Romans 1

ROMANS

Chapter 1

STUDY:

What was promised beforehand through the prophets? What does "through the prophets" mean?
What did Paul and others receive from Jesus and what were they to bring about to all nations?
What does it mean to be mutually encourage by each other's faith?
How is the gospel the power of God? Why is it only to those who believe?
What does it mean to "live by faith"?
What is the wrath of God, and who is it directed at?
Why is the knowledge of God plain to people?
What did God allow to those who did not honor Him?

EXERCISE:

The following method is from Rick Warren's Bible Study Methods. If we emphasize different words when we read the text, it can reveal to us new meanings of the verse. I would encourage you to read each of these aloud, and journal any new insights you have of the text.

  FOR I am not ashamed of the the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
  For I AM not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
  For I am NOT ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
  For I am not ASHAMED of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
  For I am not ashamed OF the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
  For I am not ashamed of THE gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
  For I am not ashamed of the GOSPEL, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, FOR it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for IT is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it IS the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is THE power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the POWER of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power OF God for salvation to everyone who believes.
  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of GOD for salvation to everyone who believes.
  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God FOR salvation to everyone who believes.
  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for SALVATION to everyone who believes.
  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation TO everyone who believes.
  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to EVERYONE who believes.
  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone WHO believes.
  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who BELIEVES.

I really enjoyed I, NOT, ASHAMED, IT, IS, POWER, GOD, and EVERYONE emphasized.

When I emphasized I, I felt I could claim this verse as my own. When I accented NOT, I strongly proclaimed the text. When I emphasized IT, I felt disownership from the verse- that it has nothing to do with me- but only in the gospel. When I accented IS, I had affirmation of the power of the gospel. When I emphasized POWER, there was more strength and authority behind the text. When I accented GOD, I again felt disownership to the text and was covered with humility toward the exalted Almighty God. When I emphasized EVERYONE, I felt sadness and joy. Sadness because there is so many people who could know the power of the gospel and don't. I felt joy because it is such a gift to those who do believe.

Did you like that exercise? I thought it to be silly when I first read Rick Warren's book, but now find it exhilarating. What are we going to do with how God showed us different meanings of the text? What other text can you use this exercise with?

APPLICATION:

Are you ashamed of the gospel? What did you learn from the exercise we did?
In your circumstances right now, how can you live by faith? Looking back, have you experienced God's provision in a past circumstance that you can remember to strengthen your faith when you face a challenge in the future?
Is there any created thing you need to stop worshiping?

go to chapter 2

Read my thoughts on this chapter:

"fOR i AM NOT ASHAMED"

HIGHLIGHTED TEXT:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.
{Verse 16}

RECOMMENDATIONS:

A sermon to listen to:
http://marshill.com/media/doctrine/worship-god-transforms

A study on Romans to do:
https://www.handstotheplow.org/bible-study-details.html?id=2