This last fall we studied Nehemiah which tells a story. Romans is about doctrine. The theme of Romans is the
righteousness of God. In the world we live in today, it is sometimes difficult to see how God is working, how his righteousness is winning. The coronavirus, the global tumult, our nation's divisive attitudes, the rise of crime, all of these can contribute to fear, doubt, and unrest.
This can lead us to question the power of God and the plan of God. Romans addresses these thoughts head-on. God does not want us to despair but to prepare. Where Nehemiah taught us how to rebuild our faith, church, and nation, Romans addresses our heart and our faith walk. If this 16-chapter letter to the Romans can change the heart of our historical giants of faith, then it can change our hearts too. If Romans can be the catalyst for a faith awakening like it was in England, then it can do it again in our world today.
So, let’s go deep, hold on tight, buckle your seat belts and be ready to be transformed by the “renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2) as we journey through Romans together.
Introduction to Romans
January 13, 2022 • Meg Rice
Romans Lesson 11
March 31, 2022 • Meg Rice
We are coming to the end of Paul’s letter to the Romans. Paul has put forth remarkable insight into the power of God and our weakness as human beings. Chapters 14 and 15 are a continuation of what kingdom living looks like. This section began with Paul’s declaration in Romans 12:1 "Therefore, I urge you brothers in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship."
Romans Lesson 10
March 24, 2022 • Meg Rice
Chapter 12 begins with the word "Therefore", so we need to see what it is "there for". In chapters 1-8, Paul gave us his beliefs about doctrine. In other words, he told us what we need to believe, or our right thinking about God and man. God has wrath against the sinfulness of man, BUT he has provided a way to be saved through his grace and that way is faith in Jesus as His Son. Chapters 9-11 are about the Jewish nation and God’s sovereignty. Because of God’s mercy and sovereignty, we move into the practical application of what righteous living looks like in chapters 12-16.
Romans Lesson 9
March 17, 2022 • Meg Rice
Romans 11 is the final connecting of the dots between Christianity and Judaism. To me, this chapter is one of the most intriguing in this letter. In chapters 9 and 10, Paul has been making logical Old Testament supported arguments in hopes to lead his Jewish brothers to accept Jesus as the Messiah. Yet he realizes that as a nation, Israel is refusing the offer of righteousness through faith in Jesus.