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Teaching Series Fall 2018

THE LETTER TO THE ROMANS

DIANELLA CHURCH OF THE NAZARENEA community that shares God’s love revealed in Jesus Christ, bringing hope and a future to the

people of all nations

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Who are we?People are all about loving relationships. God wired us this way, because we were made to connect with each other. Together we are on a journey to discover what it means to be a loving community that lives in a foretaste of His Kingdom.

We’d like to welcome you to experience God’s love and connect with others in our family. It is messy sometimes. Still, walking together and connecting to God is what makes us truly human.

OUR VISION STATEMENT

To be a community thatShares God’s Love,

Revealed in Jesus Christ,Bringing hope and a future,

To people of all nations.

WHAT WE VALUE

Family

Fellowship

Mission

Worship

Discipleship

Contact Us

Phone:+61 (04) 24977295Email: mailto:dianellanazarene@gmail.com

Web: www.dianellanazarene.comTwitter/Facebook/YouTube/Podcast: Dianella Nazarene

Worship Service: Sundays, 10 am Free English Class Sundays, 1 pm

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Overview Teaching Series

Teaching Topic Passage Date SpeakerTeaching 1 The Simplicity of the

GospelRomans 1:1-17 8/4/2018 Ps. Patrick

Teaching 2 Guilty as charged! Romans 1:18-2 15/4/2018 Ps. PatrickTeaching 3 Right apart from Works Romans 3 22/4/2018 JanineTeaching 4 Just believe Romans 4 29/4/2018 Ps. PatrickTeaching 5 Peace is all you need… Romans 5 6/5/2018 Ps. PatrickBreak Mother’s Day 13/5/2018 Ps. PatrickTeaching 6 Are you dead yet? Romans 6 20/5/2018 Ps. PatrickBreak 27/5/2018 Guest speakerBreak Family Camp 3/6/2018 DS Roland

HearnTeaching 7 Marry Mr. Grace Romans 7 10/6/2018 Ps. PatrickTeaching 8 A New Deal Romans 8 17/6/2018 JanineTeaching 9 Let’s do this together Romans 12-16 24/6/2018 Ps. PatrickExtra And what about us? 9-11 Optional

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B A C K G R O U N D I N F O R M A T I O N T O E P I S T L E T O T H E R O M A N S

A U T H O R

The writer of this letter was the apostle Paul. No voice from the early church was ever raised against his authorship. The letter contains a number of historical references that agree with known facts of Paul’s life. The doctrinal content of the book is typical of Paul, which is evident from a comparison with other letters he wrote.

D A T E A N D P L A C E O F W R I T I N G

The book was probably written in the early spring of a.d. 57. Very likely Paul was on his third missionary journey, ready to return to Jerusalem with the offering from the mission churches for poverty-stricken believers in Jerusalem (see Acts 15:25–27). In 15:26 it is suggested that Paul had already received contributions from the churches of Macedonia and Achaia, so he either was at Corinth or had already been there. Since he had not yet been at Corinth (on his third missionary journey) when he wrote 1 Corinthians (cf. 1Co 16:1–4) and the collection issue had still not been resolved when he wrote 2 Corinthians (2Co 8–9), the writing of Romans must follow that of 1,2 Corinthians (dated c. 55).

The most likely place of writing is either Corinth or Cenchrea (about six miles away) because of references to Phoebe of Cenchrea (see 16:1) and to Gaius, Paul’s host (see 16:23), who was probably a Corinthian (see 1Co 1:14). Erastus (see 16:23) may also have been a Corinthian (see 2Ti 4:20).

R E C I P I E N T S

The original recipients of the letter were the people of the church at Rome (1:7), who were predominantly Gentile. Jews, however, must have constituted a substantial minority of the congregation (see 4:1;  9–11). Perhaps Paul originally sent the entire letter to the Roman church, after which he or someone else used a shorter form (chs. 1–14 or 1–15) for more general distribution.

M A J O R T H E M E

Paul’s primary theme in Romans is the basic gospel, God’s plan of salvation and righteousness for all humankind, Jew and Gentile alike (see 1:16–17). Although justification by faith has been suggested by some as the theme, it would seem that a broader theme states the message of the book more adequately. “Righteousness from God” (1:17) includes justification by faith, but it also embraces such related ideas as guilt, sanctification and security.

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P U R P O S E

Paul’s purposes for writing this letter were varied:

1. He wrote to prepare the way for his coming visit to Rome and his proposed mission to Spain (1:10–15; 15:22–29).

2. He wrote to present the basic system of salvation to a church that had not received the teaching of an apostle before.

