Bible Study

Focus: All who accept the gospel have a sure hope for a future as children of God

Context Passage: Romans 8:1-39

Verses 1-11 tells us that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus.  We are set free from the bondage of sin because Jesus was our sin offering in order that the law’s requirement would be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. Those that have not put their faith in Jesus for salvation have their mind set on things of the flesh while those that have put their faith and trust in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. 

THE MINDSET OF THE FLESH IS DEATH (SPIRITUAL)

•  mindset of the flesh is hostile to God
• it does not submit to God’s law
• it is unable to do so
• cannot please God
• he does not belong to Jesus

BUT THE MINDSET OF THE SPIRIT IS LIFE AND PEACE

• Spirit of God lives in you
• Spirit gives life
• brings our mortal bodies to life through his Spirit who lives in you

Study Passage - Romans 8:12-25

12 So then, brothers and sisters, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, 13 because if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear. Instead, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba,[i] Father!” 16 The Spirit himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.

18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility—not willingly, but because of him who subjected it—in the hope 21 that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage to decay into the glorious freedom of God’s children. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together with labor pains until now. 23 Not only that, but we ourselves who have the Spirit as the firstfruits—we also groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 Now in this hope we were saved, but hope that is seen is not hope, because who hopes for what he sees? 25 Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience.

“Raised”

Focus: Salvation comes through Jesus’ death and resurrection

Context Passage: Luke 24

Study Passage – Luke 24:1-12

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.

“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. 6 “He is not here, but he has risen!Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying, ‘It is necessary that the Son of Man be betrayed into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise on the third day’?” 8 And they remembered his words.

9 Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven and to all the rest. 10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them were telling the apostles these things. 11 But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women. 12 Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths. So he went away, amazed at what had happened.

Study Passage - Romans 6:1-14

What should we say then? Should we continue in sin so that grace may multiply? 2 Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it? 3 Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we were buried with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too may walk in newness[a] of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be[b] in the likeness of his resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self[c] was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin[d] might be rendered powerless so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin, 7 since a person who has died is freed[e] from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him, 9 because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead, will not die again. Death no longer rules over him. 10 For the death he died, he died to sin once for all time; but the life he lives, he lives to God. 11 So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.[f]

12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey[g] its desires. 13 And do not offer any parts[h] of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness. 14 For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under the law but under grace.

The Theme of Romans

The gospel is the power of God for salvation and radically changes the lives of all who put their faith in Christ Jesus. Paul’s passion for the gospel is seen from the opening verse to the closing of the letter.  He had been set apart to proclaim the gospel to unbelievers.  The same gospel would strengthen believers in Rome                                  

Study Passage - Romans 5:1-11

5 Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, (1)we have peace[a] with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 We have also (2) obtained access through him by faith[b] into this grace in which we stand, and (3)we rejoice[c] in the hope of the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we also rejoice in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, 4 endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. 5 This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For rarely will someone die for a just person—though for a good person perhaps someone might even dare to die. 8 But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 How much more then, since we have now been declared righteous by his blood, will we be saved through him from wrath. 10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, then how much more, having been reconciled, will we be saved by his life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received this reconciliation.

• There will be a time of distress like never before
• All people will be judged.  Jesus is the only one who will save you.  He will look in the “Book” to see if you name is written.  If you have truly repented of your sin and asked Jesus to save you from your sin your name will be written in the book!  All others to “shame and everlasting contempt”
• When we are in “Christ we are new creations” and we will rise to receive our allotted inheritance
• How will you live the rest of your life with this information?

“Justified”

Focus: All who accept the gospel by faith are justified before the Father

Context Passage – Romans 3:21-4:25

 The Theme of Romans

The gospel is the power of God for salvation and radically changes the lives of all who put their faith in Christ Jesus. Paul’s passion for the gospel is seen from the opening verse to the closing of the letter.  He had been set apart to proclaim the gospel to unbelievers.  The same gospel would strengthen believers In Rome

 Study Passage - Romans 3:21-4:3

The Righteousness of God through Faith

21 But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has been revealed, attested by the Law and the Prophets. 22 The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, since there is no distinction. 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 24 They are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as an atoning sacrifice in his blood, received through faith, to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his restraint God passed over the sins previously committed. 26 God presented him to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so that he would be righteous and declare righteous the one who has faith in Jesus.

Boasting Excluded

27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By one of works? No, on the contrary, by a law of faith. 28 For we conclude that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is one God who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then nullify the law through faith? Absolutely not! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

Abraham Justified by Faith

4 What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found] 2 If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about—but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness. 

  What insights can you take away to strengthen your walk with Jesus?

·        We are all sinners in need of a savior

·        Most people believe they are good enough to get into heaven

·        We are justified by faith not by works

·        We need to tell people our story about how we came to Christ and what we had to overcome to do that

• God has a specific plan for history
• God puts people in power and takes them out at the perfect time
• We need to glorify God when we see his prophesies come to pass
• We see a clear picture of the Antichrist over 2600 years before it takes place

Focus: Since no one can keep the law perfectly, everyone needs a savior

Context Passage – Romans 2:17-3:20

The Theme of Romans

The gospel is the power of God for salvation and radically changes the lives of all who put their faith in Christ Jesus. Paul’s passion for the gospel is seen from the opening verse to the closing of the letter.  He had been set apart to proclaim the gospel to unbelievers.  The same gospel would strengthen believers in Rome

Study Passage - Romans 2:17-29

Now if you call yourself a Jew, and rely on the law, and boast in God, 18 and know his will, and approve the things that are superior, being instructed from the law, 19 and if you are convinced that you are a guide for the blind, a light to those in darkness, 20 an instructor of the ignorant, a teacher of the immature, having the embodiment of knowledge and truth in the law— 21 you then, who teach another, don’t you teach yourself? You who preach, “You must not steal”—do you steal? 22 You who say, “You must not commit adultery”—do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob their temples? 23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 For, as it is written: The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.

