Romans Week 2

Week 2 –
Romans 1: 1- 15 (with focus on v 1-6)
Key details:
BSG Social Event
Bible Talks
East End Tues and Wed 1pm.
West End: MNM 5-8 pm (dinner and BSG all in one!)
John 6:1-15, 25-40 ‘Why Believe in Jesus? Because he fulfils my spiritual needs’
 
ALPHA: Get in contact with staffworker Lachie, if you or a friend wants to explore Christian ideas through the Alpha course.
Reminder that all things at ES are open to any North Terrace uni student. #wanttocome
Podcast or Youtube recommendation: Romans https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/romans-1-4/
INTRO  (10min for questions 1-3 )
 
Question:  What groups do you currently belong to?

PRAY - Based on Isaiah 55 1-10
Father God we know that our thoughts are not your thoughts, our ways are not your ways, and so we give thanks that you have revealed yourself in your Word.  We thank you that  your Word will always achieve your intended purpose.  Please use this time together, with the help of your Word and by your Spirit,  to teach us more about you and your Son.  Amen
READ- Romans 1:1-15
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead:Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people:
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.
11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,  that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles. 14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.
 
 
CONTEXT - The literary, historical or situational context from the passage (3 mins)

1. If this is a timeline for significant God moments in history (or salvation history), put an “x” for where the book of Romans fits.   

Creation_Fall___Abraham___David________________Jesus___Pentecost________New Creation
What do you learn about the circumstances of the author and why he might be writing?
OBSERVATION -  The facts we find from the passage (10 mins)
 

2. With particular focus on v 1-6, divide into two groups to answer one of these questions, and then report back to the wider group.

Group 1:
What facts can you discover about the gospel (the good news)? Does anything surprise you or confuse you?
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Group 2:
What do you learn about Jesus from this passage ? Does anything surprise you or confuse you?
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MEANING- Generally interpreting and integrating the facts from this passage  (10min)

3. In the opening verses, Paul makes it very clear that Jesus is at the centre of the gospel.  And he links the gospel with the Old Testament (v 2, 3).  Why does Paul make a link with the Old Testament at the start?

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4. The gospel Paul shares requires a response.  As Paul shares the gospel with the Gentiles (anyone who is not a Jew), he is calling them to obedience that comes through faith (v5) and to belong (v 6).

Divide into two groups and answer one question each, then report back:
 Group 1: Not everyone feels comfortable with the word “obedience.” It can have quite a negative connotation.  What could  ‘a call to obedience from faith’ mean and why is it a good thing? 
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Group 2: How would you explain the how and why of  belonging to Jesus? What help does this passage (particularly v1-6) provide to show that belonging to Jesus is a great thing?
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5. Paul has a number of facts to say about the gospel. Create a hashtag (or emoji) to sum up the key element(s) you have learned from v1-6.

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APPLICATION - The impact this is going to have on my week (10min)
 

6. If 1 = not excited at all and 10 = could not be more excited, where do you place your feelings about being obedient to and belonging to Jesus as you start out your uni time?

1….....2……..3……..4…….5……..6…….7…….8……..9…….10        
What stops you from being a different number (either higher or lower)? 
Are there particular questions, concerns, obstacles you have?
What could help you take one step forward (unless you are at 10)
 
PRAYER (5 mins)
 
Prayer in response to the passage 
Thank you Father that in Jesus  …………………………………………………………..
Sorry Father  for when ……………………………………………………………………..
Please help me  to ………………………………………………………………………….
Prayer for ES: that we would be engage with the gospel and faithful as we reach the 35,000 undergrads on Nth terrace with good news of Jesus.
Prayer for outside of ES: Thank you God that groups like ES can be found around Australia (AFES) and the world (IFES).  We pray for brothers and sisters who study at ………………………., that they will keep preaching the gospel about Jesus Christ and that many respond to the call of obedience through faith and belonging.
(See ifesworld.org for more information.)