3. He sought to explain the relationship between Jew and Gentile in God’s overall plan of redemption. The Jewish Christians were being rejected by the larger Gentile group in the church (see 14:1) because the Jewish believers still felt constrained to observe dietary laws and sacred days (14:2–6).

O C C A S I O N

When Paul wrote this letter, he was probably at Corinth (see Ac 20:2–3) on his third missionary journey. His work in the eastern Mediterranean was almost finished (see 15:18–23), and he greatly desired to visit the Roman church (see 1:11–12; 15:23–24). At this time, however, he could not go to Rome because he felt he must personally deliver the collection taken among the Gentile churches for the poverty-stricken Christians of Jerusalem (see 15:25–28). So instead of going to Rome, he sent a letter to prepare the Christians there for his intended visit in connection with a mission to Spain (see 15:23–24). For many years Paul had wanted to visit Rome to minister there (see 1:13–15), and this letter served as a careful and systematic theological introduction to that hoped-for personal ministry. Since he was not acquainted directly with the Roman church, he says little about its problems (but see 14:1—15:13; cf. also 13:1–7; 16:17–18).

C O N T E N T

Paul begins by surveying the spiritual condition of all people. He finds Jews and Gentiles alike to be sinners and in need of salvation. That salvation has been provided by God through Jesus Christ and his redemptive work on the cross. It is a provision, however, that must be received by faith—a principle by which God has always dealt with humankind, as the example of Abraham shows. Since salvation is only the beginning of Christian experience, Paul moves on to show how believers are freed from sin, law and death—a provision made possible by their union with Christ in both death and resurrection and by the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit. Paul then shows that Israel too, though presently in a state of unbelief, has a place in God’s sovereign redemptive plan. Now she consists of only a remnant, allowing for the conversion of the Gentiles, but the time will come when “all Israel will be saved” (11:26). The letter concludes with an appeal to the readers to work out their Christian faith in practical ways, both in the church and in the world. None of Paul’s other letters states so profoundly the content of the gospel and its implications for both the present and the future.

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S P E C I A L C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S

1. The most systematic of Paul’s letters. It reads more like an elaborate theological essay than a letter.

2. Emphasis on Christian doctrine. The number and importance of the theological themes touched upon are impressive: sin and death, salvation, grace, faith, righteousness, justification, sanctification, redemption, resurrection and glorification.

3. Widespread use of OT quotations. Although Paul regularly quotes from the OT in his letters, in Romans the argument is sometimes carried along by such quotations (see especially chs. 9–11).

4. Deep concern for Israel. Paul writes about her present status, her relationship to the Gentiles and her final salvation.

OUTLINE

Introduction (1:1–15) Theme: Righteousness from God (1:16–17) The Unrighteousness of All People (1:18—3:20)

o Gentiles (1:18–32)o Jews (2:1—3:8)o Summary: All People (3:9–20)

Righteousness Imputed: Justification (3:21—5:21)o Through Christ (3:21–26)o Received by Faith (3:27—4:25)

The principle established (3:27–31) The principle illustrated (ch. 4)

o The Fruits of Righteousness (5:1–11)o Summary: Humanity’s Unrighteousness vs God’s Gift of Righteousness (5:12–21)

Righteousness Imparted: Sanctification (chs. 6–8)o Freedom from Sin’s Tyranny (ch. 6)o Freedom from the Law’s Condemnation (ch. 7)o Life in the Power of the Holy Spirit (ch. 8)

God’s Righteousness Vindicated: The Justice of His Way with Israel (chs. 9–11)o The Justice of God’s Rejection of Israel (9:1–29)o The Cause of That Rejection (9:30—10:21)o The Rejection Is Neither Complete nor Final (ch. 11)

There is even now a remnant (11:1–10) The rejection is only temporary (11:11–24) God’s ultimate purpose is mercy (11:25–36)

Righteousness Practiced (12:1—15:13)o In the Body—the Church (ch. 12)o In the World (ch. 13)o Among Weak and Strong Christians (14:1—15:13)

Conclusion (15:14–33) Commendation, Greetings and Doxology (ch. 16)

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Source: https://www.biblica.com/resources/scholar-notes/niv-study-bible/intro-to-romans/

From your pastorFor this Fall semester I have chosen to study together a beautiful book together. The letter to the Romans written by the apostle Paul. Last year we explored the gospel of John, which many of you found a meaningful experience. This year we would like to dig into the very foundation of our faith. Many big life questions are addressed in Romans like:

1. Who am I? What is the purpose of life?2. Why did Jesus come to earth? Why did He have to die?3. Why is there so much evil in the world?4. What will happen with people who don’t believe in God? Is there a final judgement?5. Why can’t we just be good people?6. What was God’s original plan for humanity?7. Why do I need to get baptized? How can I get victory over sin?8. How does God want me to live? What is God’s will for my life?9. Where is God when it hurts?10. What does the future hold for me?11. Me serving in church? Serving others on my job?

