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Winter 2023-24: Studies in Romans
Throughout history, many have concluded that Romans is the most profound document ever written.
Perhaps more than any other book of the Bible, Romans has been the instrument God has used to save the souls and shape the minds of Christianity's towering giants -- individuals such as Augustine, Martin Luther, John Calvin, and John Wesley.
This letter has been rightly called "The Christian's Constitution." If anyone wants an exacting presentation of the key truths of the Christian faith, there is no better book to consult than Romans.
The Book of Romans has a logical and specific sequence in thought. It starts with the fact of sin, follows that up with the good news of salvation, moves to teaching on sanctification, delves into the issue of divine sovereignty, and closes with guidelines for Christian service.
Its major message is the revelation of God's righteousness to sinners and imparting that righteousness to those who experience faith in Jesus Christ. The writer, Paul, introduced this grand theme by the words, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (1:16).
The biblical truths of Romans are not all in the pleasant category. Some are ugly and grim. Others are beautiful and majestic. But they are truths that we need to hear and face in the 21st century!
November 26, 2023: Praising the Living God
FOCUS TEXT: Psalm 145:3-21
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Psalms 111:1-10; 113:1-9; 148:1-14
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 146:1-10
KEY VERSE: Praise ye the LORD: for it is good to sing praises unto our God; for it is pleasant; and praise is comely (Psalm 147:1).
CENTRAL TRUTH: Praise to God is the highest expression of redeemed man.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list new ways they will praise God in their lives.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Praise the Greatness of God (Psalm 145:1-6)
II. Praise the Goodness of God (Psalm 145:7-10)
III. Praise the Government of God (Psalm 145:11-13)
IV. Praise the Grace of God (Psalm 145:14-21)
November 19, 2023: A Sure Guide for Living
FOCUS TEXT: Psalm 119:1-5, 9-11, 17-24
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Psalm 119:1-176; 2 Timothy 3:15-17; Hebrews 4:12
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 119:9-16
KEY VERSE: Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105).
CENTRAL TRUTH: God's Word is the supreme guide for life.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list three reasons why the Word of God is a safe and sure guide.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. Blessed by the Word (Psalm 119:1-5)
II. Guarded by the Word (Psalm 119:9-11)
III. Counseled by the Word (Psalm 119:17-24)
November 9, 2023: Help for God’s People
Read Psalm 107:33-43.
“He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly;
and suffereth not their cattle to decrease” (v. 38).
God never forsakes the righteous. They may appear to be neglected, abused, and mistreated, but God never allows more oppression than His people can handle with His help. When God’s people walk closely to Him, He may allow Satan to test them to prove their commitment to God.
Take Job, for example. He lost all his possessions, his political position, his children, his health, and finally, the support of his wife. Through all that, Job stayed true to God, and when his trial was over, God doubled his possessions and the size of his family. God stayed with Job while he was enduring his “friends” and misfortune and was right there when it was over. God is always right there by our side if we are serving Him. (Harold Carpenter)
“O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last and our eternal home.”
--– Isaac Watts
Never fear; God is here.
November 12: 2023: The Goodness of God
FOCUS TEXT: Psalm 91:1-16
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURES: Psalm 31:20; Proverbs 18:10; I Peter 5:7
DEVOTIONAL READING: Psalm 124:1-8
KEY VERSE: I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust (Psalm 91:2).
CENTRAL TRUTH: The Lord protects those who trust in Him.
OBJECTIVE: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to explain how to reconcile God's promise of help with the occurrence of difficulties in life.
LESSON OUTLINE:
I. The Lord Is Our Helper (Psalm 91:1-4)
II. The Deliverance From Fear (Psalm 91:5-8)
III. The Protection From Evil (Psalm 91:9-16)
November 2, 2023: The Need for God’s Help
Read Psalm 124;1-5.
“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, . . .” (v. 1)..
“If it hadn’t been for . . .” We hear that phrase, and our ears perk up. Will we hear something good or something bad? Did someone make a wrong decision that ruined another person’s day? Did someone arrive in the nick of time to stave off trouble?
David points out several bad things that would have happened in this psalm “if it had not been the LORD who was on our side.” If it had been someone else siding with them, wicked men would have swallowed up the children of Israel; waters would have overwhelmed them, and they would have been ensnared. But the Lord WAS with them!
How many times can we look back and say things like: If it had not been for the prayers of the church . . . . If it had not been for the timely sermon from our pastor . . . . If it had not been for my parents’ wise advice . . . . If it had not been for that doctor who “happened to be in the emergency room . . . .”
We do not believe in chance or luck or simple coincidence. We believe that God is on our side, and we know that we need His help each day. What might happen to us if He weren’t nearby? (Steven Hight))
Whether for physical or spiritual protection, God is near!