Jan. 2 | Discovery

Study Questions for Groups

By Michael C. Mack

1. Where did you find hope last week?

2. During the past week, in what way were you able to tell someone about the eternal hope you have because Jesus died on the cross for you?

Ask two people to read aloud Romans 1:18-32 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask a third person to restate the passage in their own words in a minute or less.

3. What is your initial reaction to this passage?

4. Let’s dig deeper:

• What is being revealed and made plain/clear to people?

• What is the effect of this realization?

• Four times in this passage, the apostle Paul discussed the fact that the people knew God (knowledge) and the truth about him (vv. 21, 25, 28, 32). How do these “refrains” help us understand the purpose for this section?

• Why is it important for Christ followers to glorify God and give him thanks?

• Three times this passage says “God gave them over” to sinful behaviors (vv. 24, 26, 28). This means, says Warren W. Wiersbe in The Bible Exposition Commentary, “that He permitted them to go on in their sins and reap the sad consequences.” (God always gives us free choices, regardless of the outcomes.) What are some of the sad consequences of our bad choices?

• How does the anger of a holy, just God fit in with his love for the world?

• Let’s ask that from a slightly different viewpoint. Recognizing that God’s love prompted him to send Jesus to the world to save us from our sins, how does God’s love and mercy work alongside his justice and wrath?

5. What do you learn about God as both a God of love and justice from this passage?

6. What do you learn about humans?

7. What do you learn about obeying God versus disobeying him (and their repercussions)?

8. How would you include God’s holiness and justice when you share the Good News with someone?

9. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”

10. In what area of your life do you need God’s unconditional and saving love this week?

For Next Week: Read and reflect on Romans 2:1-16 as we study the book of Romans and the topic, “Righteous.” You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.