OC Bereans

Gentlemen,

The following questions on Romans chapter 10 will aid your preparation for our discussion Monday evening.

• Like Paul, do you pray for lost family members on a regular basis?  (v. 1)
• Think of contemporary examples of people who are zealous and/or sincere about religious things, but without knowledge.  (v. 2)
• How had the Jews sought to “establish their own” righteousness?  (v. 3)
• In what ways is Christ the “end of the law for righteousness”?  (v. 4)
• What Mosaic passage does Paul reference here?  (v. 5)
• Does Paul suggest a “formula for spirituality” in vv. 9-10?
• Identify Paul’s source for v. 11.
• Identify Paul’s source for v. 13.
• Identify Paul’s quotes from Isaiah and Moses in vv. 16-21.

A handout for Romans 10:1-21 is available for download at the Media Drop Box on the right-side toolbar.

Bob is bringing one of his “signature desserts” … which will be served at 7 pm … the study starts shortly after that.

~ tr

Gentlemen,

As we continue through this difficult portion of Romans, specifically 9:19-33, use these questions to aid your preparation.

1. Have you ever resisted God’s will?
2. From where in the O.T. does Paul draw this analogy in vv. 20-21?
3. Can you cite an example from the O.T. when God “endured with much patience vessels of wrath”?  (v. 22)
4. What is the context of Hosea’s quote in vv. 25-26?
5. What is the context of Isaiah’s quotes in vv. 27-29?
6. Review … How did Gentiles “attain righteousness”?  (v. 30)
7. Who is the “stumbling stone” or “rock of offense” in vv. 32-33?

A handout for Romans 9:19-33 is available for download at the Media Drop Box on the right-side toolbar.

Dessert will be served at 7 pm, followed by our study!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

The following questions will introduce you to a challenging, three-chapter section of Romans:

• When is the last time you felt Paul’s emotions toward members of your extended family?  (9:2-3)
• Enumerate the inherent blessings of Jews.  (9:4-5)
• What is the O.T. context for Paul’s argument beginning in 9:7?
• If you were Tertius, reading this letter to the Romans for the first time, how would you answer the audience’s questions in 9:14?
• What does 9:16 teach us about our salvation?

A handout for Romans 9:1-18 is available for download at the Media Drop Box on the right-side toolbar.

Dessert will be served at 7 pm, followed by our study!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

On Monday night, we will conclude our 3-week glance at Romans chapter 8.  Use the following questions to help your preparation for our discussion of vv. 28-39.

1. Define “predestination.” What other Scriptures support this concept?
2. Do you think Paul purposely included a progression of events in v. 30?
3. Identify a time or instance in your life when you had to claim v. 31.
4. Who else in now interceding for us, in addition to the Holy Spirit (noted in v. 26)?  (v. 34)
5. What is the O.T. context of Paul’s quote in v. 36?
6. Define “principalities.”  (v. 38)

A handout for Romans 8:28-39 is available for download at the Media Drop Box on the right-side toolbar.

In addition, Rick (just back from Rwanda) will report on how God has been changing him as a result of this missions trip.

We will start at 7 pm with dessert … followed by Rick’s report … followed by the study!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Romans chapter 8 is so rich and full, we must divide it into “bite-size” sections.  The following questions will aid your preparation for Monday’s study of vv. 18-27

• What “sufferings” might Paul be referring to?  (v. 18)
• How/when does creation “anxiously long”?  (v. 19)
• When will the sons of God be “revealed”?  (v. 19)
• When was creation subjected to “slavery to corruption”?  (v. 21)
• Describe instances of creation “groaning” and “suffering.”  (v. 22)
• When/how do we “groan within ourselves”?  (v. 23)
• Describe an instance when the Holy Spirit may have interceded for you with “groanings too deep for words.”  (v. 26)

A handout for Romans 8:18-27 is available for download at the Media Drop Box on the right-side toolbar.

Arrive by 7 pm for dessert … followed by the study!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

After sinking into a slough of confusion, doubt and despair in the previous chapter, the apostle Paul now ascends to one of the highest peaks in the New Testament:  Romans 8.

One 19th Century theologian (Godet) calls this the “Holy of Holies of the Word of God”!

