Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Adult Bible Study on Romans 1:1-17

Romans 1:1-17

(New International Version)

 

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

 

To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:

 

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

 

11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

 

14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

 

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

 

 

1. Paul introduces himself in this letter as a servant of Christ who is called to be an apostle. What do you notice about this introduction?

 

Paul says what he is first (a servant of Jesus), then describes his role (apostle). Whatever else we are (spouse, parent, employee, business owner, hobbyist, friend, position in the church), we should count ourselves as servants of Jesus first. Then, we can talk about our calling in life.

 

 

2. Verses 3 and 4 remind us that the man Jesus was an earthly descendant of David, but He was proven to be the Son of God when the Spirit raised Him from the dead. How does this mirror our own reality?

 

Like Jesus, we are one thing in our earthly nature, but by the power of God, we are appointed to something so much higher. We become God’s children and walk in the power of the Spirit of God.

 

 

3. Who is greeting the Roman church in verse 7?

 

The greeting is actually from God the Father and Jesus. Their greeting to the church is to give them grace and peace. It’s also God’s greeting to us each time we meet with Him. He wants to impart grace and peace to us.

 

 

4. In verse 8-10, Paul says he thanks God for and prays for the Christians in Rome. Why is it important to thank God for and pray for other Christians?

 

For me, it’s important to remember that that group of Christians I belong to are not the only followers of Christ in the world. We belong to a much larger family of God and need to look beyond ourselves to care for and be encouraged by others.

 

It’s also good to remember that Christianity extends beyond my culture. Christianity is not limited by the practices of one particular group of Christians. It’s worldwide, and Christians in other places experience and worship Jesus in other ways than I’m used to. We can all learn from and be enriched by one another.

 

It would be a good practice to think about how Christians in other parts of the world interpret certain passages of Scripture and pray for them as they face challenges unique to their culture. Many Christians face persecution in their home countries.

 

 

5. In verse 15, Paul says he’s eager to preach the gospel in Rome? You might not be an Apostle like Paul was, but we should all be eager to share the gospel with others? What holds you back?

 

Some reasons people might not want to share their faith include:

 

It’s not socially acceptable to talk about your religion.

We don’t feel like we know enough about the Bible to talk about it.

We don’t feel like we’re good enough Christians for others to take us seriously.

We don’t have time to talk to someone seriously about the faith.

 

 

6. In verse 16, Paul says he’s not ashamed of the gospel. Why is he not ashamed, and how can that encourage us to overcome our hesitation to share our faith?

 

The gospel is the power of God for salvation.

 

It’s true. It’s powerful. It’s from God, not from ourselves. We don’t need to be hesitant or shy about sharing it. It doesn’t depend on us but on God. If we tell someone how God has saved us, we can trust that God will begin working in their heart to save them too. We don’t need to have all the answers or be as mature of a Christian as we will one day become. We simply need to point them to God.

 

What to DO after reading this passage

In verses 11 and 12, Paul says he wants to share his spiritual gifts with the Christians in Rome and wants himself and them to be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. Think about what gifts the Spirit has given you to share? How can you use those gifts this week to encourage the Church?

 

Here are two lists of spiritual gifts to help you consider. Note: These are not all the spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible.

 

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 - Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

 

Romans 12:6-8 - We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

 

 

 

Do you have another insight into this passage? Please share below!

 

 

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