Introduction
One of the Apostle Paul’s greatest writings, we have the explanation of many doctrinal issues presented in the first chapters. The later chapters include the practical aspects of living these out in everyday life.
Lessons
Romans 1
Read Romans chapter 1.
1. Who wrote this letter to the Romans, according to Romans 1:1, and how does he describe himself?
2. Paul referred to himself as a slave of Jesus Christ.
a. What do you think he wanted to communicate by using that term, especially since the gospel changes us from slaves to heirs of God (Galatians 4:7)?
b. Do you think we should also consider ourselves to be slaves of Jesus Christ? Explain your answer and include what this might look like as we live our lives?
3. How does Paul describe this Good News (gospel) he has been assigned to preach according to 1:3-5?
4. According to verse 5, what specific group of people was Paul to tell the gospel or Good News to?
5. What does Paul say sharing the gospel or Good News results in?
6. According to verses 11-12, why did Paul want to visit the Romans?
7. What does the gospel show us and how is it accomplished according to verse 17?
8. Why doesn’t anyone have an excuse for not knowing about God, according to verses 18-20?
9. In light of this means of knowing God (through the magnificence of God’s creations), what might those who push the theory of evolution really be attempting to accomplish?
10. What did people do rather than worship God, according to verses 21-23?
11. What was God’s reaction to their rebellion against Him in verse 24?
12. What practice is Paul speaking of in verses 26-27? Do you think what he says is very clear or, on the other hand, vague enough to condone the behavior as some do? Please explain your answer.
13. What was the result in their lives once God abandoned them to their own desires? (Verses 28-31)
14. Paul gives an extensive (though not complete) list of sin in verses 29-31. Why do you think he gives this long list, though he is most likely not saying that every person who rejects God is guilty of all of these?
15. What do these people know will be the result of such behavior according to verse 32?
16. What do these people do besides engaging in this type of behavior themselves?
17. In what ways has our culture today taken this last point to extremes?
Romans 2
Read Romans chapter 2
1. In verse 1, who is it that Paul says has no excuse?
2. What is it that brings condemnation?
3. Read Matthew 7:1-3 and put in your own words what Jesus says about judging others.
4. What will those who judge others but do the same things face, according to verses Matthew 7:2-3?
5. Instead of the judgment they deserve, what are the people now receiving from God according to verse 4?
6. What is God’s reason for kindness rather than judgment according to verse 4?
7. What difference do you see between this prohibition to judge and what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13?
8. Why do you think it is important to hold those within the church accountable for sin?
9. According to Romans 2:5, what awaits those who refuse to repent?
10. Verses 7-10 lay out the consequences of judgment. List what each group will receive:
a. Those who persist in doing good:
b. Those who do evil:
11. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus gives another picture of the Day of Judgment. What distinguishes the sheep from the goats and what is awaiting each?
12. Paul begins to address the issue of Jew vs. Gentile as some Jews were taking for granted salvation because of their inheritance as Jews and possession of the Law. What point does he make in verse 11?
13. According to verse 12, whether you know the Law or not, if you sin, what is the result of sin?
14. What is the key according to verse 13?
15. How are Gentiles to know what is right, according to verse 15?
16. In verses 17-23, what is the downfall of the pious Jew who loves to tell others what is right and what is wrong?
17. What happens among the Gentiles because of the hypocrisy of these Jews?
18. How do you see a similar situation in the church today?
19. What makes circumcision worthwhile according to verses 25-27? (See also Galatians 5:3)
20 What was the original purpose of circumcision according to Genesis 17:9-14?
21. What is true circumcision, according to Romans 2:28-29, and how does it apply to us?
Romans 3
Read Romans chapter 3.
1. What is Paul’s rhetorical question in verse 1?
2. In verse 2, what does Paul say is an advantage of being a Jew?
3. According to verses 3-4, does man’s failure or unfaithfulness cancel God’s faithfulness? In the end, who has the truth?
In verses 5-8, Paul points out the arguments some were making.
4. In verse 5, what is it that the unrighteousness or sinfulness of man exposes about God and causes some to say His punishment/wrath is unfair?