And this is just a handful of questions. As you can see, Romans is very, very foundational. That doesn’t mean it is an easy book to understand. It does require some effort on our part. I’d like to give you a few guidelines to follow for this teaching series that will help you understand this letter much better.

1. Context is King

The letter to the Romans was a specific letter to a specific church. Letters in those times did not have chapters and verses. This was added centuries later to facilitate the reading process. It became easier to look up specific passages. Yet, unintentionally it also created problems. When we read for example Romans 7 on Tuesday, it very well may lead us to conclude one thing. Then, when we read Romans 8, we may come to another conclusion. Letters form a stream of thought. That’s why reading in context is so important. I encourage every student of the bible to read Romans in one sitting. For those of you who like to listen, there are many tools readily available to listen to the bible as well. What is most important is that you under-stand the bigger picture before you get caught up in specific chapters, paragraphs and words.

2. Be patient yet perseverant

Reading Romans may seem like a stroll through the forest. You can’t see through the trees because so much is coming at you. I encourage you to find a reading buddy. Discuss it at home, write down questions, find a good dictionary, ask your pastor or trusted leader if there are still doubts.

Many blessings,

Ps. Patrick van der Plaat

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Week 1 – The Simplicity of the Gospel?Key words/terms to understand:

Gospel: ____________________________________

Righteousness: ______________________________

___________________________________________

Grace:_____________________________________

Mercy:____________________________________

Verse to study:

Romans 1:16-17

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, the just shall live by faith.”

Personal Application: ________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

Read Romans 1:1-17

Watch ‘The Bible Project’ video Romans 1-4

Romans 1-4 video (YouTube channel The Bible Project)

Point 1:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Point 2:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Point 3:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

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Romans 1 Devotional Reading Week 1 – An uneven exchange

Everything we do revolves around an exchange. We exchange time for money. We exchange

money for goods. We exchange goods for services rendered. At the end of Romans 1, Paul

writes about another exchange we sometimes make. “They exchanged the truth about God for

a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is forever

praised” (Romans 1:25). Paul saw people all around him worshipping their possessions or

obsessions, instead of God who gave them those things in the first place.

It’s hard to believe we would exchange the joy of knowing the Creator of the Universe to

worship someone or something He created. But we do. We chase the high of having the latest

gadgets, the satisfaction of landing the big deal, or the admiration of other parents, instead of

finding our identity in knowing God and being His child.

Proverbs 4:23 warns us to guard our hearts, because the heart is where worship starts. We are

born with a yearning in our souls. It’s the part of us that wonders why we’re here, what the

point of life is, and whether we’re doing it right. We can try to fulfil that yearning by being

the best at work, the perfect parent, or the guy with the latest upgrades, but we’ll never gain

enough accolades or money to make our lives meaningful. Trading the Creator for His

creation is never an even exchange.

Jesus left His throne in heaven to sit on the throne of our hearts. Don’t buy the lie that

anything less than Him is worthy of our worship.

For reflection:

Want to know what you worship? Think about the following:

What do you spend most of your time doing and thinking about? Where do you spend your money? How are you using your talent? How do you introduce yourself to others?

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Have you allowed something or someone to replace Jesus on the throne of your heart? If so, what’s one change you can make this week to get your priorities back in order?

Week 2 – Guilty as charged!Key words/terms to understand:

Judgment: ___________________________________

Unrighteousness: ______________________________________

______________________________________

Wrath: ______________________________________

______________________________________

Verse to study:

Romans 2:12-14

“For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves,“

Personal Application: ________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

Read Romans 1:18-2:29

Point 1:

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Point 2:

_____________________________

_____________________________

_____________________________

Point 3:

_____________________________

_____________________________

____________________________

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Devotional Reading Week 2 – A Royal Wedding

Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee was a huge celebration of her 60 years on the throne.

In 2012, London held a four-day extravaganza in her honour. People filled the streets,

screaming with excitement and waving flags.

All the celebration over a queen was like a foreshadowing of what will happen when Jesus

returns. Psalm 10:16 says Jesus is king forever, and the Bible tells us He is coming again.

Can you imagine the celebrating that will take place in Heaven when this happens?

Jesus is the author and provider of salvation. Paul — the author of Romans — had a deep

passion for all people to know Jesus’ power. Paul uses the term salvation, which means

deliverance, or rescue from the power of sin. In Romans 2:4, we see the word repentance,

which means to change your mind. It is through repentance that we change our minds, turn

from sin and follow Jesus.

