Radiant Groups Study Resources

Radiant Groups Study Resources

Fall Semester 2025

We are excited for another season of Radiant Groups! This year for small groups, we will be doing a sermon-based study on the book of Romans. Sermon-based small groups feature a combination of personal study, learning from Sunday’s sermon and discussion during small group time.

The gospel and the glory of God are the focus of His church. The book of Romans details the plan, purpose, priority and the power of the gospel. As followers of Christ, the gospel shapes all aspects of our lives. We look forward to unpacking this powerful book of Scripture together this year.

Book of Romans Study Questions

  • Romans 1:1–7
    1. When introducing himself to the church at Rome, Paul referred to himself as a “servant (doulos) of Christ Jesus”. This word means ‘bond slave’. What does this teach us about our identity as believers?
    2. What do you think it means to be “set apart for the gospel of God”?
    3. Romans 1:2 says the gospel was “promised beforehand through His prophets”. Where do you see the gospel most clearly displayed in the Old Testament?
    4. Romans 1:3 emphasizes that Jesus was of the lineage of David. Why is this important?
    5. What role does each member of the Trinity play in promoting the gospel and presenting Jesus as the Messiah? How did each one do this?
    6. In verse 5, we see that Paul’s mission was “to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations”. How does this challenge you in your role in the gospel mission?
    7. This passage says we belong to Christ, are loved by God and are called to be saints. How does this help us view ourselves rightly? Do you struggle to see yourself this way?
  • Romans 1:8–17
    1. In Romans 1:8, Paul expresses genuine gratitude for the people he is writing to. Who are you genuinely grateful for? Why? How can you thank God for them and express your gratitude to them this week?
    2. What do you think Paul means in verse 9 when he says, “I serve (God) with my spirit”?
    3. Paul prayed hard for an opportunity to go see the believers in Rome so he could minister to them, but he was never able to. Have you ever prayed for something good that God said “no” to? How have you handled that?
    4. Has there been a season of your life where you have been eager to preach the gospel? How can that be rekindled in your life?
    5. How would you define “the gospel”?
    6. How have you seen the power of the gospel on display in you and around you?
  • Romans 1:18–32
    1. How does the wrath of God against unrighteousness reveal the holiness of God?
    2. How does the unrighteousness of men suppress the truth? Where have you seen this the most clearly?
    3. Verse 20 states that men are “without excuse” before God. What is the significance of this reality?
    4. From these verses it is clear that God does not desire to remain hidden, but He has chosen to reveal Himself to all men throughout every generation. Where have you seen God most clearly revealed in your life?
    5. Romans 1:21 says unbelievers knew God but did not honor Him or give thanks as they should. Has this been true of you at some point in your life as a believer? How can you guard against this now?
    6. In verse 23, it says they “exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images”. Is there any place in your life where you have done the same? What images or idols are you most susceptible to worshiping? How can “the glory of God” remain present in your life?
    7. While reading these verses it could be easy to point at unbelievers with a judgmental spirit and affirm that they deserve all that they receive of God’s wrath. How can you remain tender-hearted toward those without Christ and cultivate a heart of compassion toward the lost?
  • Romans 2:1–11
    1. Have you ever felt judged by other believers? Are there people in your life who you are quick to judge? Take a moment to confess this and pray for God’s help in this area.
    2. Do you “presume on the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience”?
    3. What can you do right now to express gratitude for God’s grace and kindness in your life?
    4. How do the warnings of these verses challenge you to love and practice truth?
  • Romans 1:16–17 (All Together Sunday)
    1. Paul says he is “not ashamed of the gospel”. It seems like an unnecessary thing to have to say, especially for an apostle of Christ. According to what is happening in Romans, why do you think it was necessary for him to state this?
    2. How is “the power of God for salvation” on display in the gospel? How is this gospel power still at work within you?
    3. How does the gospel reveal the righteousness of God?
    4. Where in the Bible have we seen the statement, “the righteous shall live by faith” before? What was the context for it being stated then? How can we apply this command to our lives today?
  • Romans 2:12–29
    1. It is often stated that ignorance of the law does not excuse someone for breaking the law. How is that principle seen in verse 12?
    2. Compare verse 13 with James 1:22. What is the danger of being a hearer only? How can we hold ourselves accountable to this principle?
    3. What do you think it means in verse 16 when Paul writes, “On that day… God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus”? How should this affect our thoughts and actions?
    4. Verses 17–27 deal with the hypocrisy of holding others to a different standard than we are willing to submit to ourselves. Do you struggle with this same issue? Where have you been more critical of others than you are willing to be with yourself? Read Matthew 7:3–5 and meditate on it.
    5. In verse 29, Paul says that “a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter.” What do you believe Paul is trying to teach us here?
