When In Rome: Romans 10
Overview
Romans chapter 10 is a profound part of Paul's epistle to the Romans, emphasizing the accessibility of salvation through faith in Christ. Paul expresses his heartfelt desire for the salvation of Israel, highlighting that righteousness and salvation come through faith, not the law. He contrasts the righteousness based on the law, which requires complete adherence to its commandments, with the righteousness based on faith, which is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ. Paul underscores the simplicity and universality of the gospel message: confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection leads to salvation. He emphasizes that this message is for everyone—Jews and Gentiles alike. Paul also discusses the importance of preaching the gospel, as faith comes from hearing the message of Christ.
Read
Romans 10:9-10 NIV
"If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."
Romans 10:13-15 NIV
"For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’"
Discuss
What does Paul mean by the “righteousness that is by faith” compared to the “righteousness that is by the law”?
How does Romans 10:9-10 summarize the core message of the gospel?
Why is confessing with the mouth considered as important as believing in the heart for salvation?
What effect does the universal availability of salvation (Romans 10:12-13) have on how we view others?
In Romans 10:14-15, Paul outlines a sequence of steps leading to salvation. How do these steps challenge our approach to evangelism?
How does this chapter address the tension between Israel’s adherence to the law and the faith-based righteousness Paul preaches?
What role do you think the hearing of the word plays in a person's journey to faith according to this chapter?
Reflect on your personal experience: how did you first hear the gospel message, and how did it impact your faith journey?
Call to Action
Share the Gospel: Identify one person in your life who hasn’t heard the gospel and make a plan to share the message of Jesus with them, whether through conversation, a book, or inviting them to church.
Support Evangelism: Consider ways you can support your local church's evangelism efforts, whether through volunteering, donating, or simply praying for their outreach programs.
Live Out Your Faith: Reflect on how you can more visibly live out your faith in your daily life. This could be through acts of kindness, speaking about your faith, or living in a way that reflects Christ’s love and teachings.
