Read Romans 5:12-21

When you see a “therefore” in scripture, ask what it is there for. It’s building on an idea. Paul has leveled the playing field for all of us in Romans 1-4 showing how we are all equal in our need for grace and how it’s available to us. He builds on Romans 3 where he talks about us being justified through faith. Now he is going beyond it and making an argument about how the impact of Jesus is greater than the impact of Adam. How through Adam the world fell apart but through Jesus it is not only restored but being made new. We need that hope right now.

Paul is trying to promote faith and hope in a time where the Roman church feels little. It was hard and stressful times. He is reminding them of the big picture of what Christ is accomplishing. It’s hard to see and feel that right now. How do you think/ experience this idea of Christ’s work being greater than Adam’s trespass in a time like this?

Think of other times in your life where there has been a lot of disruption and disorientation. Hard times happen and we have no choice about that. We do get to choose our reaction in the middle of it. We do get to choose our response. What helps you get reoriented toward hope in hard times?

How can you feel connected to others during this time?

What is something you can do to calm yourself?

In these times we don’t need a hero but billions of small heroic acts. What is something you can do to make things a bit better for yourself and those around you?