  • Romans 3:1–20
    1. The Jewish people were “entrusted with the oracles of God”. How do you see this as significant? What have we as believers been entrusted with?
    2. Verse 10 clearly states that no one is without sin and no one is righteous on their own. What sin do you personally struggle with the most? How often do you allow the reality of your sinfulness to affect you? Does this lead you to repentance and worship or to doubt and regret?
    3. From verse 10 to verse 17, Paul points back to Psalm 14 and Isaiah 53. Look back at these passages and see how they connect to these verses.
    4. How does no longer being “under the law” allow us to live differently than believers who were under the law?
  • Romans 3:21–31
    1. How do the “Law and the Prophets bear witness to” the righteousness of God?
    2. In verse 23, sin is described as “fall(ing) short of the glory of God”. How would you define sin? What does “falling short of the glory of God” mean to you?
    3. “Justified” and “propitiation” are a couple of very important words used in verse 24 and verse 25. What do these words mean? What is their significance in the life of a believer?
    4. Verse 27 declares that there is now no room for boasting for believers. According to this passage, why is our boasting pointless?
    5. In Romans, Paul repeatedly asks if we should just throw away the law now that grace has come. Does the law still have use in the life of a New Testament believer?
  • Romans 4:1–25
    1. Paul discusses Abraham being justified by faith versus being justified by works. Read James 2:14–26 and compare the truths that we see in both of these passages.
    2. The word “blessed” can be translated to mean “oh how very happy”. How can forgiveness and the removal of guilt make someone experience abundant happiness or joy? How have you experienced this type of joy?
    3. What does it mean to “walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised”?
    4. Verse 16 says that the promise of salvation rests on grace. How do verses 14–15 teach us this truth?
    5. Verse 17 reminds us that Abraham would be “the father of many nations”. This was first told to Abraham in Genesis 17:1–8. How does the gospel make this promise a reality?
    6. How do faith and the gospel “give(s) life to the dead and call(s) into existence the things that do not exist”?
    7. Abraham “did not weaken in faith” even though the promise from God seemed impossible. What has God promised you that you are tempted to quit believing because of lack of faith? How can you remain strong and endure to the end to see God’s plan fulfilled in your life?
    8. Are you “fully convinced that God was (is) able to do what he had (has) promised”?
  • Romans 5:1–11
    1. What is the difference between having peace WITH God versus having the peace OF God? Why is having both important in our lives?
    2. What is the significance of being able to have access to God and being able to stand before Him?
    3. What does it mean to rejoice in suffering? Who have you seen model this? How have you experienced this in your own life?
    4. How does suffering produce endurance?
    5. Verse 10 tells us that we were enemies of God. Do you struggle to remember that you were once against God and separated from Him? How can remembering that stir up gratitude in our hearts for the grace that we have been given?
  • Romans 5:12–21
    1. How do these verses draw a similarity between Adam and Jesus? What is the significance of this truth?
    2. From verse 13, how can we know that sin was present before the law was given? How does the law (God’s Word) allow us to ”count” sin or see our sin clearly?
    3. From verse 19, what does it mean to be made righteous? What is the significance of this for us? How should this cause us to view ourselves before God?
    4. How does the truth in verse 20 stir up gratitude and worship within you? 
  • Romans 6:1–14
    1. Although we have “died to sin”, we still live in the flesh and struggle against sin daily. Where or how do you see this reality in your life?
    2. According to verses 3–8, what does it mean to be “baptized into Christ”? What is the significance of us celebrating baptism together as a church family during worship services?
    3. Read verses 6–8 again. Compare them with Galatians 2:20. How can we experience the power and freedom of walking in the newness of life? 
    4. How do you consistently live out the command of not letting sin “reign in your mortal body”?
    5. How do you actively “present yourselves to God” and “your members to God as instruments for righteousness”?

Study Questions PDF

To access all of the study questions for the book of Romans on a downloadable PDF document, click below.

Romans 1 to 2:1–11 Study Questions PDF Romans 2:12–29 to 3:21–31 Study Questions PDF Romans 4:1–25 to 6:1–14 Study Questions PDF

Be Present

As much as possible, make Sunday worship and small group a top priority. If you miss a Sunday, be sure you watch or listen to the sermon. If there is a week that you cannot attend small group, be sure you let your leader know in advance.

Dig In

As you gather around God’s Word, come prepared and be ready to participate. Use the Radiant Groups Study Guide to take notes on the passage, answer the weekly discussion questions and write down sermon notes. If you tend to be quiet, try to speak up and contribute during each group discussion time. If you are more of a talker, allow others the opportunity to share and participate in the group.

Pray

Who is someone in your sphere of influence who doesn’t know Jesus? Pray for Gospel opportunities and ask God to bring new people into your life and help you point others to Jesus this year.