God invites us to put our failures behind us and receive a fresh start with Him. Is there an

area of sin you need to turn away from? Ask Jesus to forgive your sins and He will. That is

why He died on the cross for you. As we bow to Jesus in repentance and confession, we find

forgiveness and can celebrate His return.

For Reflection:

What's one area of your life where Jesus changed your mind, and as a result, your behavior? How is your life different as a result?

Is there an area of sin you need to turn away from?

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Week 3 – Right apart from worksKey words/terms to understand:

Justice of God: ____________________________________

Faithfulness of God: ______________________________________

______________________________________

Law: ______________________________________

_______________________________________

Verse to study:

Romans 3:21-24

“'But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, '

Personal Application: ________________________________________

Read Romans 3

Point 1:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Point 2:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Point 3:

___________________________

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Devotional Reading Week 3 – Is one sin worse than another?The most nerve wracking time for any elementary school kid is when it’s time to pick teams

for dodgeball or football. Captains size up their options for the best players, and everyone

prays not to be the last one picked.

Thankfully, God is not like us. God sees us all the same. He doesn’t evaluate our actions to

see who He wants on His team. God loves and wants a relationship with each one of us. What

puts us on His team is not our skill or abilities, but whether we’ve asked Jesus into our lives.

In Romans 3:23, the apostle Paul reminds us that, “all have sinned and fall short of the glory

of God.” We were all born sinful. No matter how good we think we are, we’ve all done

things that are less than perfect in God’s eyes. And that sin — no matter what it is —

separates us from God.

It doesn’t matter how many to-do lists we check off or how hard we strive to be perfect, “a

person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law” (Romans 3:28). We cannot

restore our relationship with God ourselves.

We are all on an equal playing field when it comes to our need for a saviour, and it cost God

equally to have a relationship with us. Whether we grew up in church or far from God, His

Son, Jesus, still had to die to pay the penalty for our sin.

Acknowledging our sinfulness allows us to grasp the depth of God’s grace. We didn’t

deserve a relationship with God, but He still put us on His team.

For Reflection:

Do you ever struggle with the idea of feeling good enough for God?

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How does understanding God’s grace free you from the need to strive or the fear of being unwanted?

What’s one thing learned today that changes the way you see God?

Week 4 – Just Believe!Key words/terms to understand:

Justification by faith: ______________________________________

______________________________________

Promise of God: ______________________________________

______________________________________

Believe:

______________________________________

______________________________________

Verse to study:

Romans 4:5

“But to him who does not work but believe on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness.”

Personal Application: ________________________________________

________________________________________

Read Romans 4

Point 1:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Point 2:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Point 3:

___________________________

___________________________

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Devotional Reading Week 4 – Is all hope lost?

It’s the bottom of the ninth inning (baseball) and your favourite team is losing by 2 points,

and they’re down to their last strike. Are you still confident they’re going to win or do you

start to lose hope? Most of us can remember a time when our faith in someone or something

wavered because the odds were against them.

Time and again, it seemed that the odds were against Abraham. Abraham was 99 years old

and married to a barren woman, but God promised Abraham he would be the father of

nations. God gave him a son a year later. Then, God asked him to sacrifice that son.  

Abraham set out to obey, and God sent a ram to sacrifice instead. Abraham could have

looked at his circumstances more than once and lost hope, wondering if God would keep His

promise. But Romans 4:20-21 says, “he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise

of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that

God had power to do what He had promised.”

Abraham’s faith wasn’t diminished because of his circumstances. The exact opposite was

true. His faith got stronger! He completely trusted God to fulfill the promises He made. What

a challenge for us when the odds are against us. Today, if you feel like you’re on the losing

end in the bottom of the ninth, don’t lose hope! Trust God to keep His promises.

For Reflection:

How do tough circumstances affect your faith? Do you start to doubt or do you stand strong in the Lord?

Is anything causing you to doubt God’s promises now?

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What’s one way the difficulties you face today could strengthen your faith instead of diminishing it?

Week 5 – Peace is all you needKey words/terms to understand:

Peace: ____________________________________

Reconciliation/Propitiation: ______________________________________

______________________________________

Tribulation:

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

Verse to study:

Romans 5:8

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Personal Application: ________________________________________

________________________________________

Read Romans 5

Watch ‘The Bible Project’ video Romans 5-16

Video Romans 5-16 (YouTube channel The Bible Project)

Point 1:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Point 2:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Point 3:

___________________________

___________________________

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Devotional Reading Week 5 – What Love looks like

Love. It’s a complicated thing. Every generation tries to understand love, fall in love, and

explain love. People have gone to extremes to display their love for others, and thousands of

years ago God did just that for each of us.

