Romans Worksheet - Chapter 14

Review & Conclusion of Romans:

Romans 1-3 demonstrated man's need for righteousness.  Romans 4-5 examined the faith of one who is declared righteous before God.  Romans 6-8 showed how faith releases the Spirit of God to do in a believer what the law could not do; to truly transform the believer by the Spirit within them.  Romans 9-11 went back into history and to the future to show us that God began the nation of Israel to bring about glory to His Name to the earth and that He will complete and fulfill all the promises to the nation of Israel after the age of the church is complete.  Now, in Romans 12-16, Paul will return to the major theme to show how God's righteousness through the Holy Spirit shows expression in the new community, the body of Christ, the church.  We will see that the life of faith is never intended to be lived out alone, but we are dependent on one another in the body of Christ and we help one another in our personal victories over sin.  Amen!

Romans Chapter 14

In keeping with the theme of loving one another and preferring others over our self, Paul addresses the areas of debatable issues among believers. 

Some of the believers in Rome still believed they should hold to Jewish customs they had learned of eating clean meats given in the Law of Moses and observing special days such as keeping the Sabbath day.  Those who fully understood that Christ was the end of the Law to all that believed were not to flaunt their freedom around their weaker brethren who still felt they must keep certain rituals.  Those who did keep the rituals were not to judge their brother's freedom in Christ as well.  Each were to be fully convinced within themselves before God and live according to their own faith and not judge one another.

1.  When we accept a person who is weak in fully understanding freedom in Christ, what are we to be careful not to do? vs. 1 -

2.  What did those who fully understood their freedom in Christ believe? vs. 2a -

3.  What did those who did not fully understand their freedom (the weaker in faith) believe? vs. 2b -

4.  How is the one in full freedom to view the weaker one? vs. 3a - 

5.  How is the one in limited freedoms to view the one fully free? vs. 3b - 

Note:  This concerns the debatable matters like religious ordinances, not the clear matters of sin and godly living that are made clear in the teaching of Jesus and His apostles.  These are matters of food, drink, and observing special days.

6.  What does Paul want to make sure we understand in regard to all he is sharing?

What is the unifying result of walking in the love of God and in His Holy Spirit? vs. 17 -

• 1)
• 2)
• 3)

7.  Paul discusses these matters in his letter to the church in Corinth as well. 

He explains that because some of the meat sold in the markets were dedicated to unknown gods that the heathens there believed in, that should not matter to a believer who sanctified their food in the Word and prayer with thanksgiving to God before consuming it. 

Some just couldn't break free from the fact that meat had been sacrificed to idols. 

How did Paul exhort them regarding this? 

• 1 Corinthians 8:7-13 -

8. How did Paul act when with those who had a more limited mindset of his freedoms in Christ or had not come to know about freedom in Christ through salvation as of yet?

• Was he judgmental and demanding of them? 

Write out how he handled things and why.

• 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 -

9. For those who have more knowledge in Christ, what must we guard against and what should always be our driving motivation for all things?

• 1 Corinthians 8:1-6

Paul insists that to keep unity among us, we need to abandon judgmental attitudes toward those who practice their interpretation of certain rules and regulations of the Christian faith different than we do.  He is terribly blunt here.  In Romans 14:9, he says that Christ died and rose again that He might be LORD. Amen.  No one made us Lord over their conscience, but we are to be true to our own.

10. Once we grow in faith and realize that the laws in the Old Covenant were merely a shadow of the reality of Christ and that all the law has been fulfilled in Him ...

...we need to not allow those who still adhere to certain laws be judge over us as well.

What does Paul clearly teach in the following verses?

• Colossians 2:16-23 - 

Where do we need to keep our focus?

• Colossians 3:1-4 -

Back to Romans 14 -

11. Who are each of us accountable to and who takes care of our fellow believers? vs. 4 -

12. Paul moves into the observation of days next. 

As we read the Old Testament, we see that God gave the Israelites special feasts to observe annually and He told them to keep the Sabbath day holy unto Him.  In the New Covenant of Grace in Christ Jesus, we celebrate His fulfillment of all the feasts and we see that He taught that He is the Lord of the Sabbath, that true rest is in Him.   Paul makes it clear that everyday is alike in living for the Lord, but some still choose to observe certain days as more holy than others.   He addresses how this should be handled between us.  There is no need for division and argument; just acceptance of one another in Him.  Amen.

