Connect Where are you tempted to rely on your heritage, morality, church involvement, or your own effort rather than Christ, and what would it mean for you to trust Christ instead?
Warm-Up
- Who first shared the gospel with you? Who shared the gospel with them? (And as a stretch goal: who shared the gospel with them?)
Read Romans 10:1-8 (Two Types of Righteousness)
- What is Paul’s desire? How should that shape how we read this whole section in Romans?
- What is positive about the Israelites' approach to God? What is problematic about the Israelites’ approach to righteousness? What were they trying to do?
- Why can it be appealing to focus on our own efforts and works? Why will this never be enough?
- How is righteousness made available to everyone who believes?
- What is the point of the Old Testament references in verses 5-8? In what ways do they highlight the need for Christ to fulfil the law?
Read Romans 10:9-13 (The Guarantee of Salvation)
- How do you know if you are saved?
- What specifically does verse 9-10 say about Jesus? What are important truths to belief about Jesus?
- What does our response need to be to Jesus? Why should our faith in Jesus as our Lord include our whole lives?
- When have you ever felt shame or embarrassment for being a Christian? What helped you at that time?
- Why will we not be put to shame for our faith when Jesus returns? How can that motivate us today?
- Who is able to access salvation? What is the guarantee?
- Who is an unlikely person you’ve seen come to faith? Who is someone right now, who you can’t imagine coming to faith? How can you be praying for them?
Read Romans 10:14-16 (Our Role to Proclaim)
- How does someone come to believe in Jesus?
- Why is preaching the gospel not just for paid gospel workers? What are we equipped with?
- Who might you be sent to? (Consider people for whom you might be the only Christian there).
Apply Think of three people in your life who don’t yet know Jesus. Pray each day this week for soft hearts, for opportunities for them to hear the gospel, and courage for yourself to share the gospel.
