Grow Guide | April 302023
Through Faith For Faith
4th Sunday of Easter
Romans 3:21-28
Connecting Questions
What’s a favorite gift you have given?
What’s a memorable gift you have received?
Prayer for Illumination
Let us pray, Loving God, we pause today grateful for this next breath. We are grateful for the chance to connect with others today no matter how simple the experience. Open your Word to us. Open our hearts to let your word speak to us and change our lives. We pray in the name of the Risen Jesus, Amen.
Context
This Sunday is the 4th Sunday of the Easter season, and we are continuing our series on the book of Romans. Through Faith for Faith will help you discover life giving promises in this important book. For six weeks, we’ll open up this letter a piece at a time and you’ll discover why Martin Luther said:
This epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament, and is truly the purest gospel. It is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but also that they should occupy themselves with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul. We can never read it or ponder over it too much; for the more we deal with it, the more precious it becomes and the better it tastes.
Don’t miss Pastor Erik’s first sermon in the series. He gives some helpful foundations on Romans and his sermon can be found at Easter.org/worship
From Pastor Arland Hultgren at EntertheBible.org, a summary of Romans:
The Apostle writes the longest of his letters to a community of Christians in Rome, announcing that he plans to visit them, to be mutually encouraged, and to be sent on by them to Spain. To accomplish the goal of having the support of the Roman Christians, Paul sets forth an account of the gospel that he preaches–particularly about the saving work of God in Christ–and spells out its implications for the Christian life. In addition, he writes concerning the salvation of the Jewish people, discusses some particulars of Christian conduct (life under the Roman government, living together during disagreements, and fulfilling the law of love). He speaks of his plans for travel as an apostle and sends greetings by name to some twenty-six persons known to him in Rome.
Look at the Book
Read Romans 3:21-28. Take a moment and circle all the words that are churchy and feel difficult to define. Compare with what a neighbor circled.
Romans 3:21 introduces us to an important phrase “the righteousness of God.” What do you think that means?
“Righteousness of God” could also be called “God’s saving power.” Whose power is it and why does that matter? As Christians, who happen to be Lutheran, we care deeply about keeping God’s work and our work separate.
When Paul talks about “Law,” what is he referring to? Talk about a rule that has been helpful in your life. Paul cares deeply about the Law and the prophets. They have and continue to help guide the Jewish people in faith, life and practice.
Verse 23 is powerful and familiar. How would you say it in your own words? “Glory of God” is not in our everyday speech; yet, what do you think it means?
Verse 24 is an answer to the problem posed in verse 23. Justification is a word that Luther said on which the church stands or falls. “Making right with” God is powerful, but is that something we do? Why is that truth so bothersome to us?
Circle the word “gift.” What do you think that means? Gift is the central word to this entire passage. Who is giving the gift? Why does that matter?
Underline this entire verse: 28 For we hold that a person is justified by faith apart from works prescribed by the law. This verse changed Martin Luther’s life and it can change yours. Put this verse in your own words.
What do you want to talk about that has not been brought up yet?
Taking it Home
Justification by faith centers God as the one doing the work. God is doing the forgiving of sin. Tell about a time you tried to justify yourself and it didn’t work.
“For all have sinned,” is not just about our individual sins, but shared communal ones as well. Give an example of “communal” sin and what may be some ways you work for the healing of the world God loves.
