Bible Study on Romans: Justification Illustrated, Pt 2: Romans 4:6-8

Summary: In his development of justification by faith, Paul uses two O.T. heavyweights to illustrate his point that all of us are most dependent upon the work of God for our salvation. Abraham was justified by faith not works, and David was forgiven from his sins through repentance, not by covering them up or trying to rationalize them.

1. A. In Rom. 4:6-8, what does Paul quote from David, and what is the main issue?

B. What caused the misery and pain that David described in Ps. 32:1-5, and why? What was the solution according to these verses?

C. Is there anything you are covering up or trying to hide from God? What does God want you to do about it? Prov. 28:13; I Jn 1:5-10.

2. A. What is the first word in Rom. 4:7 and in 4:8?

B. What does “blessed” mean and what is it based on? Neh. 8:10; Ps. 32:11; Ps. 103:12; Isa. 35:10.

C. Do you have the joy of the Lord? Why or why not? Ps. 16:11; John 15:4-11

3. A. What are the four “Pauline Psalms” according to Luther?

B. Using the Pauline Psalms, explain and defend this statement: “It isn’t that we don’t have any transgression sin and guilt. It’s that we have a lot of it, and it has all been forgiven!”

C. Are you prepared to share justification by faith using only the OT, such as with a Jewish friend, should the opportunity arise?

4. A. Name the six points of forgiveness.

B. What are the Scriptures that give us these six things?

C. Pick two of these and share how the LORD has worked in your own life.

For a discussion on this Bible Study go to the discussion forum: Active Bible Study or leave a comment.

Ten Commandments

Jesus shows us in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7) that true faithfulness to God’s commandments involves both outward action and inward attitude. Based on those requirements, none of us can claim to have obeyed the Lord flawlessly, by His Holy Spirit God has changed us so that every true Christian wants to please the Lord and do His will. How can you live out the Ten Commandments in the situations you face this day?

Tabletalk

Bible Study on Romans: Justification Illustrated: Romans 4:1-5

Summary: Paul has been explaining the righteousness of God and justification by faith in the Lord Jesus from 1:18-3:31. Christ is both “the just” as well as “the justifier” so that there is no room for boasting on anyone’s part. That would include Abraham, who Paul uses to illustrate his point that everyone is dependent on the work of God for salvation.

1. A. Review the main point of Paul’s explanation of Rom. 3:19-31 and what are they?

B. Explain the argument Paul uses to develop these points.

C. Are you prepared to explain these issue to others who need Christ?

2. A. Who did Paul use as his first illustration for justification by faith, and why? (Romans 4:1-2)

B. Identify and explain “the 3 imputation” from Scripture, and how they fit in with Abraham. (Romans 5:12-14; Isaiah 53:6; and II Cor. 5:21 with Romans 4:3)

C. How have you responded to this definition of justification found in Romans 4:3?

3. A. What is the main idea of Romans 4:4?

B. Explain what this implies about God, and why it is so wrong. Can God be in debt to anyone? (Dan. 4:32; Ps. 49:7-8; Romans 11:36; Romans 9:31-33)

C. Are you self sufficient, so that God owes you something? How do you handle this? (Luke 18:9-14; Matt. 19:14; Dan. 4:37; James 4:13-16

4. A. According to Romans 4:5, who is it that God justifies? How are they described?

B. What does this mean about how much they contribute towards their salvation? (2 Tim. 1:9; Titus 3:5; Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 9:31-33)

C. So what is our part? What can we actually do? (Micah 6:8; John 15:5; 2 Peter 3:18)

For a discussion on this Bible Study go to the discussion forum: Active Bible Study or leave a comment.

Bible Study on Romans: Justification By Faith, Pt. 4: Romans 3:27-31

Summary: Paul is addressing a key question in the paragraph of 3:21-31. How can a righteous and holy God forgive sinners, and yet maintain His justice? The satisfaction of God’s righteousness is met through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus, as judgment in our place to pay the penalty for our sins. Because Christ is both “the just” as well as “the justifier,” there is no room for any boasting on our part.

1. A. Review the monetary and the legal terms regarding justification by faith in verses 24-26. What are they?

B. Compare the role that God takes in these verses to the role of man. How are they different? (See also Ephesians 2:1-10).

C. What is our proper place, and what should be our response? (Jn. 3:30, Ps.111:1-10, Jn. 1:12)

2. A. What kind of attitude does Paul address in 3:27?

B. Is this a sin, and if so why? (I Cor. 1:26-29, Mark 7:21-23, I Cor. 4:7, Jer. 49:16, James 4:13-16, Isa. 2:11).

C. How should we handle pride and self reliance when it creeps up in our hearts? (I Jn 1:9, Judges 7:2-7, Dan. 4:37, James 4:6-10).

