Our identity is secure because of His pursuit of us, not because of our pursuit of God.įinally, we are saints. When we cry out to God for salvation, it’s because He first calls out to us. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezek. As He promised Ezekiel, “And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. As He pursues us with His grace, God calls each of us in different ways. Jesus told His listeners, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him” (John 6:44). Just as Jesus called His disciples to come and follow Him, God calls each of us to a new life. Nothing can separate us from His love-neither death nor life, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation (8:38–39). We can live with hopeful confidence, knowing that God’s redemptive love for us is independent of our actions. In the midst of our waywardness and rebellion, He chose to love us. Paul tells us, “But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (5:8). He loved each of us when we were enemies of God, dead in our trespasses and sins. He loves us not because we are worthy of His love nor because He looked into the future and saw the amazing things we would accomplish. The infinite, all-knowing God, the Creator of the universe, the One who reigns forever and ever, loves us. His greeting to the Romans highlights three important aspects of our identity as believers.įirst, we are beloved. When Paul writes to the church in Rome, he greets them with these words: “To all in Rome who are loved by God, and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ” (Rom. Who we understand ourselves to be matters in how we live our lives. The child who’s told time and again, “You’ll never amount to anything,” “You’re stupid,” or “You’re the black sheep of this family,” will often grow up to fulfill those very stereotypes. Do love them by following the example of Christ.The messages we receive about our identity shape our lives in powerful ways. Don’t despise or judge other Christians or tempt them to sin. How should I treat believers who are different from me?Ī. I am to put on Christ and avoid those things that tempt me to sin. I am to submit to the government because it is under God’s authority, and I owe love to others. How am I to relate to government, and what do I owe to Christ and others?Ī. God’s Word renews my mind and the Holy Spirit transforms me to grow in Christ-likeness. Because of God’s mercies, it is reasonable to give myself to him as a living sacrifice. Scripture: Romans 9–11 UNIT 5: Service (3 weeks) Session 11Ī. If I am trusting in Christ alone for salvation, then I can know that God has chosen me-not because of anything I have done-but because he has shown me mercy. Scripture: Romans 8:28–39 UNIT 4: Sovereignty (1 week) Session 10Ī. ![]() No one can be against us or separate us from God’s love. God works everything together for good in our lives. If God is for us, who can be against us?Ī. The Holy Spirit is the power source to live as a Christian. There is a war between the remnant of my old self and the new nature that the Spirit has given me.Ī. ![]() Yes! Because of my union with Christ, I should consider myself dead to sin and alive to Christ, presenting every part of my being to him as an instrument of righteousness.Ī. Scripture: Romans 5 UNIT 3: Sanctification (4 weeks) Session 6Ī. Since God has justified us, we have peace with God and much, much more. No, God justifies me by his grace through faith in Christ alone.Ī. Can’t I earn my salvation by doing good works?Ī. Scripture: Romans 3 UNIT 2: Salvation (2 weeks) Session 4 Yes, because Christ died as my substitute and God declares me not guilty. God’s wrath is revealed against the wicked, including the self-righteous.Ī. Rebellion against God is the root cause of the world’s problems. ![]() Yes, the gospel matters because it is God’s powerful plan to save all who put their trust in Christ.Ī. You may also fill out our online evaluation form here after leading the study. Already leading this study? Click here for extra resources and ideas!
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