In Romans 5:8, Paul tells us God demonstrated His love for us this way: “While we were still

sinners, Christ died for us.” Out of God’s great love for us He sent His only Son to pay the

debt for our sins, even though we were His enemies, powerless and ungodly. God’s display of

love was not conditional. It was not based on anything we had done or could ever do for Him.

God knew that without His intervention we would be forever separated from Him.

Jesus’ obedience displayed grace in an amazing way. Jesus poured out His life for the

forgiveness of our sins so we could be reconciled with God. Each of us, through faith, can

have the opportunity to enter into a relationship with Jesus and experience peace with God,

hope in every situation, and eternal life.

Having a relationship with Jesus doesn’t mean life is always easy. Rather, it provides us with

the ability to face anything that comes our way. We can have hope in all situations, confident

of God’s grace, His faithfulness, and His willingness to do whatever it takes to restore our

relationship with Him. 

For Reflection:

Have you ever asked Jesus into your life? If so, take some time to thank God for His grace. If not, learn more about salvation here. 

How can you show grace to someone today?

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Do you have hope that God can get you through any situation? Why or why not?

Week 6 – Are you dead yet?Key words/terms to understand:

Baptized into Christ: ____________________________________

____________________________________

Freedom in Christ: ______________________________________

______________________________________

Submission/surrender:

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

Verse to study:

Romans 6:4

“Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

Personal Application: ________________________________________

________________________________________

Read Romans 6

Point 1:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Point 2:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Point 3:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

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Devotional Reading Week 6 – Revolving doors

Most of us have entered a revolving door at some point. Children think circular doors are a

thrill ride and often want to remain there going round and round, over and over. However,

doing so can cause unpleasant results, such as getting dizzy, losing your balance, or worse.

Often, a kid’s attitude toward a revolving door is our attitude toward sin. It’s fun while it

lasts; but the results are never pleasant. And even though we remember the consequences of

our decision, we return to a place of temptation over and over again thinking this time will be

different. 

At times, recurrent sin seems impossible to overcome. We find ourselves in a continuous

circle of repentance, grace and forgiveness—and eventual return to sin. Repeating what might

be enjoyable in the moment ultimately causes anxiety, shame, and regret.

When we repent, Jesus showers us with grace and forgiveness. But this isn’t a return ticket to

a thrill ride. If we truly want to experience life change, we have to stop re-entering the

revolving door of sin.

When we ask Jesus into our lives, we are made new. We have the ability to be different, to

change, to overcome. Romans 6:6-12 says, “For we know that our old self was crucified with

Him [Jesus] so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with…. Therefore do not let

sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.” With Jesus’s help, we can exit

sin’s revolving door forever as we learn to follow His lead. 

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For Reflection:

Are you struggling right now with a recurring sin? Fighting temptation is a daily process. Talk to Jesus about your desire to change and ask for His help.

What’s one step you can take this week to break the cycle you’re in? Is there someone in your life who could hold you accountable to making the changes

you know need to be made?

Week 7 – Marry Mr. GraceKey words/terms to understand:

Dominion: ____________________________________

____________________________________

Flesh: ______________________________________

______________________________________

Struggle:

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

Verse to study:

Romans 7:4

“Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God.”

Personal Application: ________________________________________

________________________________________

Read Romans 7

Point 1:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Point 2:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Point 3:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

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Devotional Reading for week 7 – Acts of Kindness

In December 2014, a Pennsylvania man paid off $50,000 of electronics and toys that had

been put on layaway for Christmas. News outlets captured videos of families crying out in

joy, when they discovered their bill had been covered by what reporters called “layaway

angels.”

These random acts of generosity and kindness — with no expectation of anything in return —

are a good example of the kind of behaviour Christians should be known for. Romans 7:4-

6 says, “So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that

you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might

bear fruit for God.”

With the glory of belonging to Jesus comes the ability to bearing fruit for Jesus. Just like a

healthy tree grows fruit, a healthy relationship with Jesus produces a desire to be kind and do

good to others. That’s what it means to bear fruit. There’s so much of Jesus’ love, generosity,

and kindness in us that we can’t help but share it with others. 

Bearing fruit extends beyond extravagant financial donations. Even small acts of kindness —

complimenting a co-worker or thanking someone for their hard work — are opportunities to

bear fruit. How many times have you run into an overwhelmed mom or dad at the grocery

store? Helping someone get their groceries into the car could bring more joy and peace than

we ever realized. 