5. Summarize the case some were making in verses 6- 8; that the more they sin, the better it is.
6. What do verses 9-10 say is true about everyone, including Jews and Gentiles?
7. What are some of the sins listed in verses 11-18?
8. What is the purpose of the Law according to verses 19-20?
9. Who will be made right with God by following the Law of Moses according to verse 20?
10. How is righteousness attained by both Jew and Gentile according to verses 21-25?
11. Why is a believer excluded from boasting even though he/she may have done many good deeds? See verses 27-28.
12. Since both Jews and Gentiles are justified (made right with God) by faith, rather than by keeping the Law of Moses, does the Law become useless, according to verse 31?
Romans 4
Read Romans chapter 4
1. What was the promise God made to Abraham in Genesis 15:5?
2. What statement in Romans 4:1 demonstrates the fulfillment of God’s promise?
3. According to 4:1-4, how is Abraham counted as righteous before God?
4. According to verse 4, what does work result in?
a. Are wages deserved?
b. Who takes credit for wages earned?
5. According to verse 5, what must man believe about God to be justified or counted righteous?
6. How can you identify with David’s proclamation which Paul quotes in verses 7-8?
Note: As Paul addresses the role of circumcision in righteousness in verses 9-12, it is important to the Jews and Gentiles he is writing to, as Jews continued to adhere to circumcision and Gentiles did not.
7. According to verse 9, what makes no difference in regard to the blessing described in verses 7-8? (Note: Wording may differ depending on Bible translation used)?
8. According to verse 10, was Abraham already circumcised at that time?
9. According to verse 11, what role did circumcision have for Abraham?
10. Abraham is considered the spiritual father of whom, according to verses 11-12?
11. According to verse 13, what was the basis of the promise to Abraham that he would inherit the whole world?
12. What role, then, does the law have according to verse 15?
13. According to verses 16-18, what did God mean when He told Abraham, “I have made you the father of many nations? Or “father of us all?
14. From a human perspective, what does verse 19 say that, without great faith, could have made it difficult for Abraham to believe God when He told him he would be “father of nations?
15. According to verses 20-21, describe the faith that verse 22 proclaims was accounted to Abraham as righteousness.
16. Abraham continued to believe in God’s promise that he would be the father of many nations even when he and Sarah were no longer physically capable of having children. How is Abraham’s faith an example to us and what is the focus of our faith in verses 23-25?
Romans 5
Read Romans chapter 5
1. According to 5:1-2, through whom do we attain peace with God and on what basis (which we share with Abraham)?
2. What benefit is there in trials and tribulations according to 5:3-5?
3. According to verse 5, what is it that fills us with God’s love and security in our hope? See also, 2 Corinthians 1:22.
4. According to verse 6, what was our condition when Christ came?
5. According to verses 7-8, what demonstrates God’s love for us?
6. According to 1 John 4:9-12, what should God’s amazing love motivate us to do?
7. What does Christ’s death accomplish for those who believe according to verses 9-11?
8. According to verse 12, what was the result of Adam’s sin? See also 1 Corinthians 15:21-22.
9. According to verses 15-16, what is God’s gift, through whom did it come, and to what does it lead us?
10. Paul summarizes his thoughts in 5:18-19, focusing on Adam and Jesus Christ. What did each man contribute and what was the result?
11. What was the purpose of the Law given through Moses, according to 5:20-21?
Romans 6
Read Romans chapter 6
1. From Paul’s questions in verses 1-2, what is the argument he was expecting some to make, based on the grace of God he had just discussed? What is his emphatic answer?
2. How does Paul describe what baptism represents in 6:3-4?
3. In Matthew 3:11, how does John the Baptist describe the difference between the baptism he gave versus the baptism to come after the Messiah was to be revealed?
4. What does Jesus say regarding baptism in Matthew 28:19?
5. In Romans 6:4b, what does being raised with Christ result in for us? See also Colossians 2:12.
6. What is the good news in verses 6-7, 11 regarding sins power over us when we were united with Christ in His death?
7. What does Paul’s admonition in verse 12 imply about our role in our freedom from sin’s power over us?
8. Verse 13 gives us two alternatives. What are they, and how does Philippians 2:13 encourage you to make the right choice?
9. What are some strategies you use to avoid sin and live a righteous life before God?
Romans 7
Read Romans chapter 7
Review verses 1-6 as Paul begins to focus on the role of the Law of Moses.
