A n I n - D e p t h B o o k b y B o o k S t u d y o f t h e B i b l e Romans BIBLE STUDIES FOR THE DEAF FALL 2011
4EXPLORING)))THE)))BIBLE$ BIBLE STUDIES FOR THE DEAF FALL 2011 VOLUME 21 NUMBER 1 PRODUCTION & MINISTRY TEAM OSCAR FERNANDEZ Editorial Project Leader LAURA ALLISON Production Editor ASHLEY KRULIKOWSKI Graphic Designer ALAN RAUGHTON Lead Adult Ministry Specialist DAVID APPLE Adult Ministry Specialist MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL Bret Robbe, Director, Leadership and Adult Publishing Ken Braddy, Debbie Johnson, and Ron Keck Managing Directors, Leadership and Adult Publishing David Francis, Director, Sunday School Bill Craig, Director, Leadership and Adult Ministry Gary Hauk, Director, Publishing LifeWay Christian Resources Printed in the United States of America Send questions/comments to Editorial Project Leader, Explore the Bible: Bible Studies for the DEAF One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN 37234-0175 Or make comments on the Web at www.lifeway.com EXPLORING THE BIBLE: BIBLE STUDIES FOR THE DEAF (ISSN 0748-5360) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President, LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Copyright 2011 LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. If you need help with an order, WRITE LifeWay Church Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0113. For subscriptions, FAX (615) 251-5818 or E-MAIL subscribe@lifeway.com. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, FAX (615) 251-5933 or E-MAIL CustomerService@lifeway.com. Order ONLINE www.lifeway.com. Mail address changes to EXPLORING THE BIBLE, BIBLE STUDIES FOR THE DEAF, same address. We believe the Bible has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. The 2000 statement of THE BAPTIST FAITH AND MESSAGE is our doctrinal guideline. Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptures are quoted from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW CENTURY VERSION, Copyright 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, Dallas, Texas 75039. Used by permission.
Romans Good News for You! CONTENTS Introduction............................................ 6 Unit 1 - Do You Know the Good News? (Romans 1:1 4:25)............................. 8 Sept. 4 Good News to Tell (Romans 1:1-17)............. 10 Sept. 11 Good News to Hear (Romans 1:18 3:26)........ 17 Sept. 18 Good News to Believe (Romans 3:27 4:25)*..... 24 Unit 2 - Do You Understand the Good News? (Romans 5:1 11:36)... 31 Sept. 25 It s All About Grace (Romans 5:1-21)............ 33 Oct. 2 It s All About New Life (Romans 6:1-23)......... 40 Oct. 9 It s All About Victory (Romans 7:1-25)........... 47 Oct. 16 It s All About Certainty (Romans 8:1-39)......... 54 Oct. 23 It s All About God s Plan (Romans 9:1 11:36).... 61 Unit 3 - Do You Live by the Good News? (Romans 12:1 16:27)......................... 68 Oct. 30 Does Your Life Please God? (Romans 12:1-21)... 70 Nov. 6 Can You Be Counted On? (Romans 13:1-14)..... 77 Nov. 13 Do You Show Respect to Others? (Romans 14:1-12).............................. 84 Nov. 20 Do You Strive for Peace with Others? (Romans 14:13-23)............................. 91 Nov. 27 Does Your Life Speak Well of God? (Romans 15:1 16:27)........................... 98 FEATURES Accepting Christ?........................................ 4 How to Use the Lessons?.................................. 5 Answers to Study Questions............................ 105 Vocabulary Guide...................................... 108 Daily Bible Readings.................................... 111 Leader Guide.......................................... 114 * Evangelistic Lesson
Week of September 4, 2011 Good News to Tell Background Study Verses Romans 1:1-17 Lesson Material Romans 1:1-17 Bible Truth Christians have reasons and opportunities to tell others about the gospel. 10 Good News to Tell
What These Verses Tell Us 1. Why We Tell (1:1-7) - Paul wrote a letter to Christians in Rome. It was good news because it told about Jesus and His promise to save sinners. 2. Who We Tell (1:8-15) - Paul heard good things about the Christians in Rome. He prayed for them. He wanted to visit them. 3. What We Tell (1:16-17) - Paul was not ashamed of the good news of Christ. It was for everyone, both Jews and Gentiles. STUDY QUESTIONS 1. Who wrote this book in the Bible? 2. The good news tells about whom? 3. Was Paul proud to preach about Jesus? 4. Did Paul want to visit Rome? 5. The good news is for whom? Introduction Tom read his Bible every day. One day, he read in Matthew 9:36-38 how Jesus traveled around healing people. Jesus taught in the synagogues and told the good news of the Kingdom of God. Jesus had pity on the people because they were in need and did not know where to find help. Jesus said the harvest is great and the workers are few. Tom thought, What does that mean? Tom read some more in the Bible. He began to understand how Jesus wanted everyone to know the good news. Many people need to know about Jesus but only a few are telling them. Jesus said to pray that others would become workers for Him. Tom knew many Deaf people who did not know how to be saved. Tom put on his prayer list, Pray for people to tell the Deaf about Jesus. That became Tom s prayer every day. Week of September 4, 2011 11
