Romans 9:1-3; 30-33; 10:1-17 Questions
Warm up in pairs: Based on 10:15. What size shoe do you wear? Have you ever had trouble finding shoes to fit? Say anything else about your feet. Warning: Do not remove your shoes or socks in the presence of group members!
Romans 9:1-3
- What words describe the passion has for his own people the Jews to be saved? Sorrow, grief. What did he say that he was willing to do if they could be saved? Accursed and separated from Christ.
- For the sake of who? Fellow Jews described as brothers and kinsman
- What words best describe your attitude toward the lost people you know, especially your “kinsman”? Indifference, ho hum, laziness or sorrow and grief and passionate for their salvation.
- Who would your “for the sake of” include? The people in the circle of your life. Concentric Circle of Concern is a good resource for this discussion.
Romans 9:30-33
- What is the paradox of the Jews and Gentiles concerning salvation? Jews pursued it but did not obtain, but Gentiles who did not pursue did obtain it. Why? The Jews tried to achieve by keeping of the law and good works, and the Gentiles by faith.
- What or who did the Jews “stumble” over? Jesus. Most rejected him.
- Why do you think Paul quotes the Old Testament so much in these chapters? To appeal to the Jews and to see how the coming of the Messiah was clearly laid out in their very own Scriptures.
Romans 10:1-4
- What was Paul’s “heart desire and prayer”? The salvation of the Jews.
- Is your heart’s desire for the salvation of your people? What is one thing we can do to will lead to their salvation based on 10:1? Intercessory prayer in a systematic and consistent fashion. In addition, build bridges to them and share the gospel.
- Were the Jews zealous for God? Yes. Was their zeal misdirected? Yes.
- If a person is sincere today in how he can become right with God, but he has the wrong idea about doing so, will be saved? No
- If you give the wrong answers to a test in school and fail, will telling the teacher that you were sincere can the fact that you failed? Never.
- What insight does Proverbs 14:12 give us along this line of thinking? Read and discuss
Romans 10:5-8
- Why does Paul quote Deuteronomy 30:10-14? The situation that Moses was facing with the Israelites is similar to what Paul is facing here. Moses was telling the Israelites that the law was near them-it was in their mouth. So, Paul was telling the Jews here that gospel message was in their mouth and they were no need to search for him in the highest heavens or the lowest depths
- Are there people who have and still are searching for the answer to the meaning of life by traveling the world looking for a place or person who has the answer? Oh yes. Can you think of any examples?
Romans 10:9-13
- What is the meaning behind “Lord” in Jesus is Lord? The same word used for God in the LXX over six thousand times which Paul is applying to Jesus, therefore equating Jesus with God as his Son.
- The word in 10:11 translatedas not be put to shame or disappointed is referring to what? If translated as shame, it would be referring to the time of judgment. Who will be put to shame? Those who never called on the name of the Lord to be saved. If it is translated as “disappointed, “then we understand that anyone who called on Jesus to be saved has been or ever will be disappointed.
- Who does the “whoever” in 10:13 refer to? Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord, whether, Jew, Gentile, Greek, Roman, Muslim, or atheist.
Romans 10:14-17
- Is there any one link of the chain that can be left out in the chain of events that must happen for the lost to hear the Gospel? No
- Quoting from Isaiah 52:7, how does he describe the feet of those who take good news of Jesus to the lost? Beautiful. Does that refer to people who go across the world or the country or to those who go across the street to their neighbor? Both and all