Introduction:
This is our fifth meeting for the Winter Semester of the Men’s “Called” Growth Group. Anyone is welcome to join, and you do not have to have attended a previous meeting to join this week. We meet at 7:00 pm 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, a letter written by the apostle Paul to the Roman churches. Paul’s letter focuses on the doctrine of salvation, which is given to believers through Jesus Christ.
Paul’s purpose in writing the letter was to share spiritual strength and provide encouragement to the believers in Rome. Now Paul’s letter shares spiritual strength and gives encouragement to us all.
How can a person get into Heaven? – Eric Johnson: 1
Except for Christianity, all religions teach that there are certain works we must do to get into heaven. Muslims are obligated to follow the Five Pillars of Faith; Mormons must get married in one of their church’s temples. Buddhists meditate, while Jehovah’s Witness share their faith door to door. In effect, followers of these and other religions ask, “what must I do for my salvation?” The Christian asks a much different question: “What did God do for my salvation?”
The idea that salvation is a gift that comes by grace through faith and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9) is so radical that many religious people cannot accept it. We can sum up the Christian teaching in ten words:
God loves. A favorite verse of many Christians is John 3:16, which begins with “For God so loved the world.” God’s love is the motivating factor in how He deals with humanity.
Humans sinned. The Bible says that Adam and Eve introduced sin into the world by rebelling against God’s will (Romans 5:12-18). As a consequence, “death spread to all men, because all sinned” (Romans 5:12)
Jesus died. Jesus Christ came to this world with one purpose: to die in our place and be raised back to life again. Romans 5:8 says, “But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners Christ died for us!”
We believe. “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. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation” (Romans 10:9-10)
God Forgives. When we enter relationship with God through faith, our sins are washed away. Isaiah 1:18 says, “Through your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow.” This cleansing comes through the blood of Jesus, which brings “forgiveness of our trespasses” (Ephesians 1:7)
We cannot be saved by our works, for salvation is not like earning a paycheck, and our debt is too great to pay off by our efforts. As Romans 4:6 puts it, “God credits righteousness…apart from works.” Imagine a grandfather who told his young grandson that he was depositing “10” into the bank under the boy’s name. The boy didn’t think anything of it until he decided to withdraw his money. Imagine his shock when the teller gave him the requested $10 and then said his remaining balance was $9,999,990! He thought he had just ten measly dollars in the account, but the grandfather had actually sacrificed everything to give him $10 million. Would the boy tell the teller that he’d earned that money? Of course not! The money was given as a gift, not a payment.
Jesus’ sacrifice allows us to enjoy eternal benefits. It’s ours for the asking. Just confess your sins and your need for salvation, and then invite Jesus to be your Savior. If you haven’t already done this, today is the day! Tell your pastor or Christian friend – they would love to help you.
( 1 Commentary copied from the Apologetics Study Bible for Students; Holman Bible Publishers, page 1206.)
Scripture:
Read - Romans Chapters 9:1 – 10:21
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 11:1 – 12:21
Is there anything that stands out when reading this passage? Be ready to discuss it at the next meeting.
References/Acknowledgements:
Apologetics Study Bible for Students; Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, copyright 2009, Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB, now known as the Christian Standard Bible - CSB). https://csbible.com/bible-search-tool/bibles/9781433651151/