Right in God s Sight Paul s Letter to the Romans Romans 10:1-21 Inductive Discovery Lesson 14 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 Can you remember the first time these words penetrated your heart? It probably wasn t the first time you heard them. Children are taught to recite the words. If you re older than forty, you ve surely seen these words plastered across a roadside sign left to fade in the sun. You can find these words on bookmarks, religious brochures and delicately embroidered pillows. What do people actually hear in these words? Skeptics hear a slogan. Disinterested masses hear a catchy, one-size-fits-all phrase. Pretenders hear the words they intend to fall back on someday. What do you hear? What do you hope and pray others will hear? Paul tirelessly shared the gospel with anyone, anywhere, anytime. Sometimes his message was gladly received; often it fell on deaf ears. This sad fact was on his mind as he penned chapter 10. His heart s desire and prayer was for the salvation of his own people, yet he was compelled to acknowledge they were responsible for their unbelief. He must painfully point out that, while the truth is all around them, they aren t listening. Paul expressed his sorrow, knowing there would always be some who would reject Jesus as Lord. How did he cope with such disappointment? He certainly didn t take the route suggested in a recent advice column: Indifference can make the inevitable easier to endure. What would you do if you were in Paul s shoes? But wait you are Romans 10:1-21 Read through the passage one time without interruption. Read it again, using a different translation if possible. Briefly describe in your own words what Paul is saying. 1
Working Text for Romans 10:1-21 New International Version (NIV) Note: When Paul directly quotes or alludes to Old Testament scripture, it is printed all in caps. You will find references for these scriptures in the side column. 1 Brothers, my heart s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God s righteousness. 4 Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. 5 Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the law: THE MAN WHO DOES Leviticus 18:5 THESE THINGS WILL LIVE BY THEM. 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN? (that is, to bring Christ down) Deut. 30:12-14 7 or WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE DEEP? (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? THE WORD IS NEAR YOU; IT IS IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART, that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: 9 That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, ANYONE WHO TRUSTS IN HIM WILL NEVER BE PUT TO SHAME. 12 For there is no difference between Isaiah 28:16 Jew and Gentile the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, EVERYONE WHO CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED. Joel 2:32 2
14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS! 16 But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED Isaiah 5:27 Nahum 1:15 Isaiah 53:1 OUR MESSAGE? 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. 18 But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: THEIR VOICE HAS GONE OUT INTO ALL THE EARTH, THEIR WORDS TO THE ENDS OF THE WORLD. 19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, I WILL MAKE YOU ENVIOUS BY THOSE WHO ARE NOT A Psalm 19:4 Deut. 32:21 NATION; I WILL MAKE YOU ANGRY BY A NATION THAT HAS NO UNDERSTANDING. 20 And Isaiah boldly says, I WAS FOUND BY THOSE WHO DID NOT SEEK ME; I REVEALED MYSELF TO Isaiah 65:1-2 THOSE WHO DID NOT ASK FOR ME. 21 But concerning Israel he says, ALL DAY LONG I HAVE HELD OUT MY HANDS TO A DISOBEDIENT AND OBSTINATE PEOPLE. Scripture taken from the New International Version, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing. All rights reserved. 3
Write down your OBSERVATIONS Read the section and record what you see. Use the first column to keep track of what you find in the Bible passage. (Who? What? When? Where?) Circle repeated words and phrases. Use the second column to record information you gather from other sources such as a dictionary, concordance, maps, etc. You can also use this section to jot down your thoughts, impressions or questions that come to mind. Do your best to follow Paul s train of thought. Does he emphasize a particular topic? Are his words urgent? Encouraging? Commanding? What issues or problems does he address? What questions does he ask? Romans 10:1-4 Romans 10:5-13 (continued on next page) 4
Romans 10:5-13 (continued) Romans 10:14-17 Romans 10:18-21 (continued on next page) 5
Romans 10:18-21 (continued) Key Words and Phrases Key words and phrases help us understand the main point the writer wants to make. How do we recognize key words and phrases? Here are some simple things to look for. When you see a word or phrase repeated, you can be sure Paul is using it to make his point. In Romans, Paul frequently quotes Old Testament scripture to support his point. You may find some key words there. If you are unfamiliar with a word or its meaning, it becomes a key word for you. Take time to learn the definition so you will understand how it is being used in the sentence. List any key words and phrases you found in Romans 10:1-21 Write the definition of the following words or phrases. Use a regular dictionary or a concordance with a Greek Dictionary if you have one. confess (vs.9-10) believe (vs.9-11,14,16) saved (vs.9,13) 6
INTERPRETATION What does it mean? Look for a spiritual lesson. Be careful not to read into the Bible an idea that is not there. Examine each verse in light of the verses around it. To help you find a spiritual lesson, ask questions such as, Is there a command to obey? A promise to claim? A condition to that promise? Is there a warning to heed? An example to follow or avoid? State the lesson in one simple sentence. APPLICATION How does it apply to me? We don t study the Bible just to gather information we want to spiritually grow. Our heart needs to be open to change. The only way to move truth off the pages of your Bible and into your life is to put it into action. To apply a spiritual lesson, we must examine ourselves and take deliberate steps to do something with what we have learned. Ask yourself: Is this a new insight for me, or does it reinforce what I already know? What does it challenge me to do? Does it point out error in my attitude or actions? What changes does it require? Think of how the lesson relates to you and what specific course of action you will take. Write your application in the form of a question to make it personal. Romans 10:1-4 Lesson: Application:? Romans 10:5-13 Lesson: Application:? Romans 10:14-17 Lesson: Application:? Romans 10:18-21 Lesson: Application:? 7
Summary Write a simple sentence that summarizes what the passage is about. Give a title to the chapter that will help you personally to remember it. Take a Closer Look if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NKJ Memorize Choose the translation you prefer to memorize from and re-write the verse here. Meditate Look up. What does this verse teach you about God? (For example, look for signs of His character, His attributes, His works, His promises.) Look around. What does this verse teach you about the world and people in general? 8
Look within. What does this verse teach you about yourself? Look ahead. Does this verse give you reason to hope? Briefly share your thoughts. Look alive! Given the opportunity, how would you express the truth found in this verse to someone who needs to hear it? Make it a Prayer As you memorize and meditate on this verse, pray it back to the Lord. Let the Holy Spirit examine your heart, increase your understanding, and help you to pray. Ask Him for faith and strength to act on the truth of God s Word. This is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him. 1 John 5:14-15 NASB 9
God s Word Bearing Fruit For you, personally, what has been the most important lesson from this study? How will you put what God has shown you into practice? Something to Think About... Salvation is worth working for. It is worth a man s going round the world on his hands and knees, climbing its mountains, crossing its valleys, swimming its rivers, going through all manner of hardship in order to attain it. But we do not get it that way. It is to him who believes. - D.L. Moody - 10
Message Notes: 2008 Leah Case, All Rights Reserved 11