Michael Quattlebaum

1. What did Phoebe do that would cause Paul to ask that the church in Rome give her whatever she needs?
   
   

2. Look at verse 5.  What does this tell us about the structure of the early church?  Is there anything that we could learn from this?
   
   

3. Why does Paul take the time to greet specific people in the church?  (Prisca, Aquila, Epaenetus, Mary, Andronicus, Junias, Ampliatus, Urbanus, Stachys, Apelles, Aristobulus, Herodion, Narcissus, Tryphaena, Tryphosa, Persis, Rufus, Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Mermas, Philologus, Julia, Jereus, Olympas)
   
   

4. Why does Paul tell the church to greet one another with a holy kiss?

5. Explain the warning in verses 17 and 18.  Should we heed this warning today?  How do we recognize people who are teaching for their own gain rather than doing the work of God?
   
   

6. Paul asks us in verse 19 to “be wise in what is good, and innocent in what is evil.”  Explain what this means and how we can do this.
   
   

7. Why does Paul also take the time to send greetings from others with him?  (Timothy, Lucius, Jason, Sosipater, Tertius, Gaius, Erastus, Quartus)
   
   

8. Explain verse 22.  I thought Paul wrote this letter inspired by the Holy Spirit!

   
   

9. Read Paul’s benediction in verses 25-27 carefully.  What is Paul’s prayer and blessing for the church? 

1. Last week we talked about putting our neighbors first, above our own needs. Who is our example for this? In what ways?
   

2. What is one of the reasons given in verse 4 that Scripture was given to us?
   

3. How do the stories of the Old Testament give us hope?
   

4. Why should we as a church strive to be of one voice, and unified in what we believe?
   

5. What was God’s purpose in coming to the Gentiles? How was Paul being used in that purpose?
   

6. As a group of believers, should we be able to teach, admonish each other, and grow spiritually? What enables us to do that?
   

7. List some of the points in the book of Romans that Paul has been bold in writing about.
   

8. Describe Paul’s attitude about his ministry to the Gentiles.
   

9. Why had Paul been prevented from going to Rome? What was his desire concerning Rome?
   

10. What was Paul’s reason for returning to Jerusalem? What was Paul’s “seal” mentioned in verse 28?
    

11. Where was Paul planning to go after going to Jerusalem?
    

12. What did Paul ask for prayer about? Why?

1.       What issue was the church dealing with concerning food and wine?

2.       Explain the analogy of the servant and master in verse 4.

3.       What was the issue in the church concerning days and observances?

4.       Why was the explanation given of Christ being lord over the living and the dead?

5.       Are we accountable to each other?  If so, in what way?  If not, who are we accountable to?

6.       Explain what verse 13 means by “stumbling block.”

7.       Is there anything that we shouldn’t eat or drink?

8.       How important should this issue be to us today?  How do we apply this issue to our lives today?

9.       Should we drink wine?  Should we eat meat?  What should drive our answer to this question?

A church often lives or dies by what it says about itself.  What are you saying about Utica Baptist Church — in what you do, in what you say about your fellow Christians, in how you treat your friends?  Everything you do can be a witness to build up or destroy our church.  Ask yourself what you can do to build up our church, rather than pick it apart.

1.             What does it mean to be “in subjection to the governing authorities?”

2.             Why are we not to resist governing authorities?

3.             What are the consequences of doing so?

4.             Why should we as Christians set the example in subjection to the government?

5.             So how does love fit into this question of subjection?

6.             Explain the meaning of verse 10.  What is the fulfillment of the law?

7.             In regards to our love for one another, how should we conduct ourselves?

8.             Explain the analogy between light and dark in the last 3 verses of this chapter.

9.             What does it mean to “put on the Lord Jesus Christ?”

Spend some time thinking about the needs of our country today.  Think about the people leading our country.  Realize that they are in that position because God allowed them to be.  Pray for our leaders, that they may realize the guidance and direction of the Holy Spirit and lead this country back to God.

1. How should we as Christians view ourselves in light of the rest of society?

2. What does it mean to “present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice”?
   
   
3. In what ways are we transformed as believers?  How do we renew our mind?

4. Explain the analogy between each person as a part of the body of Christ and each part of the human body.

5. What are the gifts of the Spirit?  How can they be used?  How do we know which gifts we have?  For other references about Spiritual Gifts, see Ephesians 4:11-16, 1 Corinthians 12 (also, 1Cor. 13 and 14 expand on chapter 12), and 1 Peter 4:10-11.

6. What is our individual responsibility to the entire body of Christ?  How do we use our Spiritual Gifts once we identify them?

7. Notice the passage that follows the gifts of the Spirit.  What are some characteristics of a Christian as outlined here?   List some ways that we can give preference to one another in honor.
   
   

8. What do verses 19-21 say about how we should treat those who treat us badly?  Our natural response is very different from this.  How can you explain the difference seen here?

9. This chapter begins looking at our relationships (this is continued in the following chapters).  The first 2 verses deal with our relationship to ourselves and God.  Verses 3-8 deal with our relationship to the church and our duties.  The remainder of the chapter deals with our relationship to society.  How do these come together to give us a better idea of what it means to be a Christian?

