Connect What is one rhythm in your life that helps you to be daily reminded of and rejoice in the gospel?
Warm-Up
- Have you come across people saying, “At least I’m not like them?” Are there certain sins people condemn strongly in others - but excuse, minimise, or justify in themselves?
- How would you connect Romans 1:28-32 to the word “therefore” in Romans 2:1?
Read Romans 1:1-11
- What is the accusation made against the person who judges others? Why are they “without excuse”?
- What does Paul mean by “does the very same things”- is this about identical sin or something deeper?
- What false assumption do the self-righteous people make about God’s judgement?
- God’s judgement is “based on truth” (v.2); how does God judge differently from humans?
- What is the purpose of God’s kindness, forbearance, and patience? How is this often misunderstood?
- What does it mean to be “storing up wrath” (v.5)? Are there areas in your life where sins might become comfortable because God hasn’t judged them yet?
- Verse 6-11 says that God judges “according to works.” How do we understand this alongside salvation by grace through faith?
- What hope does it give us knowing that “God does not show favouritism” (v.11)? But at the same time, why would this be especially confronting to self-justifying people?
- Where might you be relying on being a “good person” rather than honestly facing your sin before God? How would this honesty bring you closer to Christ?
Read Romans 1:12-16
- What is Paul saying about those who have the law and those who do not have the law? How does this show that God’s judgement is impartial?
- Why is merely hearing, knowing, or possessing God’s word not enough?
- What role do conscience and inner thoughts play? How do they show that people have some awareness of right and wrong?
- God will judge people’s secrets through Jesus Christ. What kinds of “secrets” does this include?
- How does the gospel comfort us at this point — that the Judge is also the Saviour who bore judgement for those who trust in him?
Apply Reflect on how you would feel if your inner thoughts, motives, and secrets were fully revealed (v.16). How would the promise, “everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame” (10:11) speak to you?
