Grow Guide | May 14, 2023

Through Faith, For Faith

6th Sunday of Easter

Romans 5:1-11

Connecting Questions

·      What’s a place or sound that you find peaceful?

·      What place is on your mind right now because of a lack of peace?

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 6th Sunday of the Easter season, and we are continuing our series on the book of Romans. Through Faith For Faith is about remembering that all verbs of faith truly belong to God. God forgives; God creates; God empowers; God gifts you to work for justice and peace. For six weeks, we’ll open up this important letter a piece at a time and you’ll discover why Martin Luther said:

Hence it comes that faith alone makes righteous and fulfills the law; for out of Christ’s merit, it brings the Spirit, and the Spirit makes the heart glad and free, as the law requires that it shall be. Thus good works come out of faith.

According to Luther, what makes us righteous (above)? Why is that so unbelievable?

What does Luther say about the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives?

Don’t miss Pastor Erik’s sermon in the series. He gives some helpful windows into Romans and his sermon can be found at Easter.org/worship

From EntertheBible.org, a summary of Justification by Faith

This theme is probably the first that comes to mind for many when they think of Romans (and the same is true of Paul’s letter to the Galatians). It is a major theme, emphasized strongly at Romans 3:21-26, 28, 30; 5:1. All of chapter 4 is about justification by faith in the case of Abraham and the implications that flow from it for those who share the faith of Abraham. Justification by faith means that one is justified (set in a right relationship) with God purely on the basis of one’s trust (or faith) in the promises of God, and not by efforts known as doing the works of the law. 

Look at the Book

• Read Romans 5:1-11

• Take a moment and circle the words “justification” and “faith.” Which one appears more? Why? Compare with a neighbor.

  • Romans 5:1 starts with the results of our being “justified by faith.” Underline the second half of verse. What do we also receive?

  • “Peace with God” can be thought of in two ways. Peace between God and us because of sin or peace shared between God and us because that’s what God wants for us despite a world infected by sin. Which resonates with you?

  • In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, I am the gate. Here Paul refers to Jesus as someone through whom we have “obtained access” to God’s grace. Talk or write about a “door” you stepped through, upon looking back you see God’s presence.

  • Verse 3, Paul talks about “boasting in sufferings.” What nonsense is that?

  • Read through verse 5. Paul is making the case that suffering does not disappear by becoming a follower of Jesus. He says something else happens. What do you sense Paul is trying to tell us?

  • Verse 8 is the heart of this passage, this book, and the Gospel. Underline it and try to commit it to memory. What is Paul saying in your own words?

  • Verse 9 brings up the “wrath of God.” Well, that’s scary. Pastor Arland Hultgren at EntertheBible.org offers us this: The wrath of God is mentioned twelve times in Romans (1:18; 2:5 [twice], 8; 3:5; 4:15; 5:9; 9:22 [twice]; 12:19; 13:4, 5) and three times elsewhere by Paul (1 Thessalonians 1:10; 2:16; 5:9). Usually Paul says that God’s wrath will be revealed at the last day as punitive judgment (Romans 2:5, 8; 3:5; 5:9; 9:22; 1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9), but he also says that it can be seen already in the effects of the law (that is, divine judgment, as in Romans 4:15) and in the punishment of wrongdoers by temporal rulers (Romans 13:4-5). What does that fuller definition make you think about in light of verse 8?

  • What word shows up most in verses 10-11? Circle them and compare with a neighbor.

  • Reconciliation means bringing things together that were broken. What is something in your life that needs reconciliation? In the larger world? What makes this good news for people with broken relationships in their lives?

  • What do you want to talk about that has not been brought up yet? 

Taking it Home

Name one local ministry partner at Easter. How does our partnership with them help realize God’s reconciling work in the world?

We long for peace. How might you share, in your own words, the way Jesus brings peace to your life to someone who might ask you?