Romans
The Way of Salvation
PRUMC Lenten Bible Study 2025
Churchwide Lenten Study: Romans – The Way of Salvation
Wednesdays, March 12 – April 16, 6:30 pm, Grace Hall & Livestream
Written by the Apostle Paul, the Book of Romans challenges us to examine our hearts, realign our lives to God’s purpose, and reflect on our relationship with God and one another. Together, we will deepen our faith, strengthen our community, and live fully into the vision God has for us all. The teaching portion of this study will be held in person and live-streamed, while the small group discussion will be in person only.
Mar 12 – Rev. Elizabeth Byrd
Mar 19 – Rev. Daniel Ogle
Mar 26 – Rev. Emily Miles
Apr 2 – Rev. Josh Miles
Apr 9 – Rev. Geoff Beakley
Apr 16 – Rev. Leslie Watkins
week 1
Living by Faith
Romans 1 & 2
For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is God’s saving power for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed through faith for faith, as it is written, “The one who is righteous will live by faith.”
Romans 1:16-17
Lent is a time for us to consider our life of faith and to deepen our relationship with God. It is a time of repentance, reflection, and renewal. How are you spiritually preparing this Lenten season? How is it with your soul? How do you hope to encounter God?
In the focus verses for this week, Romans 1:16-17, Paul quotes the prophet Habakkuk, “The righteous will live by faith.” What is your understanding of faith?
In the Common English Bible translation, Romans 2:3-4, states, “If you judge those who do these kinds of things while you do the same things yourself, think about this: Do you believe that you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you have contempt for the riches of God’s generosity, tolerance, and patience? Don’t you realize that God’s kindness is supposed to lead you to change your heart and life?” How has God’s generosity, mercy, grace, and kindness changed your heart and life?
week 2
Justifying Grace
Romans 3, 4, & 5
Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.
Romans 5:1-2
Chances are you have heard the phrase, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Lent is a time when we ask God to create in us clean hearts, to forgive us of our sins, and to align our lives and desires to that which is pleasing to God. In what ways do you need to ask for God’s forgiveness? How are you intentionally taking time to connect with God in this season, so that you stay anchored in your faith and aligned with what is pleasing to God?
In Romans Chapter 4, Paul uses Abraham’s story to exemplify the importance of faith in God. Facing a seemingly impossible situation, Abraham does not place his faith in his own abilities or powers but in the powers and abilities of God (Genesis 12-22). How do you understand the meaning of hope in the face of great challenges? What does it look like to “hope against hope” (Romans 4:18)? Have you experienced a time when doubt, faith, and hope were present simultaneously?
John Wesley, theologian and founder of the Methodist movement, understood justification as God’s mercy and grace shown in the suffering and death of Jesus on our behalf, pardon for sin, and the restoration of the capacity for love of God and neighbor. Considering this understanding (Justifying Grace – what God has done for us, and Sanctifying Grace – what God does in us), think about your own life and God’s grace. Think about the moment(s) you’ve experienced Justifying Grace, and how you see the Sanctifying Grace of God at work in your life? (Definitions provided by Wesley Study Bible commentary.)
week 3
Freedom in Christ
Romans 6 & 7
I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. But in fact, it is no longer I who do it but sin that dwells within me. For I know that the good does not dwell within me, that is, in my flesh. For the desire to do the good lies close at hand, but not the ability. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it but sin that dwells within me.
Romans 7:15-20
In Romans Chapter 6, Paul challenges the thought that God’s free grace provides an excuse for sin. “We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. The death he died, he died to sin, once for all; but the life he lives, he lives to God. So you also must consider yourself dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.”(Romans 6:9-11). How do we live dead to sin and alive in Christ?
Read and reflect on our focus verses (Romans 7:15-20). How do these words resonate with you and how do they challenge you?
Freedom from sin requires humility and our recognition that we are powerless over sin and fully dependent on God. What sins in your own life do you recognize yourself as powerless over? In what ways do you need to ask for God’s forgiveness and grace? How are you seeking to live fully into the freedom God offers us?
week 4
Blessed Assurance
Romans 8, 9, 10 & 11
Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will affliction or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or peril or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than victorious through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:35-39
What are the main themes or passages from Romans 8-11 that resonated with you? Which passages do you find difficult to understand?
Hearing God and listening to God are essential components of faith. How do you practice hearing God’s voice?
Romans 10:13 says that “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” What do you think this means? What does it look like, or sound like, to call upon the name of the Lord? What Biblical voices do we see Paul sharing and quoting throughout these chapters? Why do you think Paul uses them in his letter?
The judgment of Israel came because they held on to God as their own instead of proclaiming God in all the earth, as Paul quotes the Old Testament prophets Hosea and Isaiah. How can we, today, proclaim the goodness of God in all the earth?
week 5
Transformation
Romans 12 & 13
Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God – what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2
What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of the mind?
As Christians, we are to seek God’s guidance and rely on the Holy Spirit to lead us. How do we live a life of discernment? How do we become more aware of God’s presence in our midst and God’s guidance for our lives?
Romans 12 and 13 speak to the nature of our character as Christians. What are some of the marks or characteristics of Christians Paul outlines for us in these chapters?
New every morning is God’s love, mercy, and grace for us. How have you experienced God’s mercy and grace? How have you experienced new life?
week 6
Holiness of Heart & Life
Romans 14, 15 & 16
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:13
In Romans chapters 13 and 14, Paul describes in a very important way the imperative upon Christ’s followers to love one another. This is not new; Jesus is quoted throughout the New Testament giving this as a new commandment (for example John 13:34-35). How do we prioritize and practice loving one another – individually and communally?
If hope is related to our unity in love, then where do you see it being realized in your own life and the life of the Church?
In what ways has this Lenten season brought clarity about living and sharing Christ with the world?