July 7 The Struggle Within [6] July 14 Victory Over Sin [7] July 21 More Than Conquerors! [8] July 28 Living the Life [9]

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1 [ I LLUMINATE ] STUDY GUIDE Romans & Galatians The Gospel of Grace Unit 1 June 2 A Gospel Summary [1] June 9 The Universality of Sin [2] June 16 What Christ Has Done [3] June 23 Undoing the Damage [4] June 30 The Christian Life [5] Unit 2 July 7 The Struggle Within [6] July 14 Victory Over Sin [7] July 21 More Than Conquerors! [8] July 28 Living the Life [9] Unit 3 August 4 Moral Gray Areas [10] August 11 Deserting the Gospel? [11] August 18 Learning from Abraham [12] August 25 True Freedom [13] Illuminate Study Guide (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. $8.30 per quarter. 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 A Great Symphony Among all the letters of Paul, this one to the church in Rome comes the closest to a systematic theology, a thorough description of the gospel of grace. Because the gospel of grace was being undermined by false teaching in the region of Galatia, Paul s letter to the Galatian Christians is the clearest statement in the New Testament about the way salvation through faith in Christ alone differs markedly from relying upon keeping the law of Moses or adding anything to the simplicity of the gospel. Hence, the thirteen studies from these two epistles (ten on Romans, three on Galatians) are an attempt to provide a short course on the gospel: the universality of sin, God s provision of salvation through the death of Christ on the cross, and some basic teaching on how to live the Christian life. These two epistles essentially launched the Protestant Reformation when Martin Luther was awakened to the message of God s grace within them. He became convinced that what God had revealed and inspired Paul to write in these two epistles regarding the singular role of faith in salvation stood in sharp contradiction to what was commonly taught and believed within the Roman Catholic Church in the fifteenth century. We could also say that the book of Romans broke the back of the widely accepted liberal theology in the early 1900s after the German theologian Karl Barth published the second edition of his famous commentary, The Epistle to the Romans, in Some have suggested that Paul s letter to Rome could be compared to a great symphony with four movements: The Introduction (Romans 1:1-17); Movement 1: Universal Sin (Romans 1:18 3:20); Movement 2: The Triumph of Grace What Christ has Done (Romans 3:21 5:21); Movement 3: Appropriating God s Grace (Romans 6:1 8:39); An Interlude on the Jewish People (Romans 9 11); Movement 4: Living the Christian Life (Romans 12:1 15:33); Closing Greetings (Romans 16). As you listen to this symphony over the next thirteen weeks, be sure to listen for the melody that the Spirit is singing specifically to you. Historical facts and literary characteristics are interesting and helpful, but this work is meant to bring freedom and life. The conductor s wand is in God s hand, and the message of grace is a song written personally and uniquely to each listener, including you. Ron Woodward

3 Romans 1:1-6, A Gospel Summary 1 Study Goals Gain a firm grasp of the essence of the gospel and comprehend its power and authority. Study and understand how Paul presents the authority and the authenticity of the gospel. Examine the way Paul presents his own credentials. Thoroughly understand why neither Paul nor any of us as Christ s followers should ever be ashamed of the gospel. Preparation: Whiteboard or flip chart with markers Paper and pens for the group Familiarize yourself with the weekly project of writing down one s basic beliefs and statement of faith (An ongoing exercise throughout this quarter s study as described in Illuminate Romans 1:16-17 ). by Jeffrey Blackburn Opening Activity Paul understood his role and ministry in the fledgling church as multifaceted, as the opening verses of Romans reveal. He uses several labels to describe his perceived role: servant of Jesus Christ, apostle helping to establish congregations, called to belong to Jesus Christ, and calling others. Discuss ways a follower of Christ may perceive the role each person fills in ministry today. Explore the sense of being called that individuals in your group have. How does individual call differ from and compare to the group s call to serve Christ? ILLUMINATE ROMANS, GALATIANS STUDY GUIDE A Gospel Summary /1a

