[ I LLUMINATE ] Romans & Galatians [ ILLUMINATE] The Gospel of Grace F RIENDS BIBLE STUDY. June, July, August 2013 summer quarter Volume 2, Number 4

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1 [ I LLUMINATE ] Romans & Galatians The Gospel of Grace Unit 1 June 2 A Gospel Summary / 3 June 9 The Universality of Sin / 9 June 16 What Christ Has Done / 15 June 23 Undoing the Damage / 21 June 30 The Christian Life / 27 Unit 2 July 7 The Struggle Within / 33 July 14 Victory Over Sin / 39 July 21 More Than Conquerors! / 45 July 28 Living the Life / 51 Unit 3 August 4 Moral Gray Areas / 57 August 11 Deserting the Gospel? / 63 August 18 Learning from Abraham / 69 August 25 True Freedom / 75 Illuminate (USPS ), Editorial and business office, 211 N. Meridian St., # 101, Newberg, Oregon 97132, is published quarterly by Barclay Press (publisher of Christian education curriculum for the Evangelical Friends Church North America Region) at 211 N. Meridian St., # 101, Newberg, Oregon. $3.60 per quarter. $6.00 per quarter for large-print edition. Second-class postage paid at Newberg, Oregon. POSTMASTER Send address changes to 211 N. Meridian St., # 101, Newberg, OR Printed in U.S.A. Scripture text New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1989, 1995 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. [ ILLUMINATE] F RIENDS BIBLE STUDY June, July, August 2013 summer quarter Volume 2, Number 4 Editorial Team: Cleta Crisman, Dan McCracken, Aj Schwanz, Ron Woodward, and Judy Woolsey

2 ILLUMINATE scope and sequence fall winter spring summer Genesis Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy 1, 2 Samuel Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes Psalms Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther Luke John Matthew Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians Major Prophets Mark Acts Joshua, Judges, Ruth 1, 2 Kings, 1, 2 Chronicles Minor Prophets John James, 1, 2 Peter Exodus, Numbers Romans, Galatians 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, 1, 2, 3 John Hebrews 1, 2 Corinthians, 1, 2 Thessalonians Revelation Illuminate uses New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) for the printed lesson text. The scholarship of this translation along with the use of genderinclusive language make NRSV a good basis for these studies. Churches and individuals are encouraged to use their preferred Bible translation when studying these passages. Scripture texts have been selected with attention given to providing a comprehensive, although limited, study of the Bible. The outlines for these Bible studies and the lesson materials are prepared to support and reflect the faith and practice of evangelical Friends.

3 Romans 1:1-6, A Gospel Summary 1 1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy scriptures, 3 the gospel concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith among all the Gentiles for the sake of his name, 6 including yourselves who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. **** 14 I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish 15 hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith; as it is written, The one who is righteous will live by faith. A Gospel Summary /3

4 Beyond the Selected Text 2 Samuel 7:1-17 Matthew 28:16-20 Acts 7:54 8:3 Acts 9:1-18 Romans 1:7-13 Galatians 3:23-29 Colossians 1:15-23 Focus on the Word by Jeffrey Blackburn Introduction If you were going to summarize the core message of the gospel say, for a new believer how would you state it in one sentence? When we want to communicate an important message, stating it in a single, concise sentence can be a helpful way to keep it clear in our own minds. Most believers and scholars seem to agree that the overarching theme of the letter to the Romans is the gospel of grace. The problem among believers living there in Rome, however, was to agree upon the core definition of the gospel, God s plan of salvation through faith in Christ. Some wanted to attach other requirements to it. So the apostle named Paul set out to define the essence of the gospel, God s grace, in a systematic way. At the heart of the gospel message is God s grace. Writing some 25 years after Jesus rose from the dead and returned to heaven, Paul had not yet personally visited Rome. He wrote to clarify his message because false accusations about the apostle circulated in the church there. As you sit with this week s Scripture, watch for key words and phrases that indicate the central subjects to be covered by this letter. 4\ The Gospel of Grace

5 Romans 1:1-4 Credentials In almost all social relationships, credentials are important in verifying a person s authenticity and qualifications. Education, work experience, interests, skills, positions, or titles held may be included in any given list of credentials. Paul s use of the term servant reflected his humility first of all. He understood that he was subject to Christ Jesus and bound to serve him. The phrase called to be an apostle (v. 1) conveyed Paul s confidence in God s calling of him to a widely recognized position in the leadership structure of the early church, a commission originating outside his own sense of ambition or qualification. God set Paul apart to experience, know, and communicate the gospel he received directly from Jesus Christ. Again, it was not a self-appointed task: God through Christ had called him to this ministry. Would the church recognize that call and message? Would they acknowledge Paul s legitimacy to claim the title apostle? Included in Paul s credentials is a statement of his understanding of the gospel coupled with his awareness of Jesus identity. God had announced the good news centuries before Christ came to earth, speaking through designated prophets who recorded the word of the Lord under the guidance of the Spirit of God. Looking back to the time of King David, we discover that God had planned to seat a ruler on David s throne forever. The fulfillment of this promise recorded in 2 Samuel 7:11b-13 rests in Jesus Christ, a descendant of David. Jesus was validated as God s Son when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. God s grace transformed Paul from a murderous Pharisee named Saul. Paul had not done anything to deserve this special favor. In fact, his life and actions to that point should have disqualified him as a representative of God. Yet for his own glory, Christ chose Saul, confronted him even as he was on his mission to persecute Jesus disciples, and commissioned him to go to all people groups and invite them to the way of Christ (Romans 1:5). The repeated use of the word called emphasizes the activity of God in inviting people to faith in his Son. God summoned Paul to proclaim the gospel and establish congregations. Questions to Consider Romans 1:1-4 In what ways is Paul s call to serve Christ similar to the call of every believer? How is Paul s role in the church different than that of the other believers? A Gospel Summary /5

