Romans 1:1 - 3:20
Living in a Sick World

      Romans is generally held to be written by Paul from Corinth to the Roman church about 56 or 57 A.D. The purpose to the letter seems to be: 1. to emphasize the fundamentals of the gospel; 2. to explain the unbelief of Israel; and 3. to urge the reader to enter into the full Christian life.
      Theme: Romans 1:16 & 17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith."

1. How does Paul portray himself and Christ in the salutation in Romans 1:1-7?
   
   

2. In verse 7 Paul extends grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ to the saints in Rome. What is a saint according to the Biblical definition? Site scriptures.
   
   

3. Paul said the faith of the Roman church was proclaimed throughout all the world. Discuss why we should be concerned with what others think of us as individuals or as a church?
   
   

4. Romans 1:16 & 17 have been called the theme of Romans. What is the gospel? What three facts are contained in the gospel (see I Corinthians 15:1-4)? Why was Paul not ashamed of the gospel? What should our attitude be towards the gospel and sharing it with others?
   
   

5. What truth about Himself did God reveal to the Gentiles? In what manner did He show them this truth and for how long? Why were the Gentiles said to be "without excuse?" How does that apply to us today?
   
   

6. It is stated in verse 25 that "they exchanged the truth of God for a lie..." What was the truth and what was the lie? Why did God give them up?
   
   

7. Romans 1:32 states, "who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." In what ways could we be guilty of approving of those who practice sin?

List the spiritual symptoms and prognosis for the following:

1:18-22          the heathen Gentile
      symptoms:   verse 21                 verse 22
                  verse 23                 verse 25
                  verse 26 & 27            verse 28
     Diagnosis:   Sin - Guilty before God
     Prognosis:   verse 24, 26 & 28
                  verse 32


2:1-16          the moralist  (Jew or Gentile)
      symptoms:   verse 1                  verse 5
                  verse 8
     Diagnosis:   Sin - Guilty before God
     Prognosis:   verse 3                  verse 5
                  verse 8                  verse 9

2:17 - 3:8          the Jew under the Mosaic Law
      symptoms:   verse 17                 verse 21
                  verse 22                 verse 23
                  verse 25                 verse 29
     Diagnosis:   Sin - Guilty before God
     Prognosis:   verse 27                 verse 8

3:9-20          All mankind
      symptoms:   verse 10                 verse 11
                  verse 12                 verse 13
                  verse 14                 verse 15
                  verse 18
     Diagnosis:   Sin - Guilty before God
     Prognosis:   verse 19

Women IN God's Service

The Study of Romans - "Living in a Sick World" (lesson 1)
Ladies Bible Class Lesson, 4 January 2000
West-Ark Church of Christ, Fort Smith, Arkansas

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