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Bearing fruit isn’t just about making someone’s day, although that will happen. When our

lives bear fruit for God, we follow Jesus’ example and spread His love farther and faster than

we ever imagined. 

For Reflection:

On a scale of 1-10, how much is your life bearing fruit for God? What’s one way you can encourage someone today?

Week 8 – A New DealKey words/terms to understand:

Spirit of Life: ____________________________________

____________________________________

Spirit of adoption: ______________________________________

______________________________________

Walking according to the Spirit:

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

Verse to study:

Romans 8:1

“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.”

Personal Application: ________________________________________

________________________________________

Read Romans 8

Point 1:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Point 2:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Point 3:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

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Devotional Reading Week 8 – Can I make God stop loving me?

Do you worry God will stop loving you? Or that He could never love you?

Grace covers all our sins: past, present and future. Romans 8:1-2 says, “Therefore, there is

now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law

of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.” Jesus promises not

to condemn, but to give freedom from sin, death, guilt and shame to all who are in Him.

How do you become “in Christ?” It’s simple. Romans 10:8 says if we declare that Jesus is

Lord and believe God raised Jesus from the dead, we will be saved. Jesus’ invitation to

salvation is for everyone. If we’ve accepted that invite, we are in Christ and we are His

forever.

Romans 8:38-39 promises us that we cannot lose God’s love. God will not kick us out of the

family. In this way, His love makes us “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37). When we

know that nothing can separate us from God, not even death, we can approach each day with

confidence.

God’s grace is big enough to forgive all our sins; His power is big enough to conquer them.

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For Reflection:

What’s one sin you’re struggling with today? Take some time to confess it to God and ask for forgiveness, knowing He is ready to help you overcome.

Are you holding on to guilt from a sin you’ve already confessed and turned away from? What’s one fact from Romans 8 that you need to start believing today?

Extra (homework) – And what about us?Key words/terms to understand:

Election: ____________________________________

____________________________________

Self-righteousness: ______________________________________

______________________________________

True Israel:

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

Verse to study:

Romans 9:9-10

“…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.“

Read Romans 9-11

Point 1:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Point 2:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Point 3:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

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Personal Application: ________________________________________

________________________________________

Extra Devotional Reading – Self-help never helped anyone

You can enter the self-help section in a bookstore without a care in the world, only to leave

with at least three self-diagnosed problems. People get paid good money to point out every

flaw and vice we could have. Colourful, catchy phrases of quick fixes screaming to us from

the spines of books. Buy our books; buy freedom!

In Romans 10:1-4, the apostle Paul describes how people were creating a similar wave of

emotions with their religious advice. The nation of Israel had great enthusiasm and passion

when it came to God — traits we all want to have. But, their enthusiasm wasn’t rooted in the

understanding of who Jesus is. Instead, they were devoted to practicing their own ways of

being godly.

However passionate and sincere their deeds were, it wouldn’t lead them to salvation, and the

same is true for us. We can spend years meditating, soul searching, and self-helping our way

to what we think godliness looks like. But trying to become better people takes our focus off

where it needs to be: on Jesus. Jesus is the only person who has ever lived a sinless, good life.

Godliness doesn’t come from doing more; it comes from putting our faith in Jesus and

following His example every day.

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All around us are friends and family desperately searching books and programs for the

goodness in life only Jesus can bring. Paul writes, “...How beautiful are the feet of those who

bring the good news!” Let’s be someone’s beautiful feet today.

For Reflection:

Have you been pursuing happiness outside of Jesus? What’s one step you can take this week to put your focus back on following Him?

Do you know anyone who is searching for goodness or salvation in all the wrong places? Did anyone come to mind while reading this devotional? Maybe your next step is to reach out to that person and share what Jesus has done in your life.  

Week 9 – Let’s do this together

Key words/terms to understand:

One another:____________________________________

____________________________________

Stewardship: ______________________________________

______________________________________

Walk in Love:

_____________________________________

_____________________________________

Verse to study:

Romans 14:17

“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Read Romans 12-16

Point 1:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Point 2:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

Point 3:

___________________________

___________________________

___________________________

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Personal Application: ________________________________________

________________________________________

Devotional Reading Week 9 – Shock and Awe

A college student speeds through a red light and crashes into a young family’s SUV. The

student suffers mainly bruises from the airbag, but the young father in the SUV has brain

injuries and may never work again. The next day the young wife calls the student:  “Are you

okay? I pray that God will comfort you with His great love.  He created you, and He loves

you so much.”