Today s Lesson 1. Why We Tell (1:1-7) Verse 1. Paul introduced himself, and said he was a servant of Jesus Christ. Paul was not always a Christian. He was a Jew who persecuted Christians. Jesus Christ appeared to Paul as he traveled to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9). Jesus saved Paul and turned his life around. Paul became a follower of Jesus. He traveled to many places preaching about Jesus. When he could not visit churches, he wrote them letters. This is a letter to the Christians in Rome. Early Christians did not have the New Testament that we have. They had letters from people who knew Jesus Christ. Paul did not know Jesus when He was on earth. Paul felt he was an apostle because he saw Jesus on the road to Damascus. Paul s letters were read in the early churches to teach and encourage Christians. Both Jews and Gentiles were members in the church at Rome. Jews who lived in Rome and other countries came to Jerusalem for the annual Passover celebration. Some of them became Christians after Peter preached during Pentecost in Jerusalem (Acts 2:40). Maybe some went back to Rome and began the church there. Paul knew some of the people in the church at Rome. He named several of them in the last chapter of Romans. Are you surprised to find that some of them were relatives of Paul? Paul had finished his work in Corinth. He wanted to travel to Jerusalem to take money to the church there. Christians in the Jerusalem church were very poor. Churches in other areas took an offering for the Christians in Jerusalem. They felt they were in debt to the Christians in Jerusalem because the gospel spread from Jerusalem to the Gentile countries. Paul planned to visit Jerusalem and then the Roman Christians on the way to Spain. He wrote of his desire to visit Rome in this letter. Verses 2-4. Prophets in the Old Testament told of the Messiah. Jesus was the Messiah. His coming was good news to the world. The good news is that Jesus is God s Son. He was human, born from King David s line. As God s Son, He was divine. Jesus lived on earth as a baby, a child, and a young man. He came to save sinners. He died on the cross. He rose from death on the third day. Because Jesus lives, we will also live if we accept Him as Savior. Verse 5. God called Paul to be a follower. Paul s mission was to tell about Jesus to all people. Paul was a missionary to the Gentiles. The word Gentile means a person who is not a Jew. God s plan is for the good news of 12 Good News to Tell
Jesus, His Son, to go to both Jews and Gentiles. Paul s message was Jesus died for all people. He died for Jews, and He died for Gentiles. In the past, Paul persecuted Christians, but he changed when he met Jesus. Now he preached about Jesus. Verse 6. Paul s letter was to Christians in the city of Rome. Paul had not yet visited Rome. This letter told those Christians they belonged to Jesus. Rome was the capital of the huge Roman Empire. It was a center of learning. Rome had great military power. Christians in Rome were very different from the Romans who worshiped idols. They needed to know they were living right. They suffered terrible persecution because they believed in Jesus. They needed to be encouraged by someone like Paul. Verse 7. Christians are called to be God s holy people. Holy people means people set apart for God s EACH CHRISTIAN IS A PART work. Paul wished them grace and peace. We are saved by God s grace. Because we are saved, we have peace in life and in death. When we accept God s gift of salvation, Jesus turns our life around. Like Paul, we are responsible to tell others about Jesus. God gave Paul a specific task: to travel to Gentile countries and preach about Jesus. Our Christian responsibility may be quite different. God may ask us to travel to other countries to teach and preach. Or He may ask us to be a witness for Him in our hometown. Each Christian is a part of God s plan to bring sinners to Him. 2. Who We Tell (1:8-15) OF GOD S PLAN TO BRING SINNERS TO HIM. Verse 8. Paul thanked God for the Christians in Rome. Their faith was known over the world. What is faith? Faith comes from trusting God. Being faithful to our church and living a Christian life influences people. Christians should keep their faith strong and show it to others. Verse 9. Can you feel Paul s love for these Roman Christians? He prayed for them every day. The Christians in Rome needed the prayers of their friends. Their life was not easy. Remember to thank God for your Christian friends. Ask God to supply their needs and give them peace. Verses 10-11. Paul wanted to visit the Christians in Rome. He prayed that God would allow him to visit them. Paul wanted to give them spiritual help. Paul did go to Rome a few years after he wrote this letter, but not as he planned. He went as a Roman prisoner. Paul s journey to Rome reads like a book or a thrilling television show. It was a long trip Week of September 4, 2011 13
