Romans 1 Study Notes
1. Introduction and Greeting (Romans 1:1-7)
- Paul’s Identity:
- Paul introduces himself as a “servant of Christ Jesus” (Romans 1:1) and an apostle, emphasizing his role as someone sent with authority to proclaim the Gospel.
- He mentions that he is “set apart for the Gospel of God,” highlighting his divine calling.
- The Gospel’s Promise:
- The Gospel is not a new concept; it was “promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures” (Romans 1:2).
- The Gospel centers on Jesus Christ, who is “descended from David according to the flesh” and “declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead” (Romans 1:3-4).
- Purpose of the Apostleship:
- Paul states that his mission is to bring about the “obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations” (Romans 1:5).
- Addressing the Roman Christians:
- Paul writes to all in Rome who are “loved by God and called to be saints” (Romans 1:7), extending grace and peace from God.
2. Paul’s Desire to Visit Rome (Romans 1:8-15)
- Thanksgiving and Prayer:
- Paul thanks God for the Romans’ faith, which is “proclaimed in all the world” (Romans 1:8).
- He mentions that he prays for them constantly, expressing a deep desire to visit them to “impart some spiritual gift to strengthen you” (Romans 1:11).
- Mutual Encouragement:
- Paul seeks mutual encouragement, where both he and the Roman believers will be strengthened by each other’s faith (Romans 1:12).
- Paul’s Obligation:
- He feels an obligation to preach the Gospel to both Greeks and non-Greeks, the wise and the foolish, which underscores the universal nature of the Gospel (Romans 1:14).
3. The Power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16-17)
- Unashamed of the Gospel:
- Paul boldly declares, “I am not ashamed of the gospel” because it is “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).
- Revealing God’s Righteousness:
- The Gospel reveals “the righteousness of God” that comes by faith, and this righteousness is available “from faith for faith” (Romans 1:17).
- Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:4: “The righteous shall live by faith,” emphasizing that righteousness is obtained through faith, not by works.
4. God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity (Romans 1:18-32)
Revelation of God’s Wrath:
- God’s wrath is “revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth” (Romans 1:18).
- Paul explains that God’s wrath is just because people suppress the truth that is evident to them, as God has made His existence and divine nature clear through creation (Romans 1:19-20).
- Despite knowing God, people did not honor Him as God or give thanks; instead, they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened (Romans 1:21).
Idolatry and Immorality:
- Paul describes the downward spiral into idolatry, where people “exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things” (Romans 1:23).
- As a consequence, God “gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity” and degrading passions, leading to all kinds of immoral behavior, including sexual impurity (Romans 1:24-27).
Consequences of Rejection:
- Because they did not “see fit to acknowledge God,” God gave them over to a “debased mind” to do what ought not to be done (Romans 1:28).
- This debased mind results in a list of vices such as envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice (Romans 1:29-31).
- Although people know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve death, they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them (Romans 1:32).
Study Notes on Romans 1 (Easy to Understand)
Key Theme: God’s righteousness and human sinfulness.
Paul’s Introduction (Romans 1:1-7):
- Paul introduces himself as a servant of Jesus, called to be an apostle.
- He emphasizes that the gospel is about Jesus Christ, who is both human (descended from David) and divine (the Son of God).
- Supporting Scripture: “Through him, we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith” (Romans 1:5). This shows Paul’s mission to spread the gospel to everyone.
Paul’s Desire to Visit Rome (Romans 1:8-15):
- Paul expresses gratitude for the faith of the believers in Rome.
- He wants to visit them to encourage and strengthen their faith.
- Supporting Scripture: “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). Paul is confident in the gospel’s power for all people.
The Righteous Live by Faith (Romans 1:16-17):
- The gospel reveals God’s righteousness, and it’s by faith that people are made right with God.
- Supporting Scripture: “The righteous will live by faith” (Romans 1:17). Faith is the key to righteousness.
God’s Wrath Against Sin (Romans 1:18-32):
- God’s anger is revealed against people who reject Him and live in wickedness. Paul describes how humans turned away from God to idols, leading to sin.
- Supporting Scripture: “They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator” (Romans 1:25). This shows how humans abandoned God’s truth for falsehood.
Consequences of Sin (Romans 1:28-32):
- When people refuse to acknowledge God, their hearts become hardened. They fall deeper into sinful behaviors like envy, greed, and hatred.
- Supporting Scripture: “Although they know God’s righteous decree, those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1:32). Paul warns that sin leads to separation from God.
Flashcards on Romans 1
Flashcard 1:
Q: Who wrote the book of Romans?