• What do each one of us need to be convinced of in our own minds? vs. 5 -
• When a fellow Christian is observing a day they are convinced is holy such as the Sabbath or a religious holiday, who are they obseving it for? vs. 6 -
• What is important regardless of the way we observe certain days or the food that we eat? vs. 6 -
• Who do each of us live for and die for? vs. 7-8 -
• Why did Jesus die and live again? vs. 9 -
• If He is LORD, what is our position and how are we to view our fellow believers in Him?  
• Where will each one of us stand and bow at ? vs. 10-12 -
• Therefore, what are we not to do any longer and to be determined about? vs. 13 -

13. What was Paul himself convinced of? vs. 14 -  (also vs. 20) -

• If another person is convinced differently from Paul, what is that person to do?  vs. 14 -
• What is Paul or others who have a fuller freedom in their understanding to do with the one who is less convinced of that freedom? vs. 15 -

How is all food sanctified for the believer? Comment on these verses:

• 1 Corinthians 10:30-31 -
• 1 Timothy 4:1-4 -

14. Paul states that our freedom in Christ is precious and a good thing and we are to walk in a manner that will not have it spoken evil of.  

We should not present the kingdom of God as though it is about what we eat or what we drink and how we observe days.

What are we to represent about God's kingdom to others from our lives? vs. 17

• 1)
• 2)
• 3)

15. When we walk this way in His Spirit, who are we acceptable to?  Who are we approved by? vs. 18 -

Note: This makes a doorway to share our faith and the most important matters of faith in our Lord Jesus so that others might be saved and grow in the grace and knowledge of Him.

Have you seen doors open wide when you were not judgmental of another's religious practices but just lived in the righteousness, peace, and joy of Jesus before them? 

• In another sense, have you seen the door shut tight because you were too judgmental of them and their practices of faith? 
• How will this lesson help you in your personal life and how you relate to others?

16. What type of things are we to pursue (hunt down, chase after, work hard to obtain) in our fellowship with other believers? vs. 19 -

• 1)
• 2)

Note: If we do not tear down God's work in their lives over matters of debatable issues (examples:  baptisms, spiritual gifts, communion, special days, special foods, etc.) - but we build up one another with the unity of our faith in Jesus our Lord and in His Word - we will please God and man and God's work will not be hindered, but increased among us. We especially need to remember this in our neighborhood ministries of Heart & Home or on an inline group like RTB where we have so many in different demoninations and walks of life.  We are hear to read His Word and encourage one another to grow in Him.  That is the unifying factor!

17. What will your condition be if you walk in the areas you are fully convinced of in the Lord and if you let others do the same? vs. 22 -

18. If you doubt others or yourself, what is the condition you will be in? vs. 23 -

• If we do not walk in faith, what are we doing? vs. 23 -
• Also see 1 John 3:21 -

Application:

Take time to write out your personal convictions about food, drink, special ordinances and  days.  How do you personally view things that others have been in opposing views of with you?  Are you fully convinced one way or the other?  What are you struggling with?  Pray about it and walk in your convictions.  Be happy in them.  Do not judge your fellow Christian's differences, but accept them in love.  Pursue the things that will build up one another, not tear down or discourage one another.  Amen?

Your summary and prayer today:

Written by Brenda LeMoine for Heart & Home Bible Fellowship© with permission to use on RTB sites only. For personal or ministry related use, please email Brenda for permission and conditions.

Romans Worksheet - Chapter 13

 

Review & Conclusion of Romans:

Romans 1-3 demonstrated man's need for righteousness.  Romans 4-5 examined the faith of one who is declared righteous before God.  Romans 6-8 showed how faith releases the Spirit of God to do in a believer what the law could not do; to truly transform the believer by the Spirit within them.  Romans 9-11 went back into history and to the future to show us that God began the nation of Israel to bring about glory to His Name to the earth and that He will complete and fulfill all the promises to the nation of Israel after the age of the church is complete.  Now, in Romans 12-16, Paul will return to the major theme to show how God's righteousness through the Holy Spirit shows expression in the new community, the body of Christ, the church.  We will see that the life of faith is never intended to be lived out alone, but we are dependent on one another in the body of Christ and we help one another in our personal victories over sin.  Amen!

Romans Chapter 13

This chapter is a continuation in Paul's letter to the Romans. 

1.  You could continue the list we were making in Chapter 12 for how we are to live as a living sacrifice unto God and make your next item be: (vs. 1)

• Every person is to be in _________to the __________authorities.

2.  Who has established every governing authority in our lives? vs. 1 -

Name another responsibility we have toward men in authority as believers.  Comment on these verses:

• 1 Timothy 2:1-4 -

3.  If we resist governing authority in our lives, who are we actually opposing? vs. 2 -

4.  What will come upon us if we resist governing authorities? vs. 2 - 

• What does Peter teach about our authorities?  Read 1 Peter 2:13-20 -
• According to the Scriptures given, how is a Christian to react when the authorities seems unfair in their treatment to us?
• What is the goal of our behavior? 1 Peter 2:12; 15 -
• How does this apply in a marriage between a woman and her husband? 1 Peter 3:1-4 -

It appears that many times we are put in the life of an authority figure to be a witness to them and to bring God's glory in their presence.