Use these questions to help prepare you for Monday night’s study of Romans 8:1-17.

1. Identify additional biblical support for Paul’s claim that there is “no condemnation.” (v. 1)
2. What truths about the “Incarnation” are revealed in v. 3?
3. What does Paul mean by the phrase, “set their minds on …”?  (v. 5)
4. Think about ways you have been “hostile toward God.” (v. 7)
5. What is Paul referencing when he writes that “we are under obligation”?  (v. 12)
6. How might we be “putting to death the deeds of the body”?  (v. 13)
7. Identify additional biblical support for this “spirit of adoption.” (v. 15)
8. Why is the cry “Abba! Father!” significant?  (v. 15)
9. In what ways has the Holy Spirit “testified” with your spirit that you are a child of God?  (v. 16)
10. Meditate on the idea of being “fellow heirs with Christ.” (v. 17)

A handout for Romans 8:1-17 is available for download at the Media Drop Box on the right-side toolbar.

Arrive by 7 pm for dessert … followed by the study!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Here are questions to aid your preparation for Monday night’s Bible study on Romans 7:14-25

• In this section (vv. 14-23), is Paul describing his experience before or after conversion?
• Describe how the “Law is spiritual.”  (v. 14)
• When and how was Paul (we) “sold into bondage to sin”?  (v. 14)
• By doing things that Paul would rather avoid, how does this demonstrate that the “Law is good”?  (v. 16)
• In vv. 17 and 20, is this a “cop-out”? … Is Paul refusing to take responsibility for his actions?
• In light of the overall context of chapters 6 and 7, why is the phrase “waging war” significant?  (v. 23)
• Can you identify with the cry of Paul’s heart in v. 24?

A handout for Romans 7:14-25 is available for download at the Media Drop Box on the right-side toolbar.

Dessert will be served at 7 pm … followed by our study!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Use these nine questions to help prepare for Monday night’s study of Romans 7:1-13

1. To whom in Paul’s audience is he primarily speaking in these verses?
2. What does Paul’s analogy in vv. 2-3 teach us about the pact of marriage?
3. What does Paul mean in v. 4 by “bearing fruit for God”?
4. Why does Paul change the personal pronouns of v. 4 from “you” to “we”?
5. How are “sinful passions … aroused by the law”?  (v. 5)
6. In what ways can they “bear fruit for death”?  (v. 5)
7. Contrast the motivation for our Christian service.  (v. 6)
8. What does Paul mean by v. 9 … when was he “alive apart from the Law”?
9. In v. 12, Paul sounds like he is referring to the O.T.  Any idea where?

A handout for Romans 7:1-13 is available for download at the Media Drop Box.

See you at 7 pm for dessert, followed by our study!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Ponder the following points in preparation for Monday night’s study of Romans 6:12-23 …

• Think about how you have “… let sin reign in your mortal body …”  (v. 12)
• Contrast v. 13 with Romans 12:1.
• What inspires a Christian?  (v. 14)
• What does Paul mean by “… you are not under law, but under grace”?  (v. 14)
• Think about the concept of slavery in the 1st Century.  Why would Paul use such an analogy?
• What does it mean to be “…obedient from the heart”?  (v. 17)
• Define “sanctification.”  (v. 19)
• Memorize Romans 6:23 ~ “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

A handout for Romans 6:12-23 is available for download at the Media Drop Box.

See you at 7 pm for dessert, followed by our study!

~ tr

Gentlemen,

Here are seven questions to aid your preparation for Monday night’s Bible study on Romans 6:1-11.

1. Now that we have been declared righteous (justified), how does God disengage us from our inherent sinful nature?
2. Why does Paul begin chapter 6 with the question:  “Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase?”
3. How have we “died to sin”? (v. 2)
4. Why does Paul introduce the practice of baptism in vv. 3-4?
5. What do vv. 3-4 signify about the mode and purposes of baptism?
6. How have you been a “slave to sin”? (v. 6)
7. What conclusions can be drawn from vv. 1-11?

Two handouts (“The Tenses of Salvation” and “Romans 6:1-11”) may be downloaded from the Media Drop Box.

Mike is bringing the dessert, which will be served at 7 pm … the study starts shortly after that.

~ tr