3. A. In Romans 3:28-30 Paul asserts that the Lord is God both of the Jews and of the Gentiles, based upon what attribute of God? (Deut. 6:1)

B. Is the God of the New Testament different than the one of the Old Testament? Why or why not? (Num. 23:19, Isa. 6:1-3, Rev.

4:8-11)

C. How do we benefit from the fact that God is unchangeable? (Prov. 3:5-6)

4. A. How does boasting relate to the Jews? (v 29)?

B. Why would the Jews feel they had anything to boast about, compared to the Gentiles?

C. If boasting exposes a prideful attitude, what must God think it? (see also Prov. 16:18).

5. A. What do we as believers “establish” according to Paul in Rom. 3:31?

B. If justification by faith is “apart from the Law,” then explain what it means to establish the Law. (Rom. 3:26; 10:4; Col. 1:27-28)

C. How can we carry out our obedience to God without being dependent on the Law? (John 10:27, 14:15)

For a discussion on this Bible Study go to the discussion forum: Active Bible Study or leave a comment.

Bible Study on Romans: Justification By Faith, Pt. 3: Romans 3:25-26

Summary: God’s perfect plan of salvation was carried out completely and made available to all who have faith in Jesus.

1. A. If verses 23 and 24 deal with the “economic” terms related to salvation (cost, gift, etc.), what aspect of salvation do verses 25 and 26 address?

B. What words are used that reflect this element of salvation?

C. How do these words relate to you personally?

2. A. What is “Yom Kippur?” How often was it celebrated? What did it signify? (See Lev. 16:1-22)

B. How many goats were used/offered on the Day of Atonement? What did they signify?

C. What aspect of Christ’s work is portrayed by the goat which was sacrificed? In the “scapegoat” being sent away? Why is this important to you?

3. A. How were Old Testament believers made right with God?

B. New Testament believers?

C. You??

4. A. What does it mean to have “faith in Jesus”? (cite some NT verses to support your answer)

B. Why is Jesus the only way to God?

C. How can you share this truth with others?

For a discussion on this Bible Study go to the discussion forum: Active Bible Study or leave a comment.

Romans Bible Study: Justification By Faith, Pt 2: Romans 3:23-24

Summary: God’s justification of those who believe is provided freely by His grace. The basis or ground for this justification is the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The cost to Him was His beloved Son; to us it if free.

1. A. What is the context of these two verses?

B. What is the significance of verse 23 in this context? (Rom. 5:12;2:12-21) What does it mean to fall short?

C. When did you realize that verse 23 applied to you, too (or have you yet?)

2. A. What is the foundational principle of justification by faith?

B. What is grace (see Rom. 11:6; Eph. 2:4-9)?

C. Why is it important to understand God’s grace personally?

3. A. What’s said about redemption in this context?

B. What is redemption? (See Lk 2:28; Rom. 8:23; I Cor. 1:30; Eph. 1:7, 14; 4:30)

C. How does this passage help us to see things from God’s perspective? How does it contrast to man’s usual perspective? How does this contrast emphasize the significance of what God’s grace and redemption mean to us?

4. A. What keeps people from accepting God’s free gift in Christ?

B. It is more difficult to accept Christ in our culture today than when Paul wrote Romans. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?

C. Discuss ways to present the gospel to people in your personal areas of influence.

For a discussion on this Bible Study go to the discussion forum: Active Bible Study or leave a comment.

Bible Study on Romans: Justification By Faith Pt. 1: Romans 3:21-22

Summary: Having introduced his letter to the church in Rome and then anchoring his case that all have sinned in 1:1-3:20, Paul starts the next critical point in his development of the gospel 8n 3:21. We have a holy God, and the dilemma of how to reconcile and justify vile and helpless sinners to Himself. The “how” of that answer begins here. It is “apart from the Law.”

1. A. Up to this point in Romans what verses did Paul use to develop the righteousness and justice of God?

B. How does this affect mankind? What are the various categories given by Paul of people as they relate to God?

C. What should be your response when exposed to the righteousness and holiness of God? Isa. 6:1-8; Rev. 1:12-19, Luke 5:8, I Jn. 1:9

2. A. Where in Romans 1-3 did Paul discuss the role of the Old Testament Law?

B. Where does the Law fit in, according to God’s purpose? What does it accomplish? Rom. 3:12, 3:19-20; II Cor. 3:7-9; Acts 13:39; James 2:10.