Back to Romans 13:

5.  When authorities are ruling under the proper order, they are not there to punish good behavior, but evil. 

• Therefore, what is the way to avoid being fearful of proper authorities in your life? vs. 3 -

6.  What are the authorities in our lives called? vs. 4a -

• What are they set in place to encourage us to do? vs. 4 -

7.  Does the Bible teach that we are to pay taxes to our governing authorities? 

• Why is this so? vs. 5-7 -

Note:  God has introduced the institution of human government as a restraining influence on sin and has permitted it the use of force.  But the function of government is clearly limited:  it is commissioned to restrain wrongdoing.  Christians are to subject themselves to secular authorities "for conscience sake", and not just for fear of possible punishment.  The Christian is to live as a good citizen of his country and society. When civil rulers overstep their proper function, the Christian is to obey God as his highest order of law.

  Comment on the following verses:

• Acts 4:13-22 -
• Acts 5:25-32 -

8.  What debt do we owe all of mankind? vs. 8 -

To love is the one debt that is never paid off.  No matter how much one has loved, he is under obligation to keep on loving.

9.  When we truly love our neighbor or fellow man, we have fulfilled the law.

• How does love fulfill all the other commandments?  Explain using vs.8-10 -

10. When we love in this way, what are we to recognize about the time we are living in? vs. 11 -

11.  The night is almost gone, and the day is near.  Because of the seriousness of the hour in which we live, what should we lay aside?  What should we put on? vs. 12 -

12.  We are to behave properly always as in the daylight.  Names the areas we are not to participate in - vs. 13 -

• 1)
• 2)
• 3)
• 4)
• 5)
• 6)

13.  Who are we to 'put on'? vs. 14 -

14.  What are we not to make any provision for? vs. 14 -

Application:

Are you willingly obeying the laws of the land?  Think about areas such as speeding, parking in marked zones, and other things that seem harmless in your mind but would not honor God. Do you respect all authority even if you might disagree with policies they make? Do you realize that whoever is in governing authority is put there by God? Will you pay taxes to whom taxes are due without complaint, but thankfulness for God's servants? Have you prayed for those in authority positions in your life today?  Will you try to remember to pray for them daily? Who are those that have authority in your life?  Parents?  Husband?  Pastor?  City, County, State, and National Leaders of the Land?  Law Enforcement Officers?  Do you realize you have a debt, an obligation to love others as Christ has loved you?  Who will you make payment to today with your attitudes and service?  You are to owe them nothing else but love and yet love will fulfill the laws of God every time. Have you dressed in Jesus today?  Have you put Him on?  Walking in the Spirit, you will allow the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in your life and you will not carry out the deeds of the flesh.  You are under grace and you can keep your flesh under subjection to God's spirit by His grace.  Say no to the lusts of the flesh today. Comment on Galatians 5:16-25 -

Your summary and prayer today:

Written by Brenda LeMoine for Heart & Home Bible Fellowship© with permission to use on RTB sites only. For personal or ministry related use, please email Brenda for permission and conditions.

Romans Worksheet - Chapter 12

Review & Conclusion of Romans:

Romans 1-3 demonstrated man's need for righteousness.  Romans 4-5 examined the faith of one who is declared righteous before God.  Romans 6-8 showed how faith releases the Spirit of God to do in a believer what the law could not do; to truly transform the believer by the Spirit within them.  Romans 9-11 went back into history and to the future to show us that God began the nation of Israel to bring about glory to His Name to the earth and that He will complete and fulfill all the promises to the nation of Israel after the age of the church is complete.  Now, in Romans 12-16, Paul will return to the major theme to show how God's righteousness through the Holy Spirit shows expression in the new community, the body of Christ, the church.  We will see that the life of faith is never intended to be lived out alone, but we are dependent on one another in the body of Christ and we help one another in our personal victories over sin.  Amen!

Romans Chapter 12

1. This chapter begins with the word "Therefore" which means it is a conclusion of a thought previously given.

What has Paul been discussing for the first 11 chapters of our reading?  He has talked about God declaring us righteous by faith in Jesus and how that will transform our lives by the Holy Spirit and free us from the bondage of sin in our lives.  Now, he begins to explain what we should do by God's grace in our daily lives in worship of God by His mercy and His grace.

• What are we suppose to do by the "mercies of God"? vs. 1 -

How do we present our bodies as a living and holy sacrifice to God in worship? 