filled with danger. Paul was arrested. He was in a storm at sea and shipwrecked. A snake bit him, but he survived. Paul witnessed to the sailors on the ship. He healed people on the island where the shipwreck happened. You can read about his exciting and dangerous trip in Acts 27 28. Verses 12-13. Paul wanted to encourage the Roman Christians by his presence and teaching. He knew they would encourage him also. When we meet with Christians in worship and Bible study, we are inspired. We are encouraged and strengthened in faith. Paul s mission was to preach to the Gentiles. The Gentiles needed to hear about Jesus. The Gentiles needed to learn how to be good Christians. Paul taught them that God loves everyone. They did not need to be circumcised like the Jews. They only needed to accept Jesus as their Savior. Verses 14-15. Paul felt he had a duty to tell DEAF PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW THAT JESUS SAVES. people about Jesus. Why? Paul was a sinner before Jesus saved him. He knew other people needed to trust Jesus. Paul s duty was to tell others about the good news of salvation. Paul knew all people needed to be saved. This meant Jews and Gentiles, people who were educated and people who were not educated, men, women, and children. They all needed to know Jesus died for them. Christians have the responsibility to tell others about Jesus. Jesus died for all people. Our International Mission Board (IMB) missionaries go to people all over the world. They spread the good news about Jesus. Many countries overseas do not have missionaries to the Deaf. Indonesia is home to about 1.5 million Deaf. There are a few believers in Indonesia, but there are no Christian missionaries to the Deaf there. Most people in Indonesia are Muslim. It is hard for Christians to be faithful in a Muslim country. The North American Mission Board (NAMB) has missionaries in America to tell about Jesus. We are a part of their ministry when we pray. There are many cities and rural areas in America where there is no Deaf witness. Deaf people need to know that Jesus saves. They need to know about a heavenly home prepared for them when they die. Pray for more missionaries to the Deaf in America and overseas. Margaret learned that 750 Deaf people die every day. Most of them live and die without knowing Jesus. She read of many places around the world where Deaf people have no one to tell them about Jesus. Her heart was touched. She prayed and prayed for Deaf people who are not Christians. She could not go to those countries. She had a family. Her parents needed her help, too. God gave her an answer. He showed her there are many Deaf in her hometown who do not come to church. 14 Good News to Tell
Margaret started a visitation program in her church. She worked hard to find Deaf people in her town. She visited them. She encouraged other Deaf Christians to visit. Margaret felt God was pleased that she was doing all she could to tell GOD S PLAN WAS Deaf people about Jesus. Deaf Christians must witness to Deaf people. FOR ALL PEOPLE Deaf people must learn how to accept Jesus. It is our responsibility and our privilege to TO BE SAVED. witness for Jesus. 3. What We Tell (1:16-17) Verse 16. This verse is the theme of Paul s letter to the Romans. Paul was proud to preach the good news. It is powerful. It is about life on earth and about life after death. Paul suffered persecution when he preached. He was put in prison. He was never ashamed to preach about Jesus. God s plan was for all people to be saved. He sent Paul and the other disciples to tell the Gentiles about Him. There were Jews and Gentiles in the church at Rome. They needed to know that God s love and salvation was for both Jews and Gentiles. Verse 17. This verse is a quotation from Habakkuk 2:4. True life comes from trusting God. Week of September 4, 2011 15
What About You? What is your salvation experience? Are you thankful God turned your life around? You are a Christian because of God s love and grace. You have a responsibility to tell others about Jesus. Will you follow Paul s example? 1. Pray for Christians every day. 2. Show your faith by your actions. 3. Tell others the good news of Jesus, God s Son. 4. Encourage Deaf Christians. 5. Show your faith by worshiping with other Christians. If you are not a Christian, read the words on page four of this quarterly. Talk to your teacher or pastor about giving your heart and life to Jesus. Applying the Lesson Fill in the blanks for a hidden message. Key A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4, E-5, F-6, G-7, H-8, I-9, J-10, K-11, L-12, M-13, N-14, O-15, P-16, Q-17, R-18, S-19, T-20, U-21, V-22, W-23, X-24, Y-25, Z-26. 20 8 5 7 15 15 4 14 5 23 19 9 19 1 2 15 21 20 7 15 4 19 19 15 14 10 5 19 21 19 3 8 18 9 19 20 15 21 18 12 15 18 4 If you believe that statement is important, write in the blank the name of one person you will tell the good news to this week. A Verse to Remember: I am not ashamed of the Good News, because it is the power God uses to save everyone who believes to save the Jews first, and then to save non-jews (Romans 1:16). 16 Good News to Tell
