Romans

Romans: Unpacking God’s Amazing Plan

Imagine a letter written almost 2,000 years ago that still speaks to us today about the most important things in life: faith, hope, and love. That’s the book of Romans!

Who Wrote It?

A man named Paul, who had a dramatic change of heart from persecuting Christians to becoming one of their greatest leaders. He wanted to share the amazing news of Jesus with everyone, including the people in Rome.

What’s It About?

Romans is like a road map to God’s plan for saving the world. It covers some big topics:

• Everyone Needs God: We all fall short of God’s perfect standard, no matter how hard we try.
• God’s Free Gift: Jesus’ death on the cross was a sacrifice to pay the price for our mistakes, a gift we could never earn.
• Faith is Key: Believing in Jesus and what he did for us is how we get connected to God and receive his forgiveness.
• New Life in Christ: When we believe in Jesus, we’re not just forgiven, we get a whole new life with God’s Spirit helping us.
• Living for God: Our faith isn’t just about believing; it’s about living a life that shows our love for God and others.

Why Should You Care?

Romans gives us answers to some of life’s biggest questions:

• Why is there so much wrong in the world?
• How can I be forgiven for my mistakes?
• What’s the point of life?
• How can I have a relationship with God?
• What does it mean to live a good life?

Plus, it helps us understand who Jesus is and why his message is so important.

Study Questions to Think About

1. What does Romans teach us about human nature and our need for God?
2. How does Romans explain how we can be made right with God?
3. What difference does believing in Jesus make in our lives, according to Romans?
4. How does Romans challenge us to live differently?
5. What part of Romans speaks to you the most? Why?

Challenge

Read a chapter of Romans each day and think about how it applies to your life. Talk to a trusted adult about what you’re learning, and ask God to help you understand his amazing plan for you!

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Paul’s primary theme in Romans is presenting the gospel (the “good news”), God’s plan of salvation and righteousness for all humankind, Jew and non-Jew alike.

The scope or design of the apostle in writing to the Romans appears to have been, to answer the unbelieving, and to teach the believing Jew; to confirm the Christian and to convert the idolatrous Gentile; and to show the Gentile convert as equal with the Jewish, in respect of his religious condition, and his rank in the Divine favour. These several designs are brought into one’s view, by opposing or arguing with the infidel or unbelieving Jew, in favour of the Christian or believing Gentile. The way of a sinner’s acceptance with God, or justification in his sight, merely by grace, through faith in the righteousness of Christ, without distinction of nations, is plainly stated. This doctrine is cleared from the objections raised by Judaizing Christians, who were for making terms of acceptance with God by a mixture of the law and the gospel, and for shutting out the Gentiles from any share in the blessings of salvation brought in by the Messiah. In the conclusion, holiness is further enforced by practical exhortations.

Matthew Henry