Most of us would be filled with shock and awe that anyone could be that forgiving. But that’s

what Jesus did for us. Jesus extended undeserved love and forgiveness to us, and He asks us

to give that same grace and encouragement to others. Romans 15:1-6 instructs us to love each

other and build up those who are weaker than ourselves.  What does this look like in

everyday life? This is a coach telling his quarterback,  “You ignored my instructions, costing

us the game, but I believe in you and your desire to listen and learn.”  This is a restaurant

manager telling a new server after three wrong orders, “The first shift is tough for everybody,

but you are smart and diligent, so I know you will get this!”

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Only God can make us this generous and forgiving. Romans 15:5 says, “May the God who

gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other

that Christ had…”

The ability to love freely and generously comes from God as we follow Jesus step by step.

As we let God’s love change our lives, we have more forgiveness and encouragement to

share with others. God’s amazing grace enables us to love each other regardless of our

backgrounds or failures.  And as we do, God uses us, a bunch of imperfect people, to change

our churches and the world.

For Reflection:

Does loving this way seem impossible?  Why or why not?

What’s one way you can love someone extravagantly today?

APPENDIX 1 SOME COMPARISIONS

SO WHAT’S IN THE GOSPEL?

The letter to the Romans is all about the gospel. It’s simplicity, power and reality in the lives of believers is so important to understand. Yet, there is a tendency to divert from the original meaning of the gospel. Church history has shown us that usually people go into two opposite directions. If the gospel is not correctly understood, we can go to works (legalism) or licentiousness (freedom at the expense of transformation). I have made a comparison between the three ‘versions’. It’s a continuum so there is room for change. Don’t feel that you are being put in a box. It works as a reference to understand some things about God, self and others as well as the world, sin, grace and transformation.

SOME COMPARISONS

WHAT? WORKS GOSPEL LICENCE

FREEDOM FOR ‘FREE’ IF… FREE TO LOVE FREE TO FLEEMOTIVATION FEAR-DRIVEN LOVE DRIVEN NEED DRIVENCHANGE MY CHANGE REAL CHANGE NO CHANGEEFFORT HE DID - I TRY

HARDERHE DID – I SURRENDER

HE DID – I DO MY WAY

RIGHTEOUSNESS RIGHTEOUSNESS RIGHTEOUS- RIGHTEOUSNESS

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STRIVED FOR NESS IMPUTED IGNOREDRIGHTEOUSNESS POSITIONALLY

RIGHT, MORALLY LACKING

POSITIONALLY RIGHT, MORALLY RIGHT

POSITIONALLY RIGHT, MORALLY IGNORANT

ATTITUDE TOWARD GRACE

GRACE AND DO IT YOURSELF

GRACE IS RECEIVED BY FAITH

GRACE IS ABUSED IN THE NAME OF FREEDOM

ATTITUDE TOWARD FREEDOM

FREEDOM DENIED/LIMITED OR FEAR OF ABUSE

FREEDOM ENJOYED/ LOVE CAST OUT ALL FEAR

FREEDOM ABUSED/NO FEAR

VERSIONS OF GOSPEL – COMPONENT 1ATTITUDE TOWARDS SELF

FEEL BAD GOSPEL/NO CONNECTION WITH ME - GO THROUGH THE MOTIONS GOSPEL

UNDERSTAND THE GOOD NEWS WITHOUT IGNORMING THE BAD NEWS GOSPEL

FEEL GOOD GOSPEL

VERSIONS OF GOSPEL – COMPONENT 2ATTITUDE TOWARDS OTHERS

ACTIVISM/SOCIALISM GOSPEL – DO IT FOR OTHERS

REPENT AND BELIEVE – LOVE OTHERS AS YOURSELF

PROSPERITY GOSPELYOU ARE THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE…

VERSIONS OF GOSPEL – COMPONENT 3 – VIEW OF SELF

PSYCHOLOGYISM GOSPEL – YOU MATTER, BUT THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOU…

YOU MATTER. BECAUSE HE HE CREATED YOU IN HIS IMAGE

SELF-ESTEEM OR GOOD PERSON GOSPEL

VERSIONS OF GOSPEL – COMPONENT 4 – THE CROSS

HE DIED BECAUSE YOU ARE A SINNER! NOW, DO IT YOURSELF

HE DIED BECAUSE YOU SINNED, BUT YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO BE A SON – NOW DIE AND LIVE

HE DIED! YAY I CAN LIVE MY LIFE NOW - INCORPORATE JESUS GOSPEL

WORLDVIEW NOT OF THIS WORLD GOSPEL

IN THIS WORLD, NOT OF IT

IN/OF THIS WORLD CULTURALLY RELEVANT GOSPEL

CULTURE SEEN AS BAD/CORRUPT NEITHER GOOD NOR BAD – CONDITIONAL

GOOD

GUILT/SHAME AND CONDEMNATION

I AM NOT GOOD ENOUGH

I AM GOOD IN HIM

I AM GOOD

JUSTIFICATION JUSTIFIED BY HIM (AND ME)