4EXPLORE)))THE)))BIBLE$ BIBLE STUDIES FOR THE DEAF LEADER FALL 2011 ROMANS Romans BIBLE STUDIES FOR THE DEAF FALL 2011
FALL 2011 BIB L E S T U D I E S F O R T H E D E A F CONTENTS Introduction...114 UNIT 1 - Do You Know the Good News? (Romans 1:1 4:25)...116 W E E K O F Sept. 4 Good News to Tell (Romans 1:1-17)...117 Sept. 11 Good News to Hear (Romans 1:18 3:26)...119 Sept. 18 Good News to Believe (Romans 3:27 4:25)*...121 UNIT 2 - Do You Understand the Good News? (Romans 5:1 11:36)....123 W E E K O F Sept. 25 It s All About Grace (Romans 5:1-21)...124 Oct. 2 It s All About New Life (Romans 6:1-23)...126 Oct. 9 It s All About Victory (Romans 7:1-25)...128 Oct. 16 It s All About Certainty (Romans 8:1-39)...130 Oct. 23 It s All About God s Plan (Romans 9:1 11:36)...132 UNIT 3 - Do You Live by the Good News? (Romans 12:1 16:27)....134 W E E K O F Oct. 30 Does Your Life Please God? (Romans 12:1-21)...135 Nov. 6 Can You Be Counted On? (Romans 13:1-14).......... 137 Nov. 13 Do You Show Respect to Others? (Romans 14:1-12)..139 Nov. 20 Do You Strive for Peace with Others? (Romans 14:13-23) 141 Nov. 27 Does Your Life Speak Well of God? (Romans 15:1 16:27) 143 * Evangelistic Lesson
Week of September 4, 2011 Good News to Tell Background Study Outline 1. Why We Tell (Romans 1:1-7) 2. Who We Tell (1:8-15) 3. What We Tell (1:16-17) Lesson Material 1. Why We Tell (Romans 1:1-7) 2. Who We Tell (1:8-15) 3. What We Tell (1:16-17) Bible Truth Christians have reasons and opportunities to tell others about the gospel. The Bible in Context (Romans 1:1) The gospel is the good news about Jesus Christ. It includes the full story of God s salvation given to us through the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul said, Telling the good news is my duty something I must do (1 Corinthians 9:16). The word gospel comes from two old English words, god spell meaning good message. The Greek word is evangelion from which we get the word evangelism. The gospel comes with power (Hebrews 4:2-3) to those who believe it. The four New Testament books are called the Gospels because they tell the story of Jesus life, death, burial, and resurrection. Explore... Brothers and Sisters (Romans 1:13) Paul calls the Christians in Rome his brothers and sisters. James used the words brothers and sisters often when he wrote (James 2:1). Brotherly love means to treat others as if they were a part of our family. A church should be filled with this brotherly love (1 Thessalonians 4:9, Romans 12:10). Our souls must be pure to have this brotherly love (1 Peter 1:22). Week of September 4, 2011 119
STEP ONE OVERVIEW * Review the introduction to the Book of Romans in this Leader Guide and in the pupil material. Encourage class members to study this. * Make the lesson come alive! Ask what kinds of good news class members have had recently a birth or marriage announcement, an increase in wages, children s school report cards, etc. These lessons from Romans are not just about good news; they are about the best news! * The title and theme of today s lesson is Good News to Tell. Discuss how much we like to tell good news to someone. We often say, This is something too good to keep! STEP TWO WHY WE TELL (ROMANS 1:1-7) * Ask someone ahead of time to discuss the term gospel from The Bible in Context, above, and other resources from the church library. * Note the title for this section. Ask class members to look at these verses and answer the question, Why do we tell the good news about Jesus? (v. 1, God chose Paul to tell the good news about who Jesus is and how Jesus saved him.) STEP THREE WHO WE TELL (1:8-15) * Ask someone ahead of time to review the discussion of brothers and sisters from Explore, above, and other resources. Does anyone in your church call another member Brother Bob? Ask class members to answer the question, Who do we tell? (v. 14, all people.) STEP FOUR WHAT WE TELL (1:16-17) *Ask, What do we Tell? (v.16, the good news of Jesus). * Ask someone to sign verse 16. Encourage discussion of why it is difficult to witness. Why are we shy about telling the good news? Does that mean we are ashamed of the gospel? * Note that throughout this letter, Paul comes back to this idea of the gospel for Jews and Gentiles (Greeks). That was one of the problems he knew about in Rome. The Jews said the Gentiles must first become a Jew (become circumcised). The Gentiles believed they did not need to do that. STEP FIVE - CONCLUSION * Review the lesson using What These Verses Tell Us. * Encourage class members to read the first three chapters of Romans several times this week. As they read, pray that God will give them understanding. *Close with prayer for class members to have more courage in witnessing. 120 Good News to Tell