Romans Sermon Series Resources

Book of Romans

Study Questions

Below are questions that our Radiant Groups are using as they follow along with the sermon on Sunday mornings and study the book of Romans together in their groups.

• 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?