Connect 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?
Warm-Up
- What is the best letter that you have ever received? What made it so good?
- What has been the flow of Paul’s big points that he’s been making so far in the letter?
Read Romans 2:17-29
- What does Paul suggest are some of the descriptors of being a Jew — one of God’s people?
- How are these various things privileges? What privileges do we have as God’s people?
- Whilst there are many privileges, how are God’s people guilty of privilege without practice?
- What were some of the consequences of people’s disobedience? How did it blaspheme God’s name?
- Does the hypocrisy of Christians ever tarnish what people think about God today? Is that valid?
- How were the gifts to God’s people meant to distinguish them? If our obedience won’t save us, why is it still important for us to try and live obediently in God’s strength? What does it say about our heart?
- What was the purpose of circumcision? In light of Jesus, how are believers marked out today?
- How does this all point to our need for the Gospel? How does it help you to reminded of your need?
Read Romans 3:1-8
- What are the four hypothetical questions that Paul now works through? Just trying naming each one.
- What advantage do God’s people have? How have they confused this advantage?
- Does our unfaithfulness somehow ‘nullify’ God’s faithfulness? Why or why not?
- Does our unrighteousness make God look better? How is God’s goodness not dependent on us?
- Why did some people claim that this all meant that they could sin all the more? Why was this so flawed? If we are forgiven by grace and not works (or religious identity), why should we seek to not sin?
- Do you ever feel self-entitled towards God or in comparison to others? Do you have any grounds to?
- If we ever feel tempted to rely on our efforts or a sense of entitlement, what is a good antidote?
Read Romans 3:9-20
- How does Paul make it clear that being under the power of sin is a universal and pervasive condition?
- In what way is this list confronting? Where should a sense of personal conviction of sin point us to?
Apply Is there anything (other than Jesus) that you’re tempted to rely on for your standing before God?
What are the rhythms of your life that remind you that it is only because of the Gospel that we are set right.
