This Reading Guide has been designed for use during Part 1

This Reading Guide has been designed for use during Part 1 of the “Romans" message series at South Ridge Church: March - April 2020

A Note from Pastor Justin:

Oneofthecommonbeliefsinourcultureisthattechnologyhelpsustodomoreinless6me.Buthowwellisthisplayingoutinoureverydaylives?Thesimpleanswer:notverywell.Forexample,didyouknow…

• Inthe1850’stheaverageAmericanslept9.5hoursanight.By1950thatnumberdroppedto8hoursanight.Today,theaverageAmericansleepsunder7hoursanight.

• In1967,futuriststoldaSenatesubcommiOeethatby1985,thankstotechnologicaladvances,Americanswouldbeworking22hoursaweekfor27weeksayear.Theaverageworkerwouldre6reatage38!Theypredictedwewouldhavetoomuch6meonourhands.Therealityisthatsince1973leisure6meinAmericahasdecreased37percent.

• Somees6matethatonly10percentofChris6ansareac6velydevelopingtheirrela6onshipwithGodonaregularbasis.This10percentincludesmanyindividualswemaythinkaretoo“busy”todoso(coaches,Fortune500execu6ves,etc.),yetblockout6meeverydaytofocusontheirrela6onshipwithChrist.

We,asAmericans,aregenerallyover-commi[ngtowork,events,andotherac6vi6es,whileremainingunder-commiOedtoleisure,play,anddevelopingourrela6onshipwithGod.Inotherwords,weareover-commi[ngtolife-drainingac6vi6esandunder-commi[ngtolife-givingones.Somethingneedstochange,butwhat?

Everyday,weallmake6meforthethingswedeterminearemostimportant.Aswebeginthisseries,myprayeristhatwethepeopleofSouthRidgeChurchwilldeterminethatcomingtoknowGodmorefullyisthemostimportantitemonourdailyschedules.

Letmeencourageyoutotakeafewimportantsteps:

(1) Overthenext12Weeks,committospendingjust15-30minutesaday,4-5daysaweekreadingandthinkingthroughtheBookofRomanswithus.Ifyougetbehind,don’tquit.It’sbeOertocompletethisstepinmorethan12weeksthantonotcompleteitatall.

(2) Duringthis15-30minutesaday,committoreadingthroughthisReadingGuide,reflec6ngandjournalingthroughtheques6onsprovidedwithineachdailyreading.

(3) UseagoodStudyBibleand/orotherresourcesasyoureadthroughthisReadingGuide.RefertohOps://southridgeblog.com/study-bible-infoformoreinforma6ononmanyexcellentStudyBiblesavailabletoday.Somesugges6onsinclude:

• NLT(orNIV)LifeApplica6onStudyBible,ThirdEdi6on,NIVZondervanStudyBible,ESVStudyBible,andmore.

Part I: March 15 - Romans 1:1-17 March 22 - Romans 1:18-3:20 March 29 - Romans 3:21-4 Apri l 5 - Romans 5 Apri l 12 (Easter) - Romans 6 Apri l 19 - Romans 7

Part I I: Apri l 26 - Romans 8:1-11 May 3 - Romans 8:12-17 May 10 - Romans 8:18-39 May 17 - Romans 9-11 May 24 - Romans 12 May 31 - Romans 13-16

ResourcesCitedinthisDevo1onal:

1. TheNLTLifeApplica3onStudyBible,ThirdEdi3on2. TheGoodandBeau3fulLife,JamesBryanSmith3. VictoryOvertheDarkness,NeilT.Anderson4. TheGiIsofImperfec3on,BrenéBrown5. TheGoodandBeau3fulGod,JamesBryanSmith6. TheDailyStoic,RyanHoliday7. TheCulturalBackgroundsStudyBible8. TheGoodandBeau3fulCommunity,JamesBryanSmith

Note:AllquotesfromtheBiblearefromtheNewLivingTransla3on.

Ti ps for Completi ng th is Read i ng Gu ide:

Takesome6metothinkaboutwhatyoumaybeabletoeliminatefromyourcurrentscheduleinordertocommittohaving6metoengagewithGod’sWordfor15-30minutesaday.(Itmaybeassimpleashavinglessscreen6meeachday.)

Gotobedatadecenthour,ge[ngatleast7-8hoursofsleepanight.Remember,yourbodyandsoulareunited.Youcannotgrowspirituallyifyouarewearyand6redphysically.

Spend1-2minutesinquietsilencebeforereadingeachday.Similarly,endyour6mewithanaddi6onal1-2minutesofsilence.