1. In speaking about the Law of Moses, what is the general point Paul makes about the application or domain of the law in verse 1?
2. In verses 2-3, what is the example, or analogy, Paul gives to demonstrate his point from verse 1?
3. According to verse 4, what makes a believer dead to the power of the Law and what should the result of that severance from the Law free the believer to do?
4. According to verse 5, what did the Law arouse in us?
5. According to verse 6, once we become dead to the Law through Jesus Christ, how are we to serve or live?
6. According to verses 7-8, what important role does the Law play?
7. In verses 9-11, Paul explains that the Law, which was to bring life, actually brought him death. Why is that so? See Leviticus 18:5 and Romans 10:5.
8. What is Paul’s conclusion about the Law in verse 12?
9. Where does Paul conclude the trouble lies, according to verse 14?
10. What is Paul’s lament in verses 18-20?
11. Describe how you may have experienced something similar in your own life to what Paul describes there.
12. What is the principle or law Paul describes in verse 21?
13. Though Paul loves God’s Law, what is the power that he fights that is still at work in him and in us (see verses 22-23)?
14. What is the question Paul asks in verse 24?
15. In verse 25a, Paul answers his own question about who will set him free from the power of sin in his life. Who is it?
16. What do you think we need to do to access this freedom in our lives? What examples do you have of seeing this power at work in your life?
Romans 8
Read Romans chapter 8
1. What encouragement does Paul give in verse 1?
2. According to verse 2, what sets us free from the law, or power, of sin that leads to death?
3. Since we were unable to be free from sin by keeping the requirements of the law, what did God do for us according to verses 3-4?
4. Describe the two types of people discussed in verse 5.
5. Where does each one’s thinking lead to, according to verse 6?
6. How does verse 7 describe the nature that is hostile to God?
7. What is it that those controlled by the flesh, or sin nature, are unable to do, according to verse 8?
8. According to verses 9 and 14, what is the sign that one belongs to Christ and is a child of God?
9. What advantages do we have, according to verses 10-13, because the Spirit lives in us?
10. According to verses 15-17, what do we inherit by virtue of being adopted as God’s children?
11. What does all creation wait for according to verse 19?
12. According to verses 22-25, what are we waiting for and what role does hope play?
13. According to verses 26-27, how does the Holy Spirit intercede for us?
14. According to verse 29, what is the outcome God is waiting for, for those He has called?
15. What encouragement do you get from verses 31-32?
16. According to verse 34, where is Christ and what is He doing?
17. According to verses 38-39, how secure are we in God’s love? What does that security mean to you?
Romans 9
Read Romans chapter 9
1. Paul goes from rejoicing in the love of God (at the end of chapter 8) to lamenting (in chapter 9). What is Paul lamenting in verses 1-3, and what does he offer as a solution if it were possible?
2. In verse 4, what does Paul say were God’s benefits (actions) towards Israel?
Note: At this point in history, many Jews had put their faith in the Messiah but many more had not.
3. In verse 6, Paul begins to address questions that unsaved Israel might have at this point. What question does Paul raise in verse 6?
4. What were some of God’s promises to Israel, according to the following verses? Deuteronomy 7:6; Isaiah 44:1-3; Psalm 89:35-37.
5. How does Paul answer his own question from verse 6?
6. According to verses 7-8, who are considered to be the true children of Abraham rather than all of his physical descendants?
7. What principles does Paul demonstrate in his recounting of God’s choosing Jacob over Esau (the first born) in verses 10-14?
8. In verses 16-18, what does salvation depend on and what does not account for it?
9. What is the rhetorical question Paul asks in verse 19 and how does he answer it in verses 20-22?
10. What does verse 23 say about God’s purpose for showing patience to those destined for destruction?
11. In verses 25-29, what are the differences noted between God’s plan for Jews and His plan for Gentiles (“not My people”)?
12. In verses 30-33, Paul again distinguishes between faith and law keeping (works) as a means of getting right with God. What do the “law keepers” miss in stumbling over the stone or rock? Also see 1 Peter 2:6-8.
13. Thinking of your own life, describe ways you might sometimes prefer the law over faith?
Romans 10
Read Romans chapter 10
1. What desire does Paul reiterate in verse 1?
2. What was the problem with the zeal for God that the Jews had, according to verses 2-3?
3. How important do you think knowledge is in the case of pursuing God? How does zeal or enthusiasm fit in?
4. Where did the Jews go to understand what righteousness was, rather than seeking to know God’s righteousness (verse 3b)?