Paul explained in Romans 6 how we are dead to sin but alive to Christ and how we are to present the members of our bodies as slaves to righteousness.  In other words, it is an act of our will to present our body parts to God in holy service to him.

Romans 6:11-14 -

Worship involves more than an activity of prayer and singing.  It involves the heart, the mind, and the will.  It is obedient service.

2. Paul explains that it begins in our mind, in the seat of our intellect, our thinking.

• In order to not be conformed (pressed into the mold) of the world's corrupt ways, what must we do with our minds? vs. 2 -

Instead of being conformed, we will be transformed through this process.  Look up the meaning of these words in a dictionary.

• Conformed - 
• Transformed -

3.  When we renew our minds by God's Word, we will be transformed.  What does the transformation of the believer mean?

• 2 Corinthians 3:18 -

What will be proven for our lives when we renew our minds in His Word?

• Romans 12:2b -

4.  Describe the three words given for this renewal and discovery:

• 1)
• 2)
• 3)

Since this is true, do you need ever fear finding out God's will for your life?
5.  Paul always gives 'grace' the credit for what he is able to teach and walk out. 

Remember that 'grace' is unearned, undeserved favor from God toward us.  Paul is saying that he remains in a humble state of knowing that without Christ, he is nothing and that everything he says or does is by the Lord's help in his weaknesses.  Amen.

Through this 'grace', what do each of us need to not think about and to think about? vs. 3 -

• 1)
• 2)
• 3)

How does Paul say this to the church in Philippi?

• Philippians 2:1-4 -

6.  Paul continues by showing that we are all members of one body just as our human body has many members or parts (arms, legs, etc). 

Just as our human parts do not all have the same function, we as members of the body of Jesus do not function the same either.  Our function in the one body of Jesus is according to the 'grace' gifts that God has given each one of us to serve one another with.  (vs. 6) Since these are called charisma in the Greek - "grace" gifts - it means that we are not given them on merit, but by God's choice and favor.  We do not choose the gifts we serve in, but we need to discover what God has gifted us with to serve in His body.  Paul lists motivational gifts in this chapter, which mean we can discover our particular gift by discerning what motivates us, what gives us joy in serving others?  When we discover this, we can operate fully in what we are gifted by 'grace' to do for the body of Jesus and not compare ourselves to others, but know that we all need one another for the body to function properly.

List the motivational gifts Paul tells us about and anything that is said about them from verses 6 - 8:

• 1)
• 2)
• 3)
• 4)
• 5)
• 6)
• 7)

Note: After making this list from Romans 12, do you see one (or more) that you have joy and desire to operate in?Are you operating in it?  Remember how this passage started out today.  We are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Lord which is our spiritual worship.  The way we do this is through prayer and Bible reading, but also through obedience, through serving one another in our spiritual gifts.  If you have not discovered what motivates you by His grace, pray about it today and begin to operate in those things that God has given you the desire to do.  We all need you!  Each of you are an essential part of the body of Jesus.

7. How does Paul explain the importance of discovering our gift(s) and using them by God's grace in his teaching to the church at Ephesus?

• Ephesians 4:1-16 -
• How are we to walk in our grace gifts? vs. 1-3 -

Name the 7 things that Paul lists that are the unity of our faith. vs.3-5 -

• 1)
• 2)
• 3)
• 4)
• 5)
• 6)
• 7)

What is given to each one of us according to Christ's gift? vs. 7 -

Remember from our previous teachings, grace is an action verb, it is power, it is the ability to do extraordinary things in our ordinary lives because it is God at work within us to move through us. It is not earned or deserved.  It is God's gift to us to receive by faith, by simply believing and living it out.  Amen.

8.  Why has God given us the prophets and the apostles in the Word? 
Why has He given evangelists who share the Gospel  along with pastors and teachers who teach the Words of our Lord? 

• What is the purpose of those gifted in this way by the Lord? vs. 11 - 12 -
• How long will these be needed in our lives? vs. 13 -
• What will be the result of us yielding our lives to those given to us as our authorities in the faith, based on the teachings of the prophets and apostles of the Word of God? vs. 14 -

9.  We are to grow up in all aspects into Him, into Jesus. 

• What is Jesus in reference to the body of Christ? vs. 15-16 -

10. From Christ, the body fits together and is held together. 

• What is the responsibility of each one of us in this? vs. 16 -  
• What is the main ingredient for this growth to take place? vs. 16 -

This is a great introduction back to Romans 12 where Paul instructs in this letter to how we are to walk in our motivational gift(s) in the body of Jesus.  He has already told us not to think higher of ourselves than another, but to prefer others over our own interests.  Now, he gets into some very practical things that we are to be sure we are walking in.

Let's list them below.