6 Romans 1:5-6, Paul s Role Romans 1:5-6, In your own life, what do you think might disqualify you from the service and blessing of God? What does Paul s example teach you about this? How would you describe the relationship between obedience and faith? Does faith motivate obedience to God? How so? Romans 1:16-17 What does it mean to have faith in Jesus Christ? What are the disadvantages of having a category of birthright membership in the church? By grace, God invited Paul to do the work of an apostle so that God would be glorified. His past may have disqualified him from ministry, but God s favor redeemed this former Pharisee for his own purposes. Paul s fellow Jews may not have been receptive to his message, but Paul s commission was much broader than that. The door of the gospel of grace had been opened to include Gentiles people who were not Jewish by birth. They, too, were invited to respond to God in faith that the lordship of Jesus Christ had been extended to them as well. Paul acknowledges that those reading his letter were part of the church at Rome. He affirms their faith and status in Christ as ones who are called to belong to Jesus Christ (v. 6 NIV1984). He refers to them as saints: to understand their status as followers of Christ people called to be holy and obedient was crucial to all that would follow in his letter. Having heard about their faith, Paul had been praying for them (Romans 1:8-10). He recognized their partnership in spreading the gospel, whether or not those in Rome accepted him as a partner yet. In Romans 1:7-13, Paul expresses his great desire to connect with the Roman believers in a significant way, a desire he had held for some time. He knows such a face-to-face visit would be mutually encouraging in understanding the scope of the way of Christ. Paul openly admits that his ministry had no boundaries neither racial, social, philosophical, geographic, nor political. At that time in history, the culture of Rome was fairly diverse as conquered people groups were brought into the empire. Therefore, ministering in Rome would open up the spread of the message of Christ to a broader range of nationalities and cultures. Paul had responded to Jesus commission to be one of his witnesses to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8) and to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19). This ministry tour to Rome would immediately multiply his efforts to fulfill that calling. 6\ The Gospel of Grace

7 Romans 1:16-17 The Gospel The gospel and the power of God are inseparable and cannot be isolated from each other. Salvation of the human soul cannot be accomplished apart from the dynamic power of God first on the cross in the death of Jesus Christ, then at the empty tomb with Jesus resurrection, and finally by the Spirit of God s work in the human heart and mind to convince of the need for salvation. God s power indicates God is able and active to accomplish the salvation of everyone who has faith. Paul boldly proclaimed that being made right with God comes only by faith in Jesus Christ. These words would have offended Romans who understood that Paul was proclaiming one true God in the face of the many gods and idols of Rome. Jews who understood Paul s claim that Jesus was God were also offended, just as they were offended when Jesus claimed to be equal with God (John 5:18). To stand unashamed and declare that God can only save a person who believes in Jesus Christ was bold. Yet Paul graciously invited and included all who believe. God s gift of salvation was offered to all people, regardless of race or other factors. Romans, who thought themselves militarily and socially superior, and Jews, who considered themselves ethnically superior, were often outraged by the gospel and Paul s audacity to proclaim it as he did! Paul held firmly to the message, though, because he understood another crucial, life-changing facet of the gospel: For in it the righteousness of God is revealed (1:17a). The very nature of God had been revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the image of the invisible God for in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell (Colossians 1:15a, 19). And he is the reflection of God s glory and the exact imprint of God s very being (Hebrews 1:3a). Those who will be right with God are compelled to trust God alone for their status. Right standing is based not on one s ability to demonstrate worthiness to God. Rather, God views as righteous those who believe in Christ for their justification and trust that they are saved by faith alone. Living Out Romans 1:1-6, How is God inviting you to participate in communicating the message of God s grace to others? Our abilities, gifts, and personalities differ, so each person s role and function will vary in spreading the good news. All believers can proclaim the gospel in one way or another. Look for ways you can speak and live the truth of grace this week. Is there someone you know to whom you could explain the gospel of grace? Be prepared next session to report ways God used you to communicate the gospel of grace. A Gospel Summary /7

8 Friendly Perspective by Becky Ankeny The theme of slavery and freedom runs throughout this week s passage. Even the word Lord can mean owner. Paul is the slave of Jesus, sent out with a message, a gift for the outsiders of his world the Gentiles. This message is the good news about God that Jesus taught and lived. When this good news moves us to faith, to trust in the character and power and love of God, we are also slaves sent out with a message. We act on behalf of our owner, Jesus, and we share the good news with our own version of outsiders. This necessity to take the good news to others moved George Fox, the founder of the Society of Friends (Quakers) in the mid-1600s. He wrote in his Journal that the Lord let him see a great people to be gathered (ch. 6). When the Lord God and his Son Jesus Christ sent me forth into the world to preach his everlasting gospel and kingdom, I was glad that I was commanded to turn people to that inward Light, Spirit, and Grace, by which all might know their salvation and their way to God; even that Divine Spirit which would lead them into all truth (ch. 2). We can hear in the word commanded the same sense of obligation that moved Paul. Also like Paul, Fox shared the good news with all levels of society, from nobility to beggar. He made no difference between social classes, so he took off his hat to no one, which witnessed to the essential equality of all before God. Though it is difficult for Paul to say, he does affirm that the good news is as much for the Gentiles, the Greeks, and the barbarians, as it is for the Jews. Why might Paul or we be ashamed of the good news? For one thing, it removes our own class or status. Everyone who believes becomes a slave of Jesus Christ. The good news doesn t belong to any one group. It is common, stripping everyone down to essentials, like being born again. The good news is the very energy of God, the strength of God that pushes all who believe God towards deliverance, freedom, salvation. 8\ The Gospel of Grace