Introduction: This is our second meeting for the Winter Semester of the Men’s “Called” Growth Group. Anyone is welcome to attend, and you do not have to have attended a previous meeting to join this week. We will meet at 7:00pm and will continue meeting EVERY Wednesday night, through the end of February (Feb. 28 th , 2024).
Called Men’s Group is conducting a Bible study of the Book of Romans, using the SOAP method of Bible study, which is a systematic method of studying the Bible. “SOAP” stands for: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer (and I have added Questions). This method of Bible study helps us to look deeper into Scripture and find more than if we just simply read the Bible.
1 Christians have long used the book of Romans to understand the steps of salvation. The five verses below are often referred as to The Romans Road to Salvation:
1. PROBLEM: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (3:23)
2. CONSEQUENCE: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (6:23)
3. SOLUTION: But God Proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (5:8)
4. RESPONSE: If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (10:9)
5. ASSURANCE: For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (10:13)
( 1 Commentary copied from the He Reads Truth Bible; Holman Bible Publishers, CSB, page -1964.)
Scripture: Read - Romans Chapters 3:1 – 4:25
Observation: Identify/Discuss Among the Group
What was the context? What was going on at the time this was written?
What and where is this happening?
What makes what was happening meaningful?
Is there anything special about the location (or locations)?
Who is involved?
How do they respond to God?
What character traits do you notice about them?
What is the significance of their involvement?
What do you think is the key message?
Did anything stand out, or something that surprised you? What was it?
Were there any repetitive words or themes that stood out to you? What were they?
Application & Questions: Identify/Discuss Among the Group
How should we apply the message to our lives?
Was there anything in the scripture that indicates how we should change our current behavior or actions?
What does the scripture show/indicate to you about people (both believers and non-believers)?
Was there anything in the chapters that left you with more questions?
If yes, research your questions/discuss with the group.
Was there anything in the passage that jumped out to you?
What do you think the overall message was?
Biggest takeaway?
Prayer: Meditate and pray for the Lord to show you how to use and apply the scriptures to your life.
Read: Romans Chapters 5:1 – 6:26
Is there anything that stands out when reading this passage? Be ready to discuss it at the next meeting.
Checkout: Simple “Romans Road” to salvation from BibleTruths.org
References/Acknowledgements:
1. He Reads Truth Bible; Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, copyright 2019, Christian Standard Bible. https://hereadstruthbible.csbible.com/