The book of Romans can be used as a guide to doctrine and Christian living. It was through the book of Romans that John Wesley, in May 1738, had his Aldersgate Experience.
“About a quarter before nine, while [the reader] was describing the change wherein God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone, for salvation; and an assurance was given that he had taken my sins, even mine; and saved me from the law of sin and death.”
Today, if not more than ever, Romans is applicable. There is a wealth of knowledge in the book of Romans, yet Paul wanted more than to just fill pages with theological insight and doctrinal truths. He wanted to provide practical guidance so that we would increase obedience which in turn would lead us to be more Christ-like.
After our initial reading of Romans, the class was then instructed to read through it again and answer the following questions. Take some time to reread Romans and journal your answers to the questions below. Perhaps you can experience your own Aldersgate Experience just as John Wesley did.
What was Paul’s main petition to God regarding the Romans? Why did he want that?
Romans 1:16-17
Why did Paul say he wasn’t ashamed of the gospel?
Romans 2:5-11
What are the verdicts that God will deliver in His final judgment, and who will receive them?
Romans 3:9-20
According to Paul’s arguments, can anyone be justified by their own merit (through good works)?
Romans 3:21-26
Why does a person need to be justified by God? How does it work?
Romans 4:1-5
How was Abraham justified? Was justification different in the Old Testament compared to the New Testament?
Romans 5:1-2
What is the result of being justified by faith in Christ Jesus?
Romans 5:6-10
How did God, the Father, show His love for us?
Romans 5:18-19
What were the consequences of Adam’s sin and Jesus’s death to human beings?
Romans 6:3-13
What does the baptism represent for us, believers, regarding the death of Jesus Christ? How does that affect our lives?
Romans 6:22-23
What is the consequence of sin? And what is the free gift of God for those who were made free from sin by Him?
Romans 7:14-25
How is the struggle that Paul describes of a sinner who knows the Law of God but still sins?
Romans 8:1-4
Who is free of condemnation? Why?
Romans 8:13-16,26-27
What does the Holy Spirit do for the children of God?
Romans 8:28-29
What do those verses teach us about God’s purpose for us?
Romans 8:33-39
After we are justified by God, can anyone still bring a charge against us? Can anyone or anything separate us from the love of Jesus Christ?
Romans 9:18-22
What do those verses teach us about the sovereignty of God?
Romans 10:9-17
How can anyone receive the saving faith and believe in Jesus?
Romans 11:11-24
What did the casting away of the unbelieving Jews from Israel mean for the Gentiles? Explain the illustration of the olive tree.
Romans 12:1-2
What kind of sacrifice should we present to God? And how can we prove the will of God?
Romans 12:4-8
What does Paul mean when he compares believers to members of a body? What does it have to do with the gifts God gives us?
Romans 13:1-7
How should a Christian deal with the civil government and authorities?
Romans 14:1-23 and 15:1-2
Regarding Christian liberty, what are Paul’s instructions to the weak brother and the strong brother in faith?
Romans 15:22-25,28
What was Paul’s plan regarding going to Rome? Did he make it?