5. Paul says that Christ fulfilled the law for righteousness. What does he say is the basis for us to be righteous in verse 4?
6. What constitutes righteousness according to the Law of Moses? (See verse 5)
7. Paul lays out a clear path to salvation in verses 9-11. Read these verses and write out this plan of salvation in your own words.
8. What differences might you see, or have you seen, in your life when Jesus is Lord of it?
9. According to verses 12-13, is salvation different for Jews versus Gentiles? How is it achieved?
10. What are all the steps required for someone to call on the Lord, according to verses 14-15?
11. What is the source of faith according to verse 17? What are some of the ways people will hear the message? How can we have a role in this?
12. Which of these steps did Israel miss, according to verses 18-21?
13. Who responded instead to provoke Israel’s anger and cause jealousy (see verse 19 and 11:11, 14)?
Romans 11
Read Romans chapter 11
1. What does Paul say about God’s seeming rejection of Israel according to verses 1-2?
2. When Elijah believed he was the only one in Israel left of those faithful to God, what was God’s response in verse 4?
3. What does Paul (in verses 5-6) say is the situation today with the people of Israel and to what can this be attributed (also verses 7-10)?
4. From verse 9, from David’s prayer, in what way do you think bounty and blessings can become a snare and cause people to stumble before God?
5. What does Paul have to say about Israel’s disobedience? What did it result in, according to God’s plan? (See verses 11-12)
6. What does verse 12 imply about the future of Israel?
7. What is Paul’s desired end of taking the gospel to the Gentiles? (See verses 11-14)
8. What do you think the illustration of the branches demonstrates in verses 17-24?
9. What does Paul warn the Gentiles about in verses 19-21?
10. What two opposite traits does Paul attribute to God in verse 22 and under what conditions does he apply each of them?
11. In verse 25, Paul gives a hint at why this is all difficult to understand. What does he call it?
12. From verse 25, how long will Israel have hard hearts against the Lord?
13. What does “full number of Gentiles” coming to Christ imply?
14. According to verses 26-27, what happens to Israel when the “full number of Gentiles” come to Christ?
15. What does verse 29 say about God’s gifts and his call? How do you explain that?
16. Paul’s doxology in verses 33-36 answers those who would question God’s plan. Write the thoughts in your own words and record how you respond to their truths.
Romans 12
Read Romans chapter 12
1. In verse 1, Paul urges (or pleads for) our action, motivated by (or in view of) God. What is that action?
2. Describe a person who lives their life as holy and pleasing to God.
3. According to verse 2, how will you understand what God’s will is?
4. What is the admonition Paul gives us in verse 3?
5. What do you see as the pitfalls of today that might impede a sober evaluation of ourselves?
6. What do you think Paul is trying to communicate through his analogy in verses 4-8?
7. What do you think the church is doing, or should be doing, to help individuals identify their gifts and help find a place to use them as part of the body of Christ?
8. Paul gives us some “dos and don’ts” in verses 9-21. List them below.
Do Don’t
9. Assess yourself based on these lists. Make a list of the things you feel the Holy Spirit may be urging you to work on in your life. Offer a prayer to God, admitting any weakness He reveals and asking Him to help you. Be reminded of your source of strength and help in John 15:5 and Philippians 4:13.
Romans 13
Read Romans chapter 13
Review verses 1-7 in order to answer questions 1-9.
1. According to verses 1-2, how is the believer to relate to government authority?
2. There are many types of governments around the world where people have a range of involvement in selecting their leaders, from none to maximum. Who does Paul indicate is truly responsible for putting government leaders in authority?
3. According to verse 4, for what purpose does God place authority over us?
4. Who is to fear authority (see verses 3-4)?
5. According to verse 6, why are we admonished to pay our taxes?
6. According to verse 7, what are we to give to those in authority besides our taxes and fees due?
7. Do you think complying with what Paul says in verse 7 is difficult to do? Explain your answer.
8. What advice would you give a believer to help them obey this scripture?
9. Do you think adherence to this direction in verse 7 would distinguish the believer from the unbeliever today? Please explain your answer.