4 Interact Romans 1:1-4 Which facts about Christ did Paul choose to list here? Why did Paul need to state his understanding of Jesus identity in order to verify his own? Why do you think it might have been important to the Romans for Paul to stress that Jesus was descended from David according to the flesh (v. 3)? Illuminate Romans 1:1-4 On a board or a flip chart, list the various themes that Paul chose to use in the opening verses of his letter. Locate repeated words or phrases for clues to themes, such as Christ Jesus, called, gospel, grace, faith. Invite your group to imagine preparing to talk to a group of people who do not know you personally. Think about primary themes and key words you would use to introduce yourself and your vision or mission. Ask each person to write a paragraph introducing himself or herself. Include views, subjects, and sayings that identify your core values and beliefs. Then invite those who so wish to read their self-introduction to the rest of the group. If the group is larger than ten, you may wish to divide into smaller groupings of three to five people each. This exercise may be especially helpful if the group is newly formed for this study. Discuss what you learn about one another in this exercise. No apostle had been to Rome to teach or establish congregations of Christ followers at this point. The church s presence had spread to the capital of the empire as a result of the persecution that broke out against the church following Stephen s death (Acts 8:1). Most likely writing from Corinth, Paul was forced to establish his authority to speak for Christ in his opening comments ; he wrote in such a way that the Romans would be persuaded to hear him out. One important dimension of Paul s validity was his understanding of the person of Jesus Christ. To quell rumors of heresy, he immediately and clearly states Jesus identity in hopes of convincing readers of his authenticity. 1b\ The Gospel of Grace ILLUMINATE

5 Illuminate Romans 1:5-6, Ask everyone to say the first thing that comes to mind when they hear the word saint. Make a list on the board before moving further into this discussion. The label saint has long been misunderstood as a believer who was unusually pure, righteous, white-haired, miraculously powerful, and usually dead. The New Testament s definition of saint is much broader, referring to a person who is set apart from sin and reserved for relationship with and service to God by virtue of that person s faith in Jesus Christ someone living in active obedience to Christ now. In Greek saint shares the same root as words like holy, holiness, sanctify, and sanctification. Many newer translations choose to use other words to describe the Christian life, as if these former words no longer apply. Sainthood begins by believing in Christ his death and his resurrection as the basis for salvation and being made right with God. We learn holiness by observing God s character, studying and obeying God s Word, adopting his traits, submitting to him, and desiring this new kind of life. Take time to discuss the relationship between obedience and faith in Christ as expressed in these various ways. Not referring merely to those who have performed a verifiable miracle, lived an especially exemplary life, or come from a particular bloodline or heritage, but saint, then, describes all who believe in Christ. Romans 1:5-6, Is it important to understand accurately what it means to be a saint? What does it mean to you personally to be called to belong to Jesus Christ (v. 6)? How does it affect your view of others in the group to realize they, too, are called to belong to Christ? ROMANS, GALATIANS STUDY GUIDE A Gospel Summary /1c

6 Romans 1:16-17 Has there ever been a group of people whom you might have found it hard to believe could be right with God? What are the primary beliefs that influence and shape your daily life? How might you explain to someone how verses 16 and 17 stand as a theme for the whole book, containing key concepts that will be fleshed out later? Living It Out Together Offer a prayer of blessing over the group as this quarter s study begins, particularly in regard to the task of writing down one s basic beliefs. Ask the Spirit to especially attune the participants ears to the Spirit s leadings. Illuminate Romans 1:16-17 This section of Romans introduces some heavyduty theological concepts and realities, as does most of the book of Romans. Paul dared to address these concepts with his readers, urging them to think through the details and dimensions of salvation and a life of faith in Christ. His letter serves the same purpose for us today. The biblical concept of righteousness involves many components, such as acting in a way that is consistent with God s actions and God s own characteristics, qualities that he desires to restore in the human heart, mind, and personality. When a person places faith in Christ for salvation, he or she is connected to God because of that trust. The ongoing result of trusting Christ is increasing obedience to God s will and his ways. Invite students to begin the process of writing down the top 10 to 15 basic beliefs that guide their life of faith. The format could be to complete the sentences such as, I believe God, I believe Jesus Christ, etc. The task of clarifying one s basic beliefs will be an ongoing project through this study series on Romans and Galatians. Encourage all to develop their statements of faith from biblical teachings and principles, using specific verses or passages as the basis for those statements. For example, I believe the Lord is the one, true God and is to be loved and honored above all (Mark 12:30). Statements do not have to be lengthy theological explanations, but they should be meaningful to each person. As in the days of the Roman Christians, followers of Christ today are influenced by many philosophies and points of view that do not always align with the truth of Scripture regarding the life and teachings of Jesus. This exercise could be helpful in assessing one s own views in relation to the Bible. 1d\ Gospel of Grace ILLUMINATE ROMANS, GALATIANS STUDY GUIDE