Read Romans 12:9-21

Note: To fill in the blanks, I used the NASB version of the Bible, but hopefully you can fill it out or restate the statement from the version you use.  If you struggle to do so, look up the verse online and choose the NASB just for this portion.

• 1) vs. 9 - Let love be without __________
• 2) vs. 9 - Abhor (hate) what is _________
• 3) vs. 9 - Cling (love) what is __________
• 4) vs. 10 - Be devoted to one another in ________ ______
• 5) vs. 10 - Give _________ to one another in ________
• 6) vs. 11 - Not lagging _______in ________
• 7) vs. 11 - ________in spirit
• 8) vs. 11 - serving the ________
• 9) vs. 12 - rejoicing in ________
• 10) vs. 12 - persevering in ____________
• 11) vs. 12 - devoted to ____________
• 12) vs. 13 - contributing to the needs of the ________
• 13) vs. 13 - practicing _____________
• 14) vs. 14 - bless those who _________ us; bless and do not ________.
• 15) vs. 15 - rejoice with those who _______
• 16) vs. 15 - weep with those who ________
• 17) vs. 16 - Be of the _____ mind toward one another
• 18) vs. 16 - Do not be ________ in mind, but associate with the __________.
• 19) vs. 16 - Do not be _____ is your own estimation.
• 20) vs. 17 - Never pay back _____ for ____ to anyone.
• 21) vs. 17 - Respect what is _____ in the sight of _____ men.
• 22) vs. 18 - If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at _____ with all men.
• 23) vs. 19 - Never take your own ______, beloved, but leave room for the _______ of God, for it is written, "__________is Mine, I will _____", says the Lord.
• 24) vs. 20 - If your enemy is hungry, _____ him and if he is thirsty, give him a _______; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.

See this referred in Proverbs:

• Proverbs 25:21-22 -
• 25) vs. 21 - Do not be _______ by _____, but overcome _____ with _______. 

11. How does Paul teach Timothy to handle those who are quarrelsome and what is the hope of handling a situation with this wisdom in the Lord?

• 2 Timothy 2:22-26 -

12. Describe the difference between worldly wisdom in difficult situations and godly wisdom from the verses that follow:

• James 3:13-18 -

Application:

How will you discover the grace gift you are to operate in? How will you offer yourself a living and holy sacrifice to God? What will keep you from conforming to the world's ways?  What will transform you to be like our Lord? What do you think your motivational gift is for the body of Jesus?  Why do you think so? How will you begin to use it for God's glory and the good of the body of Jesus? Do you believe you operate in the wisdom of gentleness in the Spirit?  If not, what steps will you take to correct it?

Your summary and prayer today:

Written by Brenda LeMoine for Heart & Home Bible Fellowship© with permission to use on RTB sites only. For personal or ministry related use, please email Brenda for permission and conditions.

Romans Worksheet - Chapter 11

Introduction: 

Paul has referred to the history of Israel and the laws of Moses to tell us about God's law and how a man can not be justified through the law, but by grace alone through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  He has established this in Romans 1 - 8.  Those familiar with the Old Testament will surely want to know: "What about the nation of Israel?  What has happened, and what will happen, to Israel?" Paul will use the materials we have in Romans 9 - 11 to explain this to the readers of his letter to the Romans.

Romans Chapter 11

Paul says:  "I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He?  May it never be!"  vs. 1

1.  How does Paul describe himself in vs. 1? 1)2)3)

This is a great time to look at other verses of Paul's background and testimony.

What do you learn about Paul from the following passages of Scripture?

• Acts 26:1-23 -
• Galatians 1:13-17 -

2. Answer some questions from these passages:

From Acts 26:

• Was Paul once a Pharisee? 
• Did Paul feel he had to do things to harm the name of Jesus at one time? 
• What did he do to followers of Christ before he was converted?
• What did he try to force them to do?
• What happened to Paul on the way to Damascus to persecute Christians? 
• Who did Jesus say Paul was persecuting? 
• What was Paul commissioned to do for the Lord Jesus?

From Galatians 1:

• Was Paul zealous in his beliefs as a Pharisee in Judaism?  
• When did that change? 
• When did God set him apart for His calling? 
• What was His calling? 
• Are you surprised that God allowed him to do these things before He revealed Jesus to Him? 
• What are your thoughts related to your own life and call?

Back to Romans 11:

3.  Paul uses himself as an example of an Israelite that God has not rejected.  Paul reminds those who wonder about the election of Israel as God's people to remember what Elijah the prophet pleaded against them about. 

