Jan. 16 | Discovery

Study Questions for Groups

By Michael C. Mack

1. When and how did you sense God’s unconditional and saving love this week?

2. In what areas of your life do you find it easiest to obey God? What areas are most difficult?

Ask two people to read aloud Romans 4:1-5, 13-25 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 “aha” moment did you have as you listened to this passage being read and summarized?

4. Let’s dig deeper into the passage:

• What is the spiritual difference between working for wages and receiving a gift?

• What do you learn about Abraham in this passage?

• How are we connected to Abraham?

• We are justified (made right) with God through faith. In this passage, several other associated words and phrases are used: righteousness, belief, trust, grace, hope, giving glory to God. How is each one connected to justification by faith?

• In what ways did Jesus receive what he didn’t “deserve”?

• How have we received what we don’t “deserve”?

5. What do you learn about God from this passage?

6. What do you learn about people?

7. It’s obvious from this passage (and the Bible as a whole) that we don’t obey God to be saved. Why do Christ followers obey God?

8. “Jesus our Lord . . . was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification” (vv. 24-25). With whom will you share that clear statement of the gospel in the upcoming weeks?

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

10. In what area of your life do you need to trust God more?

For Next Week: Read and reflect on Romans 9:22-33; 11:1-6. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.