Chapter One
Study 1
The Gospel Truth
Romans 1:1-17
In recognition of your excellent performance, we'd like to give you a
promotion and a raise."
"The biopsy was negative."
"Congratulations! You're the parents of a healthy baby boy."
"Your test scores were the best in the whole class."
"The war is over."
Good news seems to be in short supply these days. Perhaps that is
why, when we hear some, it is so welcome and uplifting.
The book of Romans begins with the announcement of the best
news of all: the "gospel," God's good news.
1. Describe briefly a recent instance of good news in your life.
How did you react?
2. Read Romans 1:1. If gospel literally means "good news,"
what does verse 1 suggest about the message Paul is going
to deliver?
3. Apostle means "one sent with a message." Christians in
Rome would also have understood it to mean a person with
the authority to speak for God and to give leadership to the
church. How does Paul's introduction of himself in verse 1
prepare readers for the gospel?
4. In his brief summary of the gospel (vv. 2-5), what are the
important points about this good news that Paul chooses to
include?
5. According to verse 5, does obedience produce faith, or does
faith produce obedience? What difference does this distinction
make?
6. How do you think the Romans' calling is similar to Paul's (v.
6)?
What difference does it make that God's calling includes
you?
How does knowing that God has a special assignment for
you affect your goals, your priorities, your values, and your
lifestyle?
7. Based on verses 8-13, how would you describe Paul's attitude
toward the Roman Christians?
8. What "spiritual gift" can one Christian give to another (v.
11)?
9. Why would Paul, a well-educated Jew, describe his mission
the way he does in verses 14-15?
Why might he feel obligated to emphasize this point?
10. What about his situation might tempt Paul to be "ashamed"
of the gospel (v. 16)?
Why does he emphasize its power for everyone?
11. What tempts you to be less than eager to tell others about
the gospel?
12. What evidences have you seen that the gospel is "the power"
of God?
13. The word salvation has two aspects: (a) spiritual wholeness
and healing in this life, and (b) eternity with God in the life
to come. Which aspect has been more important to you
recently?
14. Where does righteousness come from, according to verse
17?
How is this different from a person "trying to be good
enough" for God?
15. Elsewhere in the Bible, faith is defined as "believing that
God exists, and that he rewards those who earnestly seek
him" (Hebrews 11:6). How does that kind of faith affect the
way you face the events in your life this week?
Memory Verse
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of
God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the
Jew, then for the Gentile.
-Romans 1:16
Between Studies
Write a brief letter to an imaginary or real friend that explains why
you are a Christian and why you would like that person to be a Christian,
too.
(Continues.)