• What was his complaint? vs. 2-3 -
• What did God tell Elijah at that time? vs. 4 -
• How does this relate to the Israelites today? vs. 5 - 

4.  Do the Israelites gain favor by keeping the law?  

• What is the only basis of salvation for them? vs. 6 - 

5.  Read Romans 11:7-10.

• Which Israelites received what they were seeking? vs.7-
• What happened to the rest of them?vs. 7 -

Paul addressed this some in Romans 9 already. Review what he said.Romans 9:30-33 -

• How were these trying to acheive righteousness before God?
• What was their stumbling block? 
• What did they fail to do?

Paul quotes passages from the Old Testament to explain how the hearts of the Jews had hardened.

 Look these up and reply to the thoughts that follow them.

• Isaiah 6:8-10 -
• Isaiah 29:9-11-

6.  Even though Jesus told His disciples and the multitides that He was the subject of Psalms, the Prophets, and the Law of Moses, He had to open their eyes to understand it by the Holy Spirit, which is how we see the truths of God as believers of faith. 

What still happens to the majority of the Israelites at the reading of Moses and the Law? 

Do they see Jesus there? 

• Why or why not according to the following Scriptures? 2 Corinthians 3:14-17 -
• What must take place for them to finally see Jesus represented to them in the Old Testament Scriptures? 

7.  This is what happened to Paul and to each one of us that have been born again. 

Have you ever shared with a non-believing friend and got so frustrated because they could not see the same things in the Scriptures that seem so easy for you to see and accept by faith?

• Why is this so?
• 1 Corinthians 2:12-16 -

Back to Romans 11 -

Paul says:  "I say then, they (Israel) did not stumble so as to fall, did they?  May it never be!" vs. 11

8.  In God's plan, what does their hardness and non-acceptance of the Gospel bring about for the rest of the world (the Gentiles) ? vs. 11 -

9.  What does Paul look forward to concerning the future of the Israelites? vs. 11-15 -

How does Israel's rejecton of the Gospel bring riches to the world? How does their failure to receive by faith bring riches for the Gentiles?  Let's continue to see this ..... Jesus came for the lost house of Israel (Matthew 15:24)  The disciples whom He chose for His 12 apostles were Jewish men.  Jesus was born to the Jewish race.  The apostles took the Gospel to the Jews first.

What caused the apostles to turn from only delivering the Gospel message to the Jews..and take it to the Gentiles, the rest of the world?

• Acts 13:46-48 -
• Acts 18:5-6 -

This is why the Jews' rejection was riches for the Gentiles.  It is referring to all the riches (benefits) that come as a result of our relationship with Christ as believers.

10. What does Paul pray for all believers to realize?

• Ephesians 1:18-19 -

Back to Romans 11 -

Note:  Paul hopes that his ministry to the Gentiles might move some of his fellow countrymen of Israel to believe in the Gospel.  He knows that if the Jew's rejection brought reconciliation of the world to God, the Jew's acceptance of the Gospel will bring them life in place of their deadness of spirit. (vs. 14-15).  He will continue to explain that as the period of time for the Gentiles to believe comes to a closure, there will be a spiritual awakening to the Jews as prophesied in the Old Testament before the coming of the Messiah.  Read on to see how Paul explains this.

Read Romans 11:16-24.

11.  Paul is giving the visual of an olive tree.  He speaks to the Jews as the branches and the Gentiles as the wild olive that was grafted into the original tree by God's grace.

• Why were branches (Jews) of this tree broken off? vs. 20 -
• Why do those (Gentiles) grafted in by faith stand? vs. 20

We should not be arrogant of the fact that Gentiles have been grafted into the root of Jewish faith.  It was by God's grace and doing and we should be in awe of what has been accomplished for us and not be arrogant toward the Jews.  God is not finished with them yet as Paul will continue to explain.

12. What is the mystery Paul wants us to be aware of? vs. 25 -

13. What will happen after the fulness of the Gentiles come in by faith? vs. 26-27 -

Note:  This promise of the Indwelling Holy Spirit to the nation of  Israel was prophesied in the Old Testament and was pictured or foreshadowed in all of the temple requirements, sacrifices, feasts, etc.  They were taught from the Prophets that God would send HIs Holy Spirit through a new covenant that would no longer be on the outside leading them, but would indwell them and change their hearts.  Let's look at some of those passages:

• Isaiah 59:19-21 -
• Who will be redeemed in Israel? vs. 20 -
• Jeremiah 31:33-34 -
• Ezekiel 36:22-27 -

14. Please read the event that happens prior to this outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the remnant of believing Jews:

• Zechariah 12:8 - 13:1 -

Note:  Summary of what many scholars believe this is representing -  1) The fulness of the Gentiles would be the last Gentile that will believe before Jesus gathers the believers to Himself in the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) .... ....2) After the rapture of the church, the wrath of God will come through the tribulation period on all of the earth, but it will be especially hard on Israel as a nation.  There will be a period of peace when a world ruler makes a peace treaty with Israel for seven years, but then he will break it in the middle of that time.  There will be 3-1/2 yrs of peace followed by 3-1/2 yrs of horrible persecution and plagues as the end of all things will be here.  This world ruler will be the anti-Christ.  ... 3) When Christ comes with His saints to be glorified at the end of that period of time and to set up His kingdom on earth, the remnant of believing Jews that have escaped to the mountains will see Him come.  This is when the fulfillment of Zechariah 12:8 - 13:1 takes place when they see with their eyes the One their ancestors crucified and they will mourn for Him as an only Son.