A: Paul.
Flashcard 2:
Q: What is the gospel about?
A: The gospel is about Jesus Christ, both fully human and fully divine.
Flashcard 3:
Q: How do the righteous live?
A: The righteous live by faith (Romans 1:17).
Flashcard 4:
Q: What happens when people turn away from God?
A: They fall into sin and worship created things instead of the Creator (Romans 1:25).
Flashcard 5:
Q: What is the consequence of sin according to Romans 1?
A: Sin leads to separation from God and spiritual death (Romans 1:32).
Quiz Questions on Romans 1
Who is Paul, and what was his mission?
Hint: Romans 1:1-5What does Paul say about the gospel’s power?
Hint: Romans 1:16What does “the righteous will live by faith” mean?
Hint: Romans 1:17What did people do when they rejected God according to Romans 1?
Hint: Romans 1:25What is the outcome for those who continue in sin, according to Romans 1?
Hint: Romans 1:32
The Power of Identity
Reflection: One of the biggest struggles we face today is identity. The world has a thousand labels, but here’s the truth—your real identity is in the gospel. Paul starts by saying, “I’m not ashamed of the gospel.” Why? Because it’s the power of God. It’s what defines us. This isn’t just a random fact; it’s a game-changer. The gospel isn’t just an old message, it’s alive, and it’s relevant today.
Devotion: What’s that one thing you’re holding onto that’s keeping you from living fully as God’s creation? Maybe you’ve been labeled “not enough” or “too much.” But here’s the catch: you are exactly enough because God says so. You don’t need to be ashamed of who you are in Christ. It’s time to let go of those labels and grab onto the truth that the gospel is your power.
2. Faith Over Culture
Reflection: Paul also writes, “The righteous will live by faith.” In a world that says, “Do what makes you happy,” Paul’s telling us, “Live by faith.” That doesn’t mean we walk around blindly; it means we’re trusting in a truth that’s bigger than us. Everyone is living by something. Some are driven by likes, others by approval, but Paul is reminding us to be driven by faith. Faith is that deep confidence in who God is and His promises.
Devotion: When was the last time you trusted God when it was hard? Being real, living by faith is counter-culturaltoday. The world says, “Trust yourself.” But faith says, “Trust God, even when it doesn’t make sense.” Let’s make this personal: What’s an area in your life where you need to lean on faith more than your own understanding?
3. A Bold Stand in a Loud World
Reflection: In verse 20, Paul talks about how God’s truth is everywhere—in creation, in life, and in the world. But here’s the kicker: even though God’s truth is everywhere, not everyone sees it or wants it. The truth is loud, but sometimes people close their ears. And guess what? You’re called to stand out, not blend in. Living for Christ is not always going to be the popular choice, but it’s the right one.
Devotion: What does it look like to stand for God today? Maybe it’s as simple as speaking truth when everyone’s quiet, or maybe it’s refusing to compromise who you are in Jesus. Boldness doesn’t mean being the loudest voice in the room; sometimes, it’s having the quiet strength to live differently.
What’s Romans 1 All About?
Romans 1 is like the intro to this big letter from Paul to the people in Rome. Think of it as Paul getting everyone on the same page. He’s basically setting up the truth about God, humanity, and the gospel (aka the good news of Jesus). He starts with why the gospel is so important and how it’s the answer to the problem of the world being messed up.
1. Why We Need the Gospel
So first off, Paul says in verse 16, “I’m not ashamed of the gospel because it’s the power of God.” That’s big because Paul is saying the gospel has power to save us. It’s not just a story we hear at church; it’s like the ultimate power-up for your life. And who is it for? Everyone who believes—no matter your background, your past, or where you’re from.
In simpler terms: Paul is saying, “Yo, I’m proud of this gospel because it has the power to change lives.” It’s not about being good enough; it’s about believing in what Jesus did.
2. God’s Truth is Everywhere
Next, Paul talks about how God’s truth is everywhere—even in nature (v. 20). He says that from the beginning of time, people could see God through what He’s made, like the world around us. So nobody really has an excuse for not believing in Him. But the problem is, a lot of people choose to ignore that truth.
Think of it like this: You know when you’re playing a video game, and the clues are all over the place, but some players just don’t pay attention? God’s clues are in nature, in life, but not everyone is looking for them. People are distracted by other things.
3. The Problem: We’ve Gone Our Own Way
Here’s where it gets real. Paul says that even though God’s truth is out there, people have decided to go their own way, living for themselves instead of living for God. He’s talking about how we’ve all messed up by chasing after what we want instead of what God wants for us (v. 21-25).