Writedownyouranswerstotheques6onsfromthisReadingGuideinajournal.

Trytogetintothehabitofreadingandjournalingatthesame6meeachday.Manyfindithelpfultoreviewtheiranswersacoupleof6mesthroughoutthedayastheymayhaveaddi6onalthoughtstoinclude.

Mark6meinyourcalendarforeachdailyreading.Thiswillhelpyouremindyourselfthatthisisasimportant(evenmoreimportant)thanotheritemsonyourschedule.

Askyourspouse,acolleague,aCommunityGroupMember,oranotherfriendtocheck-inwithyoueachweekandaskwhatyou’relearning.

Don’trushthroughthereadings.Ifsomethingcomesupandyouneedtopauseandreturntoitlater,thiswillprovideabeOerresultthanreadingtooquickly.

Mostimportantly,rememberthatyour6mewithGodisnotsomethingtocheckoffyourlist.It’sadedicated6metogettoknowHimandgrowinyourrela6onshipwithHim.

WhatcanIeliminatefrommyscheduletofollowthroughwiththiscommitment?__________________________

What6mewillIplantogotobedeachnighttorestwell?_____________________________________________

What6mewillIplantoreadandjournaleachday?__________________________________________________

WhocanIasktocheck-inwithmeeachweektohelpmefollow-through?________________________________

DAILY READING EXAMPLE:

DAY 1: Inspirational vs. Transformational

Theleosideofeachdailyreadingwillcontainabriefdevo6onal.

READING&JOURNALING:

TherightsideofeachdailyreadingwillcontainafewScriptureversestoreadandaddi6onalques6onsforreflec6on.

SampleJournalEntry:

Re-readRomans1:3-6.WhataresomeofthetruthsabouttheGoodNews?Whatdothesetruthsmeanforyoupersonally?

Inyourownnotebook,youmaywritesomethinglike:

The Good News declares that I belong to Jesus Christ, and that He sees me as Holy. This means that Jesus has the final say on who I am, and I can live today knowing that He sees me as a Saint and not a sinner. This is a life-giving truth that will sustain me throughout the day!

PRAYER:Therightsideofeachdailyreadingwillalsocontainabriefprayertoreadandreflecton.

F260READING:

ThisScriptureReadingisincludedforanyonewhomaywanttoreadthroughthefounda6onalpassagesofScripturethroughouttheyear(Sept.2019-August2020).Itisnotpartofthisstudy,butisprovidedforthosecommiOedtoreadingthroughtheBibleinayear.

MARCH17: Practice Makes Transformation (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)

Whatwouldyousayisnecessaryforrealtransforma6ontotakeplace?

Afootballcoachmaythinkabouthowtotransformeachindividualplayertophysicallyandemo6onallyprepareforeachgame.WhiletheprocessforeachplayermaybealiOledifferentdependingontheirathle6cability,eachindividualwillprac3ceoverseveralweeks,evenmonths,topreparefortheseason.Theresultsmaynotbeno6ceableaoeraweekortwo,butaoercon6nuedprac3cethecoachesandplayerscanseeandfeelthedifferencewithintheirbody.Theyarementallyandphysicallypreparedforthechallengestocome.

Thespirituallifeisn’tmuchdifferent.WemaythinkwecanaOendchurchonSundayandnotputinanyaddi6onalspiritualprac6cesthroughouttheweek.Butthenwhendifficul6esinlifearise(andtheyalwaysdo)wearewoefullyunprepared.Weneedongoingspiritualprac6cestoexperiencereallifetransforma6on.

Asyoureadtoday,thinkaboutwhatkindsofspiritualprac6cesPaulmaintainedeachdaytopreparetowritethisleOer?

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS1:1-17

Whatkindsofspiritualprac6cesdoyouthinkPaulmaintainedeverydaytopreparetowritethisleOer?

Eachpersonisunique.Whatkindsofspiritualprac6cesdoyouthinkbesthelpyoutogettoknowGodbeOer?

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,ifIhadtosummarizemycurrentlifeinoneword,Icouldeasilyusetheword“busy.”Ispendatremendousamountof6medoingthingsthatdonotnecessarilyleadmeclosertoYouorothers.AsIcon6nuetoengageinYourWordandinprayerthisweek,maythetruthsofwhoYouareandwhoIamsustainandtransformmeforthechallengesIwillfaceinotherareasoflife.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

(Endwith1-2minutesofsilence)

F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers)

Read:Daniel9,10,&12

MARCH16: Inspirational vs. Transformational

(Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)

Ifyouweretowatchorreadthenewstoday,chancesarehighthatyouwouldreadsomethingaboutlocalorna6onalpoli6cs,aswellascrimesorotherworldwidedisasters.Youmaybeluckyandhavetheopportunitytoreadsome“goodnews,”findinganar6clethatisuplioingandencouragingtoyoursoul.

