctification?  About the flesh (7:18)? About the new nature (7:19-24)? About Christ (7:25)?

10. What is called for in believers in 8:1-9? What can be expected during the sanctification process (8:17)? What is Paul’s attitude toward it (8:18)?  What’s God’s (8:28)? What affect will it have on God’s relationship with the believer? (8:38-39)

11. Which category of person (1:1-18-2:29) would you classify yourself?

12. Make a commitment to read Romans a set number of times (ie 50) and have someone hold you accountable.

13. Using verses only from Romans, create a Gospel presentation to share with anyone.

Bible Study on Romans

Introduction to Romans 1.1

Read the book of Romans before you answer questions 1-5.

1. What two great doctrines are unfolded in Romans?

2. Describe some unique features of the Book including major divisions.

3. What is the 3-fold description of Paul in v.1?

4. How did Paul become an apostle?

5. How is the gospel described?

6. What does it mean to be a bond-servant? What did that mean for Paul?

7. What is an apostle? Are there still apostles today?

8. What does it mean to be “called?” In what ways are Christians called today? (Rom.1:6,7; 8:28; 1 Cor.1:1,2,24; Rev.17:14)

9. Describe how Paul was “set apart” for the gospel of God. How did that impact his life? (Acts 13:2; Gal.1:5; 1 Cor.5:9-11; 2 Cor.6:14-18)

10. What makes it the gospel “of God”? How is it different than man’s gospel?

11. What 3 positive things happen to a person (you) who devotes themselves to learning Romans? What plan will you put into effect to study Romans?

12. Which of the 3 descriptions of Paul would you personally identify with? Why? What does that require of you?

13. In what ways have you as a Christian been “set apart” from the world to the gospel? What do you need to do this week to fulfill that role?

Optional

* Do word studies on bond- servant, called, apostle and set apart.

* Determine the main divisions of the book.

Twenty Days of Prayer: Day 20

Scripture

John 12.24 Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

Proverbs 17.3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the LORD tests hearts.

These passages describe a vital principle of spiritual brokenness.

Questions for Reflection:

Do you become defensive and run from God’s conviction and breaking? Have you settled into a spiritual “coast” zone? Do you resent physical or emotional hardships rather than embrace them as opportunities to more fully experience Christ? Have you been wasting your sorrows by not seeking God’s lessons within them?

Scripture

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (10) For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Questions for Reflection:

Have you actually placed greater focus on your training or natural abilities than deep daily cleansing and fullness of the Holy Spirit? Are you often guilty of being prepared mentally but not spiritually?

Twenty Days of Prayer: Day 19

Scripture

Matthew 16:24-25 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. (25) For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Romans 6:6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

For all believers, there will be many points we must choose God’s will and way over our own (Isaiah 55.8). Our flesh and natural desires may clamor for one course of action, yet we know God’s wills another. Only as you choose to deny self, and by faith obey God, will you know His glorious power.

Questions for Reflection:

Has God told you to do something and yet you’ve tried to ignore Him? Has God told you to do something you’ve yet to do? Is God telling you to stop something you’re still doing? Is there some point you know you are resisting God’s voice? Have you been unwilling to fully lay family, relationships or work on the altar of surrender? Has God asked you to let go of something that’s really not an overt sin, but it is a hindrance.

Twenty Days of Prayer: Day 18

Scripture

James 1:23-24 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. (24) For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

Questions for Reflection:

Do you often sense God speaking, yet you tend to delay obedience? You don’t actually tell God no, but you put off your obedience. Believers make the tragic mistake of thinking that “considering” obedience is the same thing as obedience.

Seventh Category (Sins of self-rule and self-reliance)

Of all the categories, this one may require the most discernment and revelation from God. In this section, we consider subtle ways the old nature remains undetected and alive in key areas of one’s heart. Beyond question, many believers have uncrucified areas of self that seriously hinder the flow of Christ through their life.

The Flesh – In this section the term flesh denotes our human actions and thought when operating apart from the direct control of Christ.

Dying to Self – In this context, one must be willing to choose to deny (or die) to his own wishes and completely surrender to Christ.

As God sanctifies you in holiness, He will lead you through an ever-deepening process of death to self and life to Him.

Twenty Days of Prayer: Day 17

Scripture

Romans 6.14 For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.

Hebrews 4.1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it.

Questions for Reflection:

Have you identified your spiritual strongholds and claimed God’s full victory? Have you determined to overcome the sins that keep cropping up or do you put up with them? Do you make excuses for sing by calling it a “weakness” or a “personality trait”? Has satan deceived you to believe you cannot be free? Have you failed to fully resist satan until you experience complete spiritual victory? Are you too complacent and spiritually lazy to push forward into full victory?

Scripture

Jeremiah 29.13 You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart.

James 5.16…the prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

Questions for Reflection:

Are you fervently seeking God for more of His daily presence and power? Have you failed to embrace deepening levels of prayer and fasting? Do you resist the idea of any type of prayer that is costly or protracted?