C. How would you describe your response to the Law? Why?

3. A. What Scriptures can you share for the way to be saved? “What must I do to be saved?” Jn. 6:28-29, 3:1; Acts 16:30-34; Rom. 3:22-24

B. What kind of belief is this that produces genuine salvation? Jn. 3:36; James 2:19; Matt. 16:24-26; Jn. 10:27; Rom. 10:9-10

C. How would you characterize your own faith?

4. A. How were people saved in OT times—by works or by grace?

B. How would you explain the relationship between faith and works back then? Gen. 15:1-6; Rom. 4:3; Jer. 23:6; Ps. 32:1-5, 51:1-7, 10, 17; Ps. 119:9-11

C. How would you describe your own faith and works today and how they fit together?

For a discussion forum go to: Active Bible Study

Bible Study on Romans: The Verdict: Romans 3:9-20

Were “we” (Christians) any better than “they?” (unbelievers)

Why is Paul’s use of old testament scripture important in his argument?

Verses 9-20 have been characterized as Paul’s “closing argument” in the “case” he is presenting. How can it be considered both a closing argument and a verdict?

What words are used in this “indictment” to indicate its extent and/or scope?

List out the 14 indictments of Roman 3:10-18. Read at least 3 of the following passages (Psalm 5, 10, 14, 36, 53, 140 and Isaiah 59:1-8) and list out other phrases from those passages that are similar to the indictments of Romans 3.

What do these old testament passages teach about how man can be rescued from his lowly state (redemption)? How is that similar to today? Based on scripture (Romans 3:15-18) should we be surprised at our world today? How can we use these verses in our witnessing efforts?

What is the last sin listed? (v.18)

Why is there no “fear of God before their eyes?” Find several biblical passages that show the positive results of a healthy “fear of the Lord.” What are those results?

Find several biblical passages that show the negative results of the lack of a “fear of the Lord.” What are those results?

Compare the two lists of results with what you find in your own life. How can you foster a life that fears Him more?

Bible Study on Romans: Three Common Questions: Romans 3:1-8

1. A. Review the context that has led Paul to Chapter 3.

B. What advantage, then, does the Jew have? What are the oracles of God?

C. What led you to your current relationship with God? What advantage is it?

2. A. What is the question Paul asks in verse 3?

B. What’s another way of stating it, more along the lines you might hear from a modern sophisticate today (Matthew 7:13-14)?

C. How many people would it take to outvote God? How many do you know who have tried?

3. A. What’s the gist of the questions Paul asks in verses 5-7?

B. What does Paul mean by saying, “I am speaking in human terms,” in verse 5?

C. How does Paul answer his own question?

4. A. What is the question Paul asks in verse 8?

B. What’s behind this question that many people ask today? What’s wrong with that kind of reasoning?

C. How have you answered this question in your own life?

5. A. Observe the progression of who Paul is writing about in verses 1-8.

B. Why would Paul include himself and “us” in this discussion?

C. Have you identified with any of these questions Paul raises? If so, which ones?

6. A. Find and discuss the four qualities or attributes of God mentioned in these verses.

B. How do these tie into the questions Paul raises?

C. Which attributes of God means the most to you? Why?

7. Identify the “May It Never Be” statements in Romans.

Bible Study on Romans: Religious Hypocrisy: Pt. 2: Romans 2:25-29

Summary: The Jew is condemned because of his religious hypocrisy and because he trusts in the rite of circumcision. A true Jew is one who’s heart has been circumcised before God.

1. A. What is the main issue Paul is addressing in verses 25-29?

B. Why did God give His people the ritual of circumcision? (Gen. 17) In what ways did the Jews move away from the true meaning of the covenant in their actions?

C. What does the Bible say about circumcision for the Christian? (Galatians 5:1-12)

2. A. What does this passage say about the Gentile who obeys the law? (2:14)

B. Yet why do you think Jews consider themselves superior to the Gentiles?

C. How does the religious man today fall into this trap? What are examples of modern religious rituals? How does God respond to ritualistic type ceremonies and behavior? (Jer. 9:23-26)

3. A. What can we learn about what God is looking for from Abraham’s example? (Rom. 4)

B. Which happened first in Abraham’s life—belief or religious ceremony? What can we learn from this?

C. Is there something you are relying upon other than Christ, His work and Person?

4. A. Discuss the use of comparison and contrast Paul uses in vs. 28, 29.

B. How is a true Jew described? What is a circumcised heart? (Deut. 10:16; Deut. 30:6; Jer. 4:4)

C. What would characterize a person with a circumcised heart today? (I Cor. 7:19; Gal. 5:6; 6:15)

5. A. From where does the true Jew receive praise?

B. Why is this important (Matt. 6:4-6; Heb. 4:12)? What is the danger of receiving praise from men rather than God?

C. What is your proper response when someone praises you?