These“goodnews”storiesintoday’smediaarefewandfarbetween.Moreover,they’realsoinspira3onalinnature.Theymayprovidesomeencouragementforyourday,butallinalltheywon’thaveasignificantimpactonhowyoulive.

TheauthorofRomans(Paul)beginsthislengthyleOerbydeclaringfromtheoutsetthathehasbeenchosenbyGodtopreachthe“GoodNews.”TheGoodNewsPaulspeaksofistheGospelofJesusChrist,anditistransforma3onal.Itnotonlyhasthepowertoprovideuswithdailyencouragement,butithasasignificantimpactonhowwelive.

Asyoureadtoday,paycloseaOen6ontohowPauldescribesthe“GoodNews”ofJesusChristandhowthesetruthscanandshouldimpactourdailylives.

READING&JOURNALING:

INTRODUCTIONTOROMANS,ROMANS1:1-17

InyourStudyBibleofchoice,readthroughtheintroduc6ontotheBookofRomans.

WhenwasRomanswriOen?Whataresomeofthekeythemesofthebook?

Re-readRomans1:3-6.WhataresomeofthetruthsabouttheGoodNews?Whatdothesetruthsmeanforyoupersonally?

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,it’seasyformetogetcaughtupinwhatotherssayorthinkaboutme,butul6matelyitisYouwhodetermineswhoIam.YouseemeasYourfriendandasaSaint.Maythesetruthsresonatedeepinmyspiriteachandeveryday!IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

F260READING:(AScriptureReadingPlanforBusyBelievers).

Read:Daniel5&6

Week 1: ROMANS 1:1-17

MARCH19: I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)

Romans1:16reads,ForIamnotashamedofthisGoodNewsaboutChrist.ItisthepowerofGodatwork,savingeveryonewhobelieves—theJewfirstandalsotheGen3le.

Onthisverse,theNLTLifeApplica6onStudyBible1notes,“PaulwasnotashamedoftheGoodNewsaboutChristbecauseheknewthatitwastrueandthatitcouldnotberefutedbyeventhebrightestmindsofGreekorRomanculture…WhenyoufeelembarrassedtobeaChris3an,rememberwhattheGoodNewsisallabout.IfyoufocusontherealityofGod’stransformingandlife-changingpowerintheworldratherthanonyourown[feelingsof]inadequacy,youwillfindtheconfidenceyouneedtoboldlyspeakaboutyourfaith.”

Thoseexperiencingreallifetransforma6onareregularlycomingtoseethemselvesinthesamewayGodseesthem.Theyseethemselvesasholy,saints,deeplylovedbyGod,belongingtoChrist,chosen,apartofGod’sfamily.

WhenweallowthetruthsoftheGospeltopermeateourlives,anyandallshameisridden.Wecometoapointofwan3ngtosharetheGoodNewsandtonotfearanyconsequences.

MARCH18:You Are Holy (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)

Whenyouwakeupeachmorning,doyouseeyourselfasasaintorasasinner?IfthelaOer,considerthis:

• You,…arelovedbyGodandarecalledtobehisownholypeople.Romans1:7

• Iamwri3ngtoGod’sholypeople…Ephesians1:2

• Iamwri6ng,toyouwhobelongtoGodtheFatherandtheLordJesusChrist.1Thessalonians1:1

• Iamwri3ngtoGod’schosenpeople…1Peter1:1

• GoddecidedinadvancetoadoptusintohisownfamilybybringingustohimselfthroughJesusChrist.Ephesians1:5

ThesepassagesarejustabriefsnapshotofwhattheScripturessayaboutallwhohaveprofessedfaithinChrist.TheyaffirmthatyouaredeeplylovedbyGod.Holy.ASaint.YoubelongtoGodandtoChrist.Youarechosen.YouarepartofGod’sfamily.Iftransforma6onincludesknowingwhoyouareandwhoseyouare,theseversesofferaglimpseintothetransforma6onGodhasmadeinyouandiscon6nuingtomakeinyou.

MARCH20:JOURNALING Writeabouta6mewhenyoutriedtoexperiencerealtransforma3oninthepast.Wereyousuccessful?Ifnot,coulditbethattheresultswerenotalackofeffortbutalackoftrus6ngChristinyoureverydaydecisions?