15. Then, it says that they will drink of the fountain for cleansing from the sin which is representative of the indwelling Holy Spirit we have experienced as described in John Chapter 7:

• John 7:37-39 -
• What had to happen before anyone could receive the Holy Spirit? vs. 39
• What would the Holy Spirit produce in a believer's life? vs. 38 -
• Who can partake of the Holy Spirit of God? vs. 37 -

16. This has explained when Israel will be grafted back in to the olive tree with those who have already been believers in Jesus. 

Currently, the individual Jews that come to faith in Christ are part of the Lord's church body, one body.

• 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 -
• Ephesians 3:4-6 -

Jews & Gentiles - In One Body - The Church

Let's Finish Romans 11 -

Read Romans 11:28-36

17. From the standpoint of the Gospel, they are enemies of it for the Gentile's sake, but from the standpoint of God's plan they are beloved for the sake of the fathers of faith (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, etc.)...

• Does God ever change His mind about the gifts He gives or the callings He bestows? vs. 29 -
• How does this comfort you in your life?

Paul explains how the disobedience of the Israelites opened up the way for the Gentiles to come in by faith.  We were shown mercy by God's grace and that is the same way that they will come in as well, by God's grace and God's mercy upon them.

18. Why has God shown us throughout this letter to the Romans that we cannot obey His laws? vs. 32 -

19. This sends Paul into a praise session and it should us as well!

"Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways!" vs. 33

• Fill in the blanks from verse 36 - "For _____Him and ______Him and _____Him are all things.  To Him be the _____forever. Amen."

Application:

As the world events are centered around the nation of Israel today more and more, we can see that all things are coming together for the very last days of this earth as we know it.  Spend time thanking God for justifying you and bringing you into the riches of Christ's glory and the inheritance of the saints!  Thank Him for the nation of Israel and all that He will do to bring them back to Himself and fulfill His promises of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon them.  Thank Him for the Spirit that we freely drink of each and every day.  Amen!

Your summary and prayer today:

 

Written by Brenda LeMoine for Heart & Home Bible Fellowship© with permission to use on RTB sites only. For personal or ministry related use, please email Brenda for permission and conditions.

Romans Worksheet - Chapter 10

 

Introduction:  
 

Paul has referred to the history of Israel and the laws of Moses to tell us about God's law and how a man can not be justified through the law, but by grace alone through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  He has established this in Romans 1 - 8.  Those familiar with the Old Testament will surely want to know: "What about the nation of Israel?  What has happened, and what will happen, to Israel?" Paul will use the materials we have in Romans 9 - 11 to explain this to the readers of his letter to the Romans.

Romans Chapter 10

1.  Again as Paul stated in Chapter 9, what is his heart and prayer for the Israelites?  vs. 1

• Do you have a prayer list going for those who are lost and need to know Him? 
• Why not use your Prayer journal in RTB or at home to list them and pray for them often if not daily?   

2.  Although they (the Israelites) have a zeal for God, what is the problem with it?  vs. 2-3 -

• Can we be sincere and be sincerely wrong? 
• Have you ever been zealous for something that later you found to not be based on true doctrine from God's Word? 

3.  How can you avoid this error?

• 1 Peter 2:1-2 -
• Romans 12:2 -
• 2 Peter 3:17-18 -
• 2 Timothy 2:15 -

4.  Once we are attaining knowledge, it is very important that we continue to grow in "grace" with the knowledge we are attaining. 

Read and comment on this verse again:

• 2 Peter 3:17-18 -

What two things are you to continue to GROW in so that you will not be led astray by the error of unprincipled men?

• 1)
• 2)

Remember that - Grace is God's favor toward us that is unearned and not deserved.  We must remain humble and realize that the knowledge or the zeal is not what makes us righteous before God.  It is only the blood of Jesus that gives us that status.  Amen.

5.  Once we are believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, what has come to an end for us? vs. 4 -

Note:  Does this mean we live a lawless life because of His grace?  Paul has already answered that in our study of Romans.  May it never be!  Can we who have died to sin still live and habitually participate in it?  Of course not.  Our love for our Lord causes us to desire and strive to walk in ways that are pleasing to Him.

