Overview: This week’s readings also include some very familiar passages. Romans 8 is where Paul makes a great effort to explain what the Holy Spirit cane so for us. Romans 8:28 is one of the most often quoted verses in the New Testament.
Chapters 9-11 are a basically a special message from Paul to the Jews of his time. Obviously not all of the Jews believed that Jesus was the Messiah and Paul felt a particular burden in trying to convince them.
Chapter 12 tells a lot about how to live for God. Verses 1-2 and 9-13 are common memory verses. Notice what Paul says about getting even with people who do us wrong.
Day 1 – Romans 8
1. Why do we often feel condemnation, not freedom, in our lives?
2. Why is it hard sometimes to think of God as our father?
3. How is hope in Christ different from other things we hope in?
Day 2 – Romans 9
1. For what is Paul pained?
2. Do you know the meaning of the word “anathema”? To what does it refer?
3. When Paul speaks of “Israel,” does he have spiritual or national Israel in mind? What makes you think so?
Day 3 – Romans 10
1. “Christ is the end of the law.” What law? In what sense is He “the end”?
2. What point do you think Paul is trying to make in verses 6 and 7?
3. What does verse 13 mean? How does one “call on the name of the Lord”?
Day 4 – Romans 11
1. In what sense can we say that God has NOT cast off his people?
2. Explain how the “grafting” illustration exactly fits the argument Paul is making.
3. Can we completely understand God’s ways?
Day 5 – Romans 12
1. Our bodies are to be a “living sacrifice.” Explain in your own words how this relates to your body.
2. Are the gifts of 12:6-8 the same as those of 1 Corinthians 12:4-11?
3. How do you understand the phrase “heap coals of fire on his head”?