Read:Ezra5&6

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS1:1-17

InyourStudyBibleofchoice,readthroughthecommentarynotesfortoday’sreading.WhatifanythingdidyoulearnaboutGodorhowGodseesyou?

DoyoustruggletobelievethatGodseesyouasholy,asaint,thatyoubelongtoHim,thatyouarechosen,andthatyouarepartofGod’sfamily?Ifso,whydoyouthinkthatis?

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,IconfesstherearemanydaysinwhichIseemyselfmoreasasinnerthanasasaint.Con6nuetohelpmeseemyselfinthesamewayYoudo.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

Read:Ezra1&2

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS1:16-17

DoyoucurrentlyhaveanyshameorfearwhenitcomestosharingtheGoodNewswithothers?Ifso,wheredoyouthinkthatfearorshamecomesfrom?

PRAYER:

Today,writeoutyourownprayertoGod.Confessanyfearorshameyoumayhave,andcon6nuetoaskHimtohelpyouseeyourselfinthesamewayHeseesyou.

Read:Ezra3&4

MARCH24: Looking Inward

InRomans2,PaulrespondstosomeJewsinRomewhowerelivingoutafalsebeliefsystem.TheybelievedthatitwasOKforthemtopointfingersatGen6lesfortheirwrongdoing(sins),whilenotfocusingatallontheirownwrongdoing.Paulrefutesthiswayofthinking,outliningthattheytoohavesinnedagainstGod.

OnRomans2:1,theLifeApplica6onStudyBible1notes,“Wheneverwefindourselvesfeelingjus3fiablyangryaboutsomeone’ssin,weshouldbecareful.Weneedtospeakoutagainstsin,butwemusthumblyrememberourownweakness.OIenthesinsweno3cemostclearlyinothersaretheonesthathavetakenrootinus.Ifwelookcloselyatourselves,wemayfindthatwearecommidngthesamesinsinmoresociallyacceptableforms.Forexample,apersonwhoisverycri3calofthosewhogossipmayjus3fythesameac3oninthemselves….”

Thiscommentarynotecontainsasoberingtruth:thatonemustfirstlookinwardattheirownsinsbeforelookingoutwardatothers.

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS2:1-16

Thinkofa6mewhensomebodyincorrectlypointedoutwrongdoinginyourlife.Forexample,somebodyfalselyaccusedyouofgossiporsomeothersin.Whatemo6onsdidyouexperienceasaresult?

Romans2:4notesthatit’sthekindnessofGodthatturnspeopletorepent.Inwhatwaysdoesthistruthimpacthowyoucanaddresssinfulbehaviorinthelivesofothers?

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,Iamcertainthatatone6meoranother,Ihavefalselyaccusedothersofsinfulbehavior.MaythetruththatitisYourkindnessthatleadspeopletorepentancecompletelychangehowIapproachotherswhomaybelivinganungodlylifestyle.MayYourkindnesslivewithinmeandthroughmesothatotherswanttoturntoYouinallthings.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

Read:Ezra7&8

MARCH23: God’s Anger at Sin

InJamesBryanSmith’sbook6tledTheGoodandBeau3fulLife2,heoutlinesRomans1:18-32andreferstoitas“TheSixStepsofRuin.”Thesestepsinclude:1. Theturnaway:Somebodysays,"IwanttobeGod.”1:212. Theminddarkens:IfthereisaGodandsomeone

con6nuestoturnawayfromHim(step1),theirminddarkens.1:21-22

3. Idolatry:WemusthaveaGod.IfonerejectsGod,thensomethingmusttakeHisplace.Anidolisanythingweinvestourlivesin,inordertogainpleasure,happiness,andafalsesenseofpurpose.1:23

4. Godleavesusalone(Wrath):Unlesswediscoverthefu6lityofthisexistenceandturnbacktoGod,weareforcedtopushforwardinouridolatry.1:24

5. Pleasureispursuedatallcosts.Disconnectedfromrealityandonourown,wemustfindawaytofindfulfillment.Romans1:26

6. Sinreigns.Sinandwickednessbecomenorma6ve,automa6cbehavior.1:28-31

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS1:18-32

ReadRomans1:18-32andcompareitwiththeoutlineprovidedintoday’sdevo6onal.DoyouthinkJamesBryanSmithhasoutlinedthispassagewell?

Haveyouexperiencedthesestepsinyourownlifeorseenthemlivedoutinthelivesofothers?Whatdoyouthinkisthemostimportantstepsomