Scripture Reading: Romans 5:1-21

Introduction:

Rejoicing in the Lord is something that we all wish that we did more of, but generally, reserve for special occasions. Mostly we are sometimes just too busy to stop and take the time to rejoice. Romans 5 gives us some very special reasons to rejoice in all that we do, to take the time to remember where joy really comes from and to make the effort even when we are suffering some trying times. It is amazing how quickly we can forget the feeling that rejoicing in the Lord provides for us. As we

Scripture Reading: Romans 15:1-13

Introduction:

You deserve the best. Look out for number one. Pamper yourself. These are the watchwords of our age. But in this chapter, Paul urges us to stop gazing at our own reflection. For the first time in Romans, he holds up the example of Christ, the one who embodies all the qualities God desires in us.

The way that Christ acted, the Christ who although He was strong yet for our sakes became weak, is the way that the strong must also act toward those whose own faith is weak. This chapter is devoted to

Scripture Reading: Romans 6:1-14

Introduction:

It seems almost inconceivable to us the concept of dying and then being reborn during our lifetime here on earth. What is so wrong with our mortal bodies that we have to bury it in water? There are many things in life that we have obtained through sweat and tears, and now we are asked to give them up because they interfere with living with Christ. Until we are able to let go of these things, they will always be a stumbling block to our relationship to God. But we just don’t see the

Scripture Reading: Romans 15:14-33

Introduction:

Even though Paul worked with many individuals, his primary focus was to weld them into one body, the church, a new society on earth. His goal was to establish local churches that worked in harmony with its members as well as other local churches. They were all to have a unified goal of following Christ and serving each other.

As mentioned before, the local church was compared to a body with many individual parts, with each part essential to the overall performance of the body. No part was more important than any other, and all

Scripture Reading: Romans 6:15 – Romans 7:6

Introduction:

What does it mean to us to assume a new lifestyle? Do we change houses, our jobs, our friends, our clothes, our plans? Is it just a matter of how we act in Church one day out of the week, or does it affect us every day? For most Christians, the change that comes from baptism is minimal. They may have to act a little nicer to their Christian brethren to reflect their new life in Christ, but for the most part, everything remains the same. The new lifestyle spoken of

Scripture Reading: Romans 16:1-27

Introduction:

Paul spends most of this chapter greeting friends that he had met somewhere other than Rome (he hadn’t been there yet), whom he had followed through discussions with others and knew that they were now residing in Rome. Based upon these greetings, he must have considered them good friends and strong Christians. They all must have worked with Paul in the past and are now being remembered for their efforts

As we grow older, one of the first things that we seem to struggle with remembering, are names of people we have known. The primary

Scripture Reading: Romans 7:7-25

Introduction:

Paul talks about a real dichotomy in life from which we all suffer as Christians. We are tempted almost daily by things that we know are not right, but we don’t always make the right decisions. We know that we don’t need that extra piece of pie, but nevertheless, we may have it anyway. We may watch a movie that is overall very good but has parts in it that may be immoral, contain bad language or imply behavior that is totally inappropriate. We all know what is right from wrong but tend to see

Scripture Reading: Romans 9-16

Introduction:

Now that we have completed the remaining chapters of Romans, it is good to recall what we have discussed and see how it applies to our everyday lives. Paul has taken us from the Jews unbelief and misguided zeal to the future of Israel and its restoration. He then talks primarily to the Gentiles and shows them that they too can have a relationship with God and a home in the Kingdom of God. He talks about the pitfalls and the rewards and our attitude toward both the strong and the weak in Christ. Let

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:1-17

Introduction:

In chapter 7 of Romans, Paul told us that we have an internal struggle with sin, even after we have been freed from the law. We, on our own, will continually struggle against our own flesh to win these battles on a daily basis. Romans chapter 8 begins with a new hope for us in waging this battle. We can only win this battle with the help of the Holy Spirit, which will provide the strength and answers that we need. Paul talks about the life-giving effects of the Spirit. The battle changes from our

Scripture Reading: Romans 8:18-39

Introduction:

Roman conquerors returning from the wars enjoyed the honor of a triumph, a tumultuous parade. In the procession came trumpeters, musicians and strange animals from the captured territories, together with the spoils of war that consisted of both people and material. In Romans chapter 8 Paul describes Christians as glorious conquerors, who by God’s grace overcome all forces arrayed against us. The glory we receive is not in parades or spoils, but in eternal life.

Lesson Questions:

1. Why is it so often difficult for us as Christians to feel like a glorious conqueror? What event