Week 36: The Letter to Rome (Part 2)

Opening

Read Romans 8:31-39 aloud together. Allow a moment of silence before beginning discussion.

Review Questions

1. Romans 5 – Grace Abounds: Paul says grace does not merely match sin but “superabounds” (5:20). What does this mean practically? How does the Adam-Christ parallel in 5:12-21 reshape the way we understand both the human problem and God’s solution?

2. Romans 6 – Dead to Sin: Paul says believers should “count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God” (6:11). What does it mean to reckon as true something you cannot always see or feel? How does the baptismal imagery help us understand our union with Christ?

3. Romans 7 – The Inner Struggle: The identity of the “I” in Romans 7:14-25 has been debated for centuries. Share where you land on this question. Does this passage describe the unregenerate person, the mature believer, or the universal human condition apart from the Spirit? What difference does the interpretation make for daily life?

4. Romans 8 – Nothing Can Separate Us: Romans 8 moves from “no condemnation” to “no separation.” Which specific verse or idea in this chapter has meant the most to you personally, and why? How does the theme of the Spirit’s work in this chapter answer the struggle of chapter 7?

5. Romans 9 – God’s Sovereign Choice: Paul expresses willingness to be cursed for the sake of his kinsmen (9:3). What does this reveal about his character? How do you hold together divine sovereignty (the potter and the clay) and human responsibility (Israel stumbled because they pursued works, not faith)?

Going Deeper

1. The Adam-Christ Typology: In 5:12-21, Paul presents Adam and Christ as two representative heads of humanity. How does this framework differ from an individualistic view of sin and salvation? What are the implications for how we think about community, solidarity, and the corporate nature of redemption?

2. Slavery and Freedom: In Romans 6, Paul argues that everyone is a slave – either to sin or to righteousness. In a culture that prizes personal autonomy, how does this teaching challenge our assumptions? What does it mean that true freedom is found in willing service to Christ?

3. The Role of the Law: Paul says the law is “holy, righteous and good” (7:12) yet unable to save. How should Christians relate to the Old Testament law today? What is the law’s proper function in the life of a believer?

4. Suffering and Glory: Paul says present sufferings “are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us” (8:18). How do you hold this perspective when suffering is intense and prolonged? How does the groaning of creation (8:19-22) expand our understanding of the gospel’s scope?

5. Election and Pastoral Care: Romans 9 raises profound questions about God’s sovereignty. How should the doctrine of election affect the way we pray, evangelize, and care for those who have not yet believed? Does it undermine or strengthen our motivation for mission?

Application

• This week’s challenge: Memorize Romans 8:38-39. Each day, when anxiety, fear, or discouragement whispers that you are separated from God’s love, recite these verses aloud as your declaration of faith.

• Relational step: Is there someone in your life – a family member, friend, or colleague – for whom you carry the kind of anguish Paul expresses in Romans 9:1-3? Commit to praying for that person daily this week, asking God to open their heart to the gospel.

• Reflective practice: Spend time this week with Romans 8:26-27, the passage about the Spirit’s intercession. When you do not know how to pray, sit quietly and trust that the Spirit is praying within you with groanings too deep for words.

Prayer Focus

Pray for one another in the areas where Romans 5-9 has spoken most directly: assurance of peace with God, victory over habitual sin, clarity about the law’s role, confidence in the Spirit’s work, and trust in God’s sovereign purposes. Close by praying together the words of Romans 8:38-39.