6.  What does Moses teach that those who believe their righteousness comes by the law must do to attain to that righteousness? vs. 5 -

What do we learn in the book of James about the consequence of breaking even one of those law?

• James 2:10 -

What have we already learned about every man who tries to attain to the glory (righteousness) of God?

• Romans 3:23 -

Note: Paul goes on in Chapter 10 of Romans to explain clearly how a person becomes a born again believer and stands before God justified in His grace.  These are verses you should always share when presenting the Gospel to a lost person.

7.  What is the first ingredient that is necessary for faith in Christ to birth in a person? vs. 8 -

Once they have heard the Gospel preached to them, they have heard the Word of God.

8.  In order to become righteous, what must a person believe in their heart when they hear the Words of God presented to them about the Gospel (death, burial, resurrection of Jesus the Christ)? vs. 9b -

9.  Upon believing this in their heart, what must a person do for it to result in salvation? vs. 9a -

"For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."  Romans 10:10

• According to this Scripture, is there such a thing as a private or a closet Christian that never tells another of their faith in Him?     

10. What does it mean for a person to confess Jesus as Lord in this context for salvation?  

Note: In view of the fact that "Lord" (Greek kyrios) is used over 6000 times in the Greek translation of the Old Testament in place of the Jewish form of God "Yaweh" ..it is clear that Paul intends for the Romans to believe and confess Jesus as God Himself.  One must believe that Jesus is diety.

What did Jesus tell the religious Jewish leaders of His day?

• John 8:23-24 -
• John 8:56-58 -

Note:   In Biblical terms, the heart is not merely the seat of the emotions and affections, but also of the intellect and will.  To truly believe and confess Jesus as Lord would be to idenify one's life with His life and to adhere to His teachings and live in light of all that He taught, believing Him to have the authority in your life as God Himself.

• Based on this understanding, have you believed in your heart and confessed with your mouth Jesus as Lord ? 
• Have you known people that say they have but they do not adhere to His teachings or live their life in union with who He is as God and their master as well? 

Like those of Israel that had a zeal but without the proper knowledge of God's righteousness, let us not be guilty of believing in error the truths of salvation.

11. Does God make a distinction between the Jews and the Greeks in respect to salvation? 

Who is salvation offered to and what are the results? vs. 11 - 13 -

12. Paul also uses Old Testament scripture to defend his missionary zeal (14-15).

Complete the logical steps Paul develops in these two verses.

• How can they call upon the Lord if they haven’t _____________________ (14)?
• How can they believe unless they have_____________________________(14)?
• How can they hear unless someone ____________________________ to them (14)?
• How can they preach unless someone __________________________________ (15)?

"How beautiful feet of those who bring good news!"

13. List at least two changes you desire to take place in your life because of these verses:

• 1)
• 2)

14.  Even when our feet are beautiful and we share the Gospel with those we come in contact with whether friend or stranger or family member ... will everyone believe it?  vs. 16 -

• Will they have an excuse before God if beautiful feet have at least shared it with them?  No, they won't. 

Does Israel have an excuse?  Was Christ preached to them?  As we have learned in this lesson, according to Jesus all the Scriptures from the Psalms, the Prophets, and the Law (Moses) pointed to Him.  If they had faith in God's Word, they had faith in God's provision of eternal life, the Lord Jesus Christ.

15. Paul quotes Psalm 19 to explain how they have heard the Word as well.  Write the verses out below:

• Psalm 19:1-2 -

How does this compare to what we saw in Romans Chapter 1 for all the people in the world?

• Romans 1:18-21 -

Back to Romans 10:

16. Where does faith come from? vs. 17 -

• Are you building faith into your life through the hearing of God's Word through reading, meditation, and listening to it preached? 
• What are ways you can increase your faith even more?

17.  God states that He was found by those who did not ask for Him (the Gentile nations). 

• In regard to Israel as a nation, what does He say about them? vs. 20-21 -

In Chapter 11, Paul will finish explaining the future role of Israel and how a remnant will be saved and how God has not rejected His people.  Amen.

Apply Today:

Where does faith come from?  How is a person made righteous?  How is a person saved?  What is our responsibility in praying for the lost?  In sharing with the lost?  Who will you begin to pray for today? Who is the Spirit prompting you to share the Gospel of Jesus with? How are you building your faith daily? What part does the Word have in your day each day?

Your summary and prayer today:

Written by Brenda LeMoine for Heart & Home Bible Fellowship© with permission to use on RTB sites only. For personal or ministry related use, please email Brenda for permission and conditions.