Watch a two minute overview of Romans Chapter 4
Dig In:
Passage: Romans 4
Dig Deeper:
Chapter Summary
v1-8 - Paul uses the example of Abraham to show that salvation is for all people, not just God's special people. Abraham wasn't saved because he performed a certain ceremony or followed certain rules, rather, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness (v3, Genesis 15:6)." This has massive implications for you. Although there's definitely value in attending church and living a godly life, these are not the things that saves you. God gives you the righteousness you need to live with Him simply through faith. Reread v7-8 thanking God for what He's done for you!
v9-15 - The example of how faith was credited to Abraham through faith and not through following specific rules is continued to emphasize that all people, not just those of Jewish descent, have the ability to be God's people.
v16-17- Key in on the awesome description of who God is in v17:
God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
v18-25 - These verses show why it is that righteousness - the one thing you need more than anything else, because it's what your holy God demands of you - can be credited to you just by you trusting in Him because of what Jesus accomplished (v25).
Old Testament Reference -
Genesis 15:1-18 tells of the covenant that God made with Abraham that you are now included in through your faith
Psalm 32 is quoted in v7-8 to describe the peace and freedom that come from having your sins forgiven.
Discuss:
Use the comment box below to discuss one or more of these questions. For every comment or reply you post, you will receive an entry for this month's prize: a gift certificate to Lakeside Deli. Congratulations to Lisa Sampson for winning the February Contest!
Summarize this chapter in a sentence or two.
If you had only Abraham’s example in this chapter to go by, how would you define the word faith?
Which phrase did you choose to dwell on yesterday? Did your understanding of that phrase change throughout the day? How did God speak to you as you thought about those words while going about your regular activities?
NEW:
Dwell:
Keep one of these phrases in your mind throughout the day and come back to it often, asking God to speak to you through these words:
v5 - trust God who justifies the ungodly
v16 - the promise comes by faith
v23-24 - these words were written for you
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not (v17)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Ask God to strengthen the faith that He's given to you
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
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