The NLT Study Series is based on the NLT Study Bible. Each of the 13-week studies provide an in-depth study of a particular Bible book. The entire text of that book from the NLT Study Bible is included. The study provides participants with five scripture readings per week and daily questions to prompt the participant to enter the world of the Bible and reflect on what God is saying. A unique small group format facilitates full participation. The NLT Study Series explores the textual, linguistic, literary, and cultural aspects of the scriptures and those to whom it was written. It is appropriate for serious Bible study, and it teaches individuals to work at understanding Scripture.

NLT STUDY SERIES ROMANS

Know the TruthBy Douglas J. Moo Sean A. Harrison

Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Copyright © 2009 Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-4143-2198-1

Contents

Series Foreword.................................................................................A5Introduction to the Romans Study................................................................A9How to Use This Study...........................................................................A11Introductory Session The Power of God (Rom 1:16-17).............................................A13WEEK 1 Good News and Bad (Introduction; Rom 1:1-32)...........................................A15WEEK 2 God's Righteous Judgment and All People's Guilt (Rom 2:1-3:20).........................A23WEEK 3 Being Made Right with God by Faith in Jesus Christ (Rom 3:21-4:25).....................A31WEEK 4 Dead to Sin, Alive to God (Rom 5:1-6:14)...............................................A39WEEK 5 Freedom from Sin's Power and the Law's Judgment (Rom 6:15-7:25)........................A47WEEK 6 Eternal Life and Fellowship with God in the Spirit (Rom 8:1-39)........................A55WEEK 7 God's Chosen People (Rom 9:1-29).......................................................A65WEEK 8 Christ as the Climax of Salvation History (Rom 9:30-10:21).............................A73WEEK 9 Israel's Present and Future (Rom 11:1-36)..............................................A81WEEK 10 The Transformed Life (Rom 12:1-13:14)...................................................A89WEEK 11 Scruples and Freedoms (Rom 14:1-15:13)..................................................A97WEEK 12 Paul's Plans, Greetings, and Doxology (Rom 15:14-16:27).................................A105The Letter to the ROMANS from the NLT Study Bible...............................................1888Introduction to the New Living Translation......................................................B1Bible Translation Team..........................................................................B5NLT Study Bible Contributors....................................................................B7

Chapter One

WEEK ONE

Good News and Bad

INTRODUCTION; ROMANS 1:1-32

OUTLINE

DAY 1 ... Romans Introduction DAY 2 ... Romans 1:1-7 DAY 3 ... Romans 1:8-17 DAY 4 ... Romans 1:18-23 DAY 5 ... Romans 1:24-32

Group Session

DAY 1 * Romans Introduction

READING: ROMANS INTRODUCTION, pp. 1888-1892

Begin with prayer, asking God to give you insight, understanding, and an open heart to listen to and follow his word.

STUDY

Read the "Setting" (p. 1888). Why do you think it was important for Paul to address the division between Jewish and Gentile Christians?

Read the "Summary" (pp. 1889-1890). What is the unifying theme of the letter? How does Paul develop this theme throughout the letter?

Read "Paul's Purpose in Writing" (pp. 1890-1891). What were Paul's purposes in writing Romans?

FURTHER STUDY (Optional)

Read the "Interpretation" section (pp. 1891-1892). Do the two schools of thought concerning Romans conflict or harmonize? Is one or the other of them right? Neither? Both? Please explain.

REFLECTION

What questions does the Romans introduction answer for you? What questions does it raise?

What do you think God is saying to you through your study of the Romans introduction?

PRAYER

Talk to God about what you have read, any questions or concerns you might have, and what you think he might be saying to you today. You can write your prayer here if you wish.

DAY 2 * Romans 1:1-7

READING: ROMANS 1:1-7

Begin with prayer, asking God to give you insight, understanding, and an open heart to listen to and follow his word.

STUDY

What did Paul mean in saying that he was "a slave of Christ Jesus" (1:1)? When and how was Paul "chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News"? Why are these claims important for his letter to the Romans?

Why is it significant that God's Son was "born into King David's family line" (1:3-4)? How did Jesus' resurrection show him "to be the Son of God"?

How do people receive grace and peace from God (1:7)? How does this grace and peace change their lives and experiences?

FURTHER STUDY (Optional)

The Greek word for "called" (kletos), according to the word study dictionary in the NLT Study Bible, means "an invitation to someone to accept responsibilities for a particular task or a new relationship. God calls/invites the believer to relationship with him or to a particular role in his Kingdom." Also read Matt 22:14; Rom 8:28; 11:29; 1 Cor 1:2, 26; Eph 1:18; 4:1; 2 Thes 1:11; 2 Tim 1:9; 2 Pet 1:10; Jude 1:1. How do these passages impact your understanding of what it means to be called to belong to Jesus Christ?

REFLECTION

As described in Rom 1:1-7, what has God done for you?

What do you think God is saying to you personally through Rom 1:1-7?

PRAYER

Talk to God about what you have read, any questions or concerns you might have, and what you think he might be saying to you today. You can write your prayer here if you wish.

DAY 3 * Romans 1:8-17

READING: ROMANS 1:8-17

Begin with prayer, asking God to give you insight, understanding, and an open heart to listen to and follow his word.

STUDY

Paul usually includes a thanksgiving and prayer for his readers near the beginning of his letters. In 1:8, about what does he give thanks for the Roman Christians? What does he pray for them?

How would Paul's visiting the Roman Christians encourage each of them (1:10-12)?

What did Paul hope to accomplish with his visit to the Romans (1:13-15)?

How does 1:16-17 fit into the flow of what Paul is saying in ch 1? When Paul says, "For I am not ashamed of this Good News," what in this context would bring him to say that?

FURTHER STUDY (Optional)

The Greek word for "gift" in 1:11 is charisma. The definition of this word in the back of the NLT Study Bible says, "This noun refers to a gift generously and freely given as an expression of the giver's favor. In the NT, it often refers to spiritual gifts given by God to believers for various purposes within the body of Christ." Also read Rom 12:6; 1 Cor 1:7; 7:7; 12:4, 28; 1 Tim 4:14; 2 Tim 1:6; 1 Pet 4:10. How could Paul give a charisma (spiritual gift) to the Roman Christians?

REFLECTION

If Paul were to visit you or your community, what spiritual gift or blessing would he bring to you? How can you receive that same gift or blessing from God now?

What do you think God is saying to you through your study of Rom 1:8-17?

PRAYER

Talk to God about what you have read, any questions or concerns you might have, and what you think he might be saying to you today. You can write your prayer here if you wish.

DAY 4 * Romans 1:18-23

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