1.             Explain why Paul establishes himself as a Jew in verse 1.

2.             What is the “remnant?”  Why is Paul comparing these times to those of Elijah?

3.             What does it mean to be “hardened?”  Why were the other Jews hardened?

4.             Why was salvation brought to the Gentiles?

5.             Explain the meaning of verses 15 and 16.

6.             Read the analogy in verses 17-24.  What are the branches?  Who or what is the olive tree?  What does it mean to be broken off?  Who was grafted in?  Explain the warning in verse 24.

7.             What do verses 25-27 say about Israel and their place in the kingdom of God?

8.             What is the ultimate meaning for verses 28-29?

9.             Do verses 30-32 shed some light on what will happen with the Jews?

10.         Having trouble understanding or reasoning through this chapter?  Read verses 33-36 again!

This chapter is a difficult one to understand.  The important part is to realize that we have been given a special place in the kingdom of God.  We will not understand God’s reasoning for everything that he does.  This is clear.  Praise God for his wisdom and knowledge and unending mercy.

Romans 10:16-21   ¹⁶ However, they did not all heed the glad tidings; for Isaiah says, “LORD, who has believed our report?”  ¹⁷ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.  ¹⁸ But I say, surely they have never heard, have they? Indeed they have; “Their voice has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.”  ¹⁹ But I say, surely Israel did not know, did they? At the first Moses says, “I will make you jealous by that which is not a nation, By a nation without understanding will I anger you.”  ²⁰ And Isaiah is very bold and says, “I was found by those who sought Me not, I became manifest to those who did not ask for Me.”  ²¹ But as for Israel He says, “All the day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

Psalm 19:1-9  For the choir director. A Psalm of David. The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.  ² Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge.  ³ There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard.  ⁴ Their line has gone out through all the earth, And their utterances to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun,  ⁵ Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber; It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.  ⁶ Its rising is from one end of the heavens, And its circuit to the other end of them; And there is nothing hidden from its heat.  ⁷ The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.  ⁸ The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.  ⁹ The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.

Romans 1:18-23   For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,  ¹⁹ because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them.  ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.  ²¹ For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God, or give thanks; but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened.  ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools,  ²³ and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.

Responsibility for the Gospel

Declaring the Gospel

Israel is responsible as well

Israel rejected Him

1. Explain the meaning of verse 2.  Apply this meaning to today in light of verses 1-4.

2. What does verse 5 say about legalism and how does it apply to us?

3. According to verses 6-13.  How is someone saved?  Who can be saved?

4. Now look at the verses from Deuteronomy chapter 30 below.  These are the verses that are quoted in vs. 6-9.  What does the context of these verses add to the meaning and significance here in Romans?

Deuteronomy 30:6   ⁶ “Moreover the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendants, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, in order that you may live.

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Deuteronomy 30:11-16   ¹¹ “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it out of reach.  ¹² “It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will go up to heaven for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’  ¹³ “Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will cross the sea for us to get it for us and make us hear it, that we may observe it?’  ¹⁴ “But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may observe it.  ¹⁵ “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity;  ¹⁶ in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply, and that the LORD your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess it.

5. What does this chapter say about our responsibility to share our knowledge of Christ?
   
   
6. How has God chosen to have the gospel spread throughout the world?
   
   
7. How is faith manifested in the believer?

8. Concerning Israel, what does this chapter say?  Does the last verse of this chapter have significance for us as Christians?  If so, what is it?

1. Read verse 22.  What does the verse mean with it says that God was “willing to demonstrate His wrath”?
   
   
2. Who are the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction, and why did God have to endure them with patience?
   
   
3. Who are the vessels of mercy, and can a vessel change from one type to another?  What does God’s patience have to do with the vessels of mercy?
   
   
4. Explain the meaning and significance of verses 25 and 26.  What does God’s plan for salvation have to with these verses?

5. Who is the remnant mentioned in verse 27 and why are they significant?
   
   
6. How did we as Gentiles pursue a law of righteousness?  Who or what is the stumbling stone?
   
   
7. Explain why Jesus is a stumbling stone for the Jews?  Why would they be confused about Jesus and why His sacrifice was needed?
   
   
8. Finally, consider the reason for Paul’s writing about God’s sovereignty in this chapter.  God’s sovereignty over what?  How does this fit in with the chapters that build into this chapter in Romans?  What purpose does this chapter serve in Paul’s letter?

What makes you a Christian?  Think about what it means to have genuine salvation.  Are you saved because you have gone to church all your life?  Because you are a good person who does good things in the church?  What about because you were baptized?  None of these are reasons to think that you are saved.  Only genuine faith in the promises of God brings about salvation.  Think about this as you study for the lesson in Chapter 10.

1. What do verses 1-5 say about the state of the Jew? What do they say about the dedication of Paul to the lost Jews?
   
   
2. Why does the “adoption of sons” in verse 4 belong to the Jews?

3. Why would someone conclude that the Word of God has failed for the Jews (see verse 6)?
   
   
4. Who are the children of faith that are descendants of Abraham?

5. What do verses 9-13 say about the sovereignty of God? How could God love or hate someone before they are even born? Does God love or hate each individual before they are born?
   
   
6. Read verse 11. What does the phrase “in order that God’s purpose according to His choice might stand”? His choice about what?

7. In light of verses 14-18, explain how God’s actions are just.

8. What is the point of verses 19-21? Does God force His will on individuals? Always?

9. Explain how God’s will fits in with our own “free will.” Does it? Explain how God could mold us as he sees fit and at the same time have our free will involved.