Let me make this clear: It’s like when you know the right thing to do, but you choose to do the opposite because it feels good in the moment. Paul’s saying people have chosen to ignore God’s way and follow their own desires. That’s where the world starts getting messy.
4. Why It Matters
Paul’s whole point in Romans 1 is to show that we need God. We can’t fix the mess we’ve made by ourselves. That’s why the gospel is so powerful—it’s God stepping in to save us when we couldn’t save ourselves. He’s showing us what happens when we reject God’s truth, but also reminding us that God’s grace is available through Jesus.
Bottom Line
Romans 1 is all about two things:
- God’s truth is real and clear—it’s all around us, and His power to save us is in the gospel.
- Without the gospel, we’re lost—the world is broken because people have turned away from God. But the good news is that Jesus came to make things right.
So, if you’re feeling confused about Romans 1, just remember this: It’s the start of Paul showing us why the gospel is so necessary. We need Jesus because without Him, the world—and us—are off-track. But with Him, we’ve got hope, purpose, and the power to live the way God intended.
If you’ve got more questions, drop them in the comments! Let’s keep this convo going because I want all of you to get this—it’s life-changing.
1. Romans 1:16
“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.”
Comparison Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Explanation: Both of these verses talk about how salvation is not something we can earn. Romans 1:16 is all about how the gospel has power to save everyone who believes. Ephesians 2 backs that up by saying salvation is a gift from God—it’s not about how good we are but about God’s grace.
2. Romans 1:17
“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.’”
Comparison Scripture: Hebrews 11:6
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Explanation: Romans 1:17 talks about living by faith, and Hebrews 11:6 shows that faith is the foundation of our relationship with God. We can’t please God without faith, and the righteousness Paul is talking about is tied directly to our faith in Him. These scriptures show that faith is the key to being right with God.
3. Romans 1:20
“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Comparison Scripture: Psalm 19:1
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Explanation: Romans 1:20 and Psalm 19:1 are basically saying the same thing—God’s existence and power are obvious in creation. The world around us is like God’s billboard; everything from the stars to the mountains screams that God is real. These verses show that nature itself points to God, leaving no excuse for ignoring Him.
4. Romans 1:21
“For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”
Comparison Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:2-4
“People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.”
Explanation: Romans 1:21 talks about people who knew God but chose not to honor Him. 2 Timothy 3:2-4 describes the type of people Paul is talking about—those who are wrapped up in themselves and have no room for God in their hearts. Both verses show how ignoring God leads to a dark and twisted way of thinking.
5. Romans 1:25
“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen.”
Comparison Scripture: Exodus 20:3
“You shall have no other gods before me.”
Explanation: In Romans 1:25, Paul talks about people who swapped God’s truth for lies and started worshiping things instead of the Creator. This connects to Exodus 20:3, where God gives the command not to have other gods before Him. Both verses warn against letting anything take God’s place in our lives—whether it’s idols, money, or anything else we chase after.
6. Romans 1:28
“Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done.”
Comparison Scripture: Galatians 6:7-8
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”
Explanation: Romans 1:28 talks about how people who reject God eventually end up with a messed-up mindset. Galatians 6:7-8 backs this up by saying that when you choose to live for the flesh (your selfish desires), it leads to destruction. Both verses warn us that turning away from God has serious consequences.
Closing Thoughts
Romans 1 might seem complicated at first, but when you look at these comparison scriptures, it’s clear: God’s truth is real, we need faith to be right with Him, and when we ignore Him, it leads to chaos. But the good news is that the gospel has the power to save anyone who believes.
Romans 1 Study Notes (Expanded)
1. Introduction and Greeting (Romans 1:1-7)
Paul’s Identity:
- Romans 1:1: “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.”
- Paul’s humility and divine calling as a servant and apostle.
- Comparison Scriptures:
- Galatians 1:15-16: “But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles…”
- Acts 9:15: “But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.'”
- These scriptures together highlight Paul’s divine selection and mission to spread the gospel.
The Gospel’s Promise:
- Romans 1:2: “The gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures.”
- The fulfillment of God’s promises through the Gospel.
- Comparison Scriptures:
- Isaiah 53:5: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
- Genesis 3:15: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
- These verses show the continuity of God’s promise from the fall of man through the prophets and fulfilled in Christ.
2. Paul’s Desire to Visit Rome (Romans 1:8-15)
- Mutual Encouragement:
- Romans 1:11-12: “I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.”
- Paul’s intention to build each other up in faith.
- Comparison Scriptures:
- Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together… but encouraging one another…”
- 1 Corinthians 12:7: “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”
- These passages underscore the importance of mutual encouragement and the sharing of spiritual gifts within the body of Christ.