Review verses 8-10 in order to answer the next 2 questions.
10. What is the simple attribute that fulfills the requirement given in the law or commandments?
11. Paul mentions the commandments against adultery, murder, theft, and covetousness. How do you think loving your neighbor would keep you from these sins?
Review verses 11-14.
12. Paul says in verse 11 that time is running out. What is he referring to? See James 5:8.
13. If the day of salvation was expected soon at that time, how should we view it today?
14. What difference should it make in our lives if we live life expecting Jesus to return at any time?
15. According to verse 14, what are we to focus on?
16. What evidence is there in your life that you expect Jesus to return at any time?
Romans 14
Read Romans chapter 14
1. Paul addresses the believers in Rome who are apparently experiencing discord due to differences in the way they view appropriate Christian observances and practices. What are the examples Paul gives in verses 2 and 5?
2. How does Paul expand on this in Colossians 2:13-23?
3. Why would some Old Testament laws no longer be applicable to the Jewish believers (2:16-17)?
4. What is our freedom in Christ? See Colossians 2:20, Romans 6:1-11, Galatians 4:4-7.
5. Did you come from a religious tradition that had similar rules and practices that you no longer adhere to? Describe your experience of transition to freedom or the experience of others you know.
6. In Romans 14:4, Paul uses the analogy of a slave and master. Who are the slave and master he is referring to?
7. If the master is the one who determines the successful services of the slave, what role do those observing have?
8. How do you think this applies to us as believers? What is our focus to be on in relation to pleasing the master?
9. According to verses 6-8, what is to be the sole motive of everything the believer does or doesn’t do?
10. Describe any issues you can think of where believers today might disagree about what is right or wrong. (This does not address moral or sin issues, but those things where specific scripture is silent.)
11. In light of what Paul says in verse 12, what should our major focus be on?
12. According to verse 13, what are we to do, rather than judge or condemn the behavior of other believers?
13. According to verse 17, what is the focus of the Kingdom of God?
14. According to verse 19, what should our goal in the church be?
a. Scripture makes clear that this should not be at the expense of tolerating sin in the church. How does 2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 address this?
15. Give examples of how your convictions may have changed as you matured in Christ.
16. How can you show love and unity to a believer who has not reached the same level of maturity as you?
Romans, Chapter 15:1-13
Read chapter 15:1-13.
1. According to Romans 15:1-2, as we live our lives, what is our goal to be in regards to our neighbors (those in the Lord)?
2. Who is our example in this and what did He do, according to verse 3?
3. According to verses 5-6, how will this bring glory to God?
4. According to verse 7, what is the standard or example we have to live up to and what does it result in?
5. According to verse 8, why did Jesus become a servant to the Jews (servant of circumcision)?
6. According to verse 9, what is the desired response of the Gentiles to Christ’s coming?
7. What do the Old Testament verses, quoted in verses 9-12, communicate about God’s eternal plan?
8. How does the blessing in verse 13 encourage you? What does it mean to you?
Romans, Chapters 15:14-33 and 16
Read 15:14-33.
1. From 15:16, we see Paul (formerly Saul) was convinced that he had a special calling to take the gospel to the Gentiles. Explain why. Also see Acts 9:15.
2. As Paul shared the gospel from Jerusalem to Illyricum (consisting of most of the coastlands along the Adriatic Sea from modern day Albania to Croatia), who did he prefer to share it with according to 15:20-21?
3. Do you believe the church is still called to this type of ministry? Explain why or why not.
4. What was Paul’s plan from 15:23-25?
5. What was the gift Paul was taking to Jerusalem (verse 26)?
6. What motivated believers in Macedonia and Achaia to send this gift (verse 27)?
7. According to 15:30, how could the Roman believers be engaged in Paul’s ministry with him?
8. How does this apply to us today?
Read chapter 16.
9. After Paul sends multiple greetings to individuals, he warns the believers in Rome of people who cause divisions. How does he tell them to act towards these people in 16:17?
10. In 16:25-26, what does Paul say about the plan or mystery revealed in Jesus Christ?
11. Paul gives the details of this secret or mystery in Ephesians 1:9-14. Summarize this mysterious plan that God has revealed.
12. Paul ends Romans in praise to God. Write your own words of praise as you contemplate God’s plan and what it means to you.