JUSTIFIED BY FAITH

JUSTIFIED IN MY OWN EYES

SANCTIFICATION HOLIER-THAN-THOU

HOLINESS IS FRUIT OF RELATIONSHIP

HOLINESS IS OPTIONAL

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GOD’S ATTITUDE TOWARD HUMAN

YOU ARE A SINNER YOU ARE A LOST SON

YOU ARE A SAVAGE

HOLY SPIRIT I HELP HIM A BIT (READ: A LOT)

I LET HIM AND RESPOND WORK WITH HIM

I LET HIM WHEN CONVENIENT

SIN SEEN AS VERY PERVASIVE, ALWAYS STRUGGLE

SEEN AS PERVASIVE BUT GOSPEL OFFERS REAL REMEDY

SEEN AS MISTAKES OR FLAWS.

DESTINY AND PURPOSE

PRAY AND GO TO HEAVEN ONE DAY, BUT WORK HARD TO GET THERE

GOD WANTS TO RESTORE YOUR VALUE NOW

I AM COOL WITH GOD, BUT IT’S MY LIFE

IDENTITY FOCUS ON HOLINESS BUT WITH A DISTORTED VIEW ON IDENTITY

HOLINESS FLOWS OUT OF A GODLY IDENTITY

FOCUS ON HAPPINESS AT THE EXPENSE OF A HEALTHY IDENTITY

TRUTH VS LOVE TRUTH OVER LOVE TRUTH IN LOVE “LOVE” BUT NO TRUTH

ESCHATOLOGY (VIEW OF END TIMES)

GET ME OUT OF HERE FAST!

I LONG TO BE WITH CHRIST, BUT WHILE I AM HERE..........

NOT RELEVANT FOR ME

HELL AND WRATH (GOD’S ANGER TOWARD SIN)

TURN OR BURN! (IN THE EXTREME SCENARIO); USED AS A MEANS TO PERSUADE PEOPLE TO REPENT

GOD LOVES YOU AND DOES NOT WANT ANYONE TO PERISH; BUT JUDGMENT IS COMING AND HELL IS REAL

GOD LOVES YOU SO IT DOESN’T MATTER. HELL IS NOT REAL/JUST SYMBOLICAL.

DISCIPLESHIP FOLLOW THESE 7 STEPS PLEASE…

FOLLOW JESUS AND HE’LL MAKE YOU INTO FISHERS OF MEN

I BELIEVE IN GOD, THAT SHOULD DO

ATTITUDE TOWARDS CHURCH

I NEED TO GO OR ELSE!

I WANT TO GO BECAUSE I LOVE TO WORSHIP AND BE WITH MY FAMILY

GOD IS NICE, BUT CHURCH…WELL…

CHURCH UNITY EVERYONE GET IN LINE – STRONG PUSH FOR UNIFORMITY

WE LOVE EACH OTHER – UNITY IN ESSENTIALS FREEDOM IN NON-ESSENTIALS

EVERYONE TOLERATES EACH OTHER

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APPENDIX 2: GLOSSARY OF IMPORTANT WORDS IN ROMANS TO UNDERSTAND

This is a good list of words you may want to study yourself. Underline them in your bible. In brackets you can find them easily in a chapter.

1. ADOPTION 2. BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST3. BELIEVE4. BODY5. CARNAL/SPIRITUAL6. CIRCUMCISION (OF THE FLESH/OF THE HEART)7. CONDEMNATION8. DOMINION9. ELECT(ION)10. FAITHFULNESS11. FLESH12. FORBEARANCE OF GOD13. GIFT14. GLORY OF GOD15. GOODNESS OF GOD16. GOSPEL17. GRACE18. IMPUTE (RIGHTEOUSNESS)19. IN ADAM/IN CHRIST20. JEW/GENTILE21. JUDGMENT22. JUSTICE23. JUSTIFICATION

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24. LAW25. MERCY26. PEACE27. PROMISE28. PROPITIATION29. RECONCILIATION30. REDEMPTION31. RIGHTEOUS(NESS)32. SALVATION33. SEED34. SIN35. SPIRIT36. STUMBLE37. UNRIGHTEOUS(NESS)38. WALK ACCORDING TO THE FLESH/SPIRIT39. WORKS40. WRATH OF GOD

A good place to look up these words is in www.biblestudytools.comAll devotionals taken from https://newspring.cc/ at New Spring Church – SC, US.