3. The Power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16-17)
Not Ashamed of the Gospel:
- Romans 1:16: “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.”
- The power of the Gospel to save all who believe.
- Comparison Scriptures:
- 1 Corinthians 1:18: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
- 2 Timothy 1:8: “So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.”
- These scriptures emphasize the transformative power of the Gospel and the call to not be ashamed of it.
Righteousness Revealed by Faith:
- Romans 1:17: “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.'”
- Righteousness is through faith.
- Comparison Scriptures:
- Habakkuk 2:4: “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.”
- Philippians 3:9: “…not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”
- These scriptures illustrate that righteousness has always been by faith, both in the Old Testament and the New Testament.
4. God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity (Romans 1:18-32)
God’s Wrath Revealed:
- Romans 1:18: “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness.”
- God’s righteous anger against those who suppress the truth.
- Comparison Scriptures:
- Ephesians 5:6: “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.”
- John 3:36: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.”
- These verses reinforce the concept of God’s wrath against unbelief and disobedience.
Idolatry and Moral Decline:
- Romans 1:23-24: “They exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts…”
- The consequence of idolatry leading to moral corruption.
- Comparison Scriptures:
- Exodus 32:7-8: “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf.'”
- Psalm 106:20: “They exchanged their glorious God for an image of a bull, which eats grass.”
- These scriptures show how idolatry has always led to moral decline, both in ancient Israel and as Paul describes in Romans.
Expanded Study Notes for Romans 1
1. Paul’s Identity (Romans 1:1)
- Romans 1:1: “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God.”
- Comparison Scriptures:
- Galatians 1:15-16: “But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles…”
- Acts 9:15: “But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.'”
- 1 Corinthians 9:16: “For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”
- 2 Timothy 1:11: “And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher.”
- Ephesians 3:7-8: “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ.”
- Romans 15:15-16: “Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.”
- These scriptures collectively highlight Paul’s unique calling and the grace given to him by God to spread the gospel to the Gentiles.
- Comparison Scriptures:
2. The Gospel’s Promise (Romans 1:2)
- Romans 1:2: “The gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures.”
- Comparison Scriptures:
- Isaiah 53:5: “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.”
- Genesis 3:15: “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”
- Jeremiah 31:31: “The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.”
- Luke 24:27: “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”
- Micah 5:2: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”
- Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
- Psalm 22:16: “Dogs surround me, a pack of villains encircles me; they pierce my hands and my feet.”
- These scriptures demonstrate that the gospel’s promise was consistently foretold by the prophets and fulfilled in Jesus.
- Comparison Scriptures:
3. The Power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16-17)
- Romans 1:16: “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.”
- Comparison Scriptures:
- 1 Corinthians 1:18: “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
- 2 Timothy 1:8: “So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.”
- Mark 8:38: “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
- Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”
- Titus 3:5: “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.”
- John 1:12: “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
- Hebrews 2:3: “How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.”
- Philippians 3:9: “And be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.”
- These scriptures reinforce the gospel’s power to bring salvation and the importance of faith in Jesus Christ
- Comparison Scriptures:
Romans 1
1. Introduction and Paul’s Mission (Romans 1:1-7)
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. (Romans 1:1-7)
God’s Message:
- Paul begins by affirming his mission to preach the Gospel, which fulfills Old Testament promises and reveals Jesus Christ as the Son of God. This Gospel brings grace and peace to all who believe.
Supporting Scripture:
- 2 Timothy 1:10: “but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.”
Jesus Christ’s Role:
- Jesus Christ, through His resurrection, confirms His divine authority and fulfills the promises of the Gospel.
Spiritual Reflection:
- Consider how Jesus’ resurrection impacts your faith. How does understanding this truth deepen your relationship with God?
2. The Power of the Gospel (Romans 1:16-17)
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. 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.” (Romans 1:16-17)
God’s Message:
- The Gospel is God’s power for salvation and reveals His righteousness. It is accessible to all through faith.
Supporting Scripture:
- Habakkuk 2:4: “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright—but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.”
Jesus Christ’s Role:
- Jesus is the embodiment of the righteousness revealed in the Gospel, offering salvation to all who believe.
Spiritual Reflection:
- Reflect on the power of the Gospel in your life. How does your faith in Jesus Christ guide your daily living and relationship with God?
3. The Consequences of Rejecting God (Romans 1:18-25)
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles. (Romans 1:18-23)
God’s Message:
- God’s wrath is revealed against those who reject Him and worship created things instead of the Creator. His divine nature is evident in creation, leaving humanity without excuse.
Supporting Scripture:
- Psalm 19:1: “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Jesus Christ’s Role:
- Jesus provides the ultimate revelation of God, offering a true understanding of the Creator and salvation from the consequences of idolatry.
Spiritual Reflection:
- How does the evidence of God in creation affect your view of worship and idolatry? How can Jesus help you align your worship with the true God?
4. The Downward Spiral of Sin (Romans 1:26-32)
Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way, the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, they are slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. (Romans 1:26-32)
God’s Message:
- Rejecting God leads to a deepening moral decay and various forms of sin. God’s judgment follows those who persist in unrighteousness.
Supporting Scripture:
- Galatians 5:19-21: “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.”
Jesus Christ’s Role:
- Jesus offers redemption and transformation, countering the spiral of sin with His grace and truth.
Spiritual Reflection:
- Reflect on the impact of sin in your life and society. How does Jesus provide a way out of this moral decay?
Romans Bible Study Curriculum
Introduction
Objective: Introduce students to the Book of Romans and its key messages in a way that’s accessible for beginners.
Week 1: Introduction to Romans
•Scripture Reading: Romans 1:1-7
•Overview: Introduce Paul, the author, and his purpose for writing the letter.
•Discussion Questions:
1.Who is Paul, and why is he writing this letter?
2.What is the main message Paul wants to share with the people in Rome?
•Activity: Create a simple map showing where Paul was and where Rome is. Discuss why Paul might have wanted to write to the people in Rome.
Week 2: The Power of the Gospel
•Scripture Reading: Romans 1:16-17
•Overview: Explain the concept of the Gospel and its power.
•Discussion Questions:
1.What is the Gospel?
2.Why does Paul say it is powerful?
•Activity: Write a short paragraph on what you think the Gospel means and share with the group.
Week 3: Understanding Sin
•Scripture Reading: Romans 3:23-24
•Overview: Discuss the concept of sin and how everyone has fallen short.
•Discussion Questions:
1.What does it mean to fall short of God’s glory?
2.How does Paul say we can be justified?
•Activity: Create a chart with “Sin” and “Justification” and list examples of each from everyday life.
Week 4: Justification by Faith
•Scripture Reading: Romans 4:1-5
•Overview: Discuss Abraham’s faith and its role in justification.
•Discussion Questions:
1.How was Abraham justified?
2.What does it mean to be justified by faith?
•Activity: Draw a picture of Abraham and write a few sentences about his faith and how it applies to us.
Week 5: Life in the Spirit
•Scripture Reading: Romans 8:1-11
•Overview: Introduce the role of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life.
•Discussion Questions:
1.What does it mean to live according to the Spirit?
2.How does the Spirit help us?
•Activity: Write or draw what living in the Spirit might look like in your daily life.
Week 6: God’s Love and Assurance
•Scripture Reading: Romans 8:31-39
•Overview: Explore how nothing can separate us from God’s love.
•Discussion Questions:
1.What are some things Paul says cannot separate us from God’s love?
2.How does knowing God loves us unconditionally affect us?
•Activity: Share a personal story of when you felt loved and secure, then discuss how God’s love is even greater.
Week 7: Living as a Christian
•Scripture Reading: Romans 12:1-2
•Overview: Discuss how to live a life that reflects Christian values.
•Discussion Questions:
1.What does Paul say about how we should live?
2.What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of your mind?
•Activity: Create a “Christian Living Plan” with practical steps for living out your faith.
Week 8: Loving Others
•Scripture Reading: Romans 13:8-10
•Overview: Highlight the importance of love in Christian life.
•Discussion Questions:
1.How does Paul describe love in relation to the law?
2.Why is love important in our interactions with others?
•Activity: Write a letter or create a card expressing love and appreciation to someone in your life.
Week 9: Unity in Diversity
•Scripture Reading: Romans 14:1-12
•Overview: Discuss how to accept and love others with different opinions and practices.
•Discussion Questions:
1.How should we deal with differences in beliefs or practices among Christians?
2.Why is it important to accept and not judge others?
•Activity: Role-play different scenarios where you can practice accepting others with differing views.
Week 10: Living Out Our Faith
•Scripture Reading: Romans 15:1-7
•Overview: Encourage practical ways to live out the teachings of Romans in everyday life.
•Discussion Questions:
1.What are some practical ways to live out the teachings of Romans?
2.How can we support and encourage each other in our faith?
•Activity: Plan a group service project or outreach event to put your faith into action.
Correspondence and Resources:
•Provide students with a simple, accessible study guide summarizing each week’s key points.
•Offer additional resources like a beginner’s Bible commentary or online videos for further learning.
