Study Guide
Romans Part 4
"The Free Gift for a Guilty World"
Have you ever been stuck in a situation where you needed rescue? The truth is, we are all captives and needing rescue and redemption. Listen in as Pastor Markus Witherspoon, from our Tierrasanta campus, leads us to see how we are redeemed by the cross of Christ.
In this message you will be challenged and encouraged to:
- Consider what or who we truly place our faith in
- See the scope of how much God has forgiven us in Christ
Newbreak’s Sermon Study Guide is an in-house resource that serves sermon-based Life Groups and/or individuals who want to reflect further on how the message contributes to their spiritual formation.
Icebreakers for Life Groups
- What’s the best gift you’ve ever received, and why was it so meaningful to you?
- When did you first start attending church or exploring your faith? What led you to that decision?
Read Romans 3:1-20 (CSB)
Bad News: No one is “good enough” to be right with God on their own.
Paul continues his courtroom presentation in this passage and desires that all would gain a simple understanding that we are all in need of the work of Christ in our lives. Paul would essentially ask, “What advantage do we have if we know God’s Word, are born amongst God’s people, and still miss the mark when it comes to the glorious standard of God?” (see Romans 3:1-3).
He makes this point even more clear in Romans 3:9-18 when he says that no one is deemed righteous in God’s eyes. In this section, Paul quotes from a few Old Testament books (Psalms, Isaiah, and Ecclesiastes) to prove this point. Isaiah emphasized this point further in Isaiah 64:6, stating that our good deeds are regarded as "filthy rags" in the sight of a holy and pure God.
To summarize: the bad news is that we are lacking in the area of righteousness and we are incapable of producing the righteousness of God. We are left in a place of spiritual poverty and need divine intervention. This passage sets us up for the best news ever, which Paul will elucidate on in the rest of Romans 3.
Discussion Questions
- In verses 3-4, Paul addresses the issue of our unfaithfulness. Where have you seen God’s faithfulness in Scripture when the people were unfaithful? How have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life even in times when you have not been faithful to Him?
- Reread Romans 3:11. What does it mean to you when Paul says, “no one seeks God?” Have you ever found yourself refusing to seek God? What did you do to turn your heart back toward Him?
- How does this passage affect the way that you trust God and approach God in prayer?
Read Romans 3:21-31 (CSB)
God makes us right with Him through faith in Christ.
Paul changes everything with a three-letter word that we often miss if we read it too quickly, in verse 21, the word “but.” We have been studying as a church over the last few weeks about how far we have been from attaining righteousness ourselves. Paul couldn’t put it any more clearly as he did in Romans 3:23, “all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Thankfully, Paul does not leave us in the painful mess of our sin, he shows us the way out. Our way out is not based on something we do, but on someone we believe in.
Romans 3:21-31 highlights the core message of the gospel: righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. This is why Paul belabored this reality in the first few chapters because he wanted everyone to understand where we started from. All of us started from the same place, and we were all hopeless if it were not for the goodness and grace of God found in Jesus Christ. This gift of righteousness is not something we work for, or boast in (vs.27), it is a gift that is offered freely by God and received through faith in Jesus.
Discussion Questions
- Reread Romans 3:23. How does this Biblical truth affect how we view and understand humanity?
- How does placing our faith in Jesus exclude us from boasting in ourselves? (vv. 27-28) What are some areas in your life where you find yourself still boasting about your accomplishments and/or your spiritual growth?
- When did you begin your journey toward Christ? Share with the group about how the journey began and where you are at today. If you have given your life to Christ, share about the moment when you put your faith in Jesus.
- How does this passage deepen your understanding of the beauty of the gospel message?
When in Romans
In the middle of the first century, in the heart of the Roman empire was a group of house churches that believed that Jesus of Nazareth, crucified and risen from the dead, was the true Lord of the world! The Romans had to be some of the bravest, most tested Christ-followers as they were heavily persecuted by the rulers of the day. Therefore, Paul writes a letter to them, expressing what he wishes he could say in person to them. The contents of this letter are so revolutionary that for 2,000 years churches all around the globe read it, reflect on it, and apply these truths to their lives. Join us as we venture through Romans and see how the gospel's message gives us a new identity and a new way to live!