25 Circumcision benefits you if you observe the law, but if you are a lawbreaker, your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 26 So if an uncircumcised man keeps the law’s requirements, will not his uncircumcision be counted as circumcision? 27 A man who is physically uncircumcised, but who keeps the law, will judge you who are a lawbreaker in spite of having the letter of the law and circumcision. 28 For a person is not a Jew who is one outwardly, and true circumcision is not something visible in the flesh. 29 On the contrary, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart—by the Spirit, not the letter. That person’s praise is not from people but from God.

1.   What are some things that you are really good at”?

2.   How close to perfect are you in those areas?

3.   In what ways do you fall short?

4.   Who is God speaking to in verse 17?

“IF” CAN ALSO MEAN “SINCE”

5.   How did the Jews see themselves in verses 17-20?

a.   Call yourself a Jew, rely on the law, boast in God, know His will, have discernment, instructed by the law, a guide for the blind, light to those in darkness, instructor of the ignorant, teacher of the immature, believed they were the embodiment of knowledge and truth, 

6.   How would you describe how the Jew felt about themselves? (Superior attitude, better than everyone else)

7.   What’s missing here? (A humble loving attitude, walking the talk)

8.   Who would Paul be talking to today? (All Christians both Jew and gentile)

9.   Look at verse 21.  What is Paul saying? (If you think this way of yourself shouldn’t you act like it?

10.  Paul continues with rhetorical questions: You who preach, “You must not steal”—do you steal? 22 You who say, “You must not commit adultery”—do you commit adultery? You who detest idols, do you rob their temples? 23 You who boast in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? What point is Paul driving home? (Their walk did not back up their talk) 

WE SAY WE ARE PEOPLE OF FAITH, BUT IN THE LIGHT OF THIS PANDEMIC WE ARE FACING, ARE WE LIVING OUT OUR FAITH. WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING? 

2 Chronicles 7:14

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

President Trump declared on Friday a National Day of Prayer for this upcoming Sunday, shortly

KEY LEARNINGS FROM LESSON TEN

• Daniel AGAIN WAS PRAYING when supernatural events take place!
• When we PRAY, things happen!!!
• God’s Plan will unfold at the perfect time-Wait on Him!!!
• God will strengthen us when we are down and our energy is gone!
• We are in a SPIRITUAL BATTLE and need to always put on The Full Armor of God and be ready to battle evil

Three Archangels mentioned in Scripture

• Michael – The Powerful Warrior Angel who is the chief angel of heaven and most likely seized the dragon (Satan) with a chain, bound him and threw him into the abyss for 1000 years.  Revelation 20: 1-3
• Gabriel – The Powerful Messenger Angel-Luke 2
• Lucifer – A powerful archangel who “became proud in his heart” and became Satan

Ezekiel 28:12-15 - “‘You were the seal of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty.  You were in Eden, the garden of God; every precious stone adorned you: carnelian, chrysolite and emerald, topaz, onyx and jasper, lapis lazuli, turquoise and beryl. Your settings and mountings[c] were made of gold; on the day you were created they were prepared. 14 You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. 15 You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you. 

 “Guilty”

Ignoring God leads to destruction

Context Passage – Romans 1:18-2:16

The Theme of Romans

The gospel is the power of God for salvation and radically changes the lives of all who put their faith in Christ Jesus. Paul’s passion for the gospel is seen from the opening verse to the closing of the letter.  He had been set apart to proclaim the gospel to unbelievers.  The same gospel would strengthen believers in Rome

 Study Passage - Romans 1:18-28:32

1.   What might a person turn to in his or her search for meaning? (chart answers)

2.   How would you rank the items you listed from most tried to least?

3.   Who is God’s wrath revealed against? (against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people)

a.   2 Corinthians 7:9-10 - I now rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because your grief led to repentance. For you were grieved as God willed, so that you didn’t experience any loss from us. 10 For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly grief produces death.

4.   Who are unrighteous? (For all have sinned)

5.   When you were to ask 100 people on the street, (If you were to die today where would you go”, how do you think most people would answer that?  (to heaven)

6.   When you ask them why, what do you think they would say? (because I’m a good person)

7.   What’s the problem with that answer? (they don’t believe they need to repent)

8.   How would you respond to a person that said they were a good person?

9.   Why does God say that people are without excuse in verses 19-23?

a.   His eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen in creation

10.  What aspect of God reveal the most about God to you?

11.  How could you use that revelation to help other know God?

12.  What are the characteristics of a person that has not truly repented and asked Jesus to save them? (Verses 21-25 – CHART)

13.  Why do people serve man-made “gods” rather than honor the Lord?

14.  How would you convenience people that they need to repent and turn to God? (tell them your story)

15.  What happens to people that refuse to acknowledge God in verses 24-28?

16.  According to verse 32, what do people know about God?

17.  What do people do that are unrepentant? (applaud other who don’t do what is right?

What insights can you take away to strengthen your walk with Jesus?

·         God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against ungodliness

·         God is revealed in creation

·         Everyone need to repent and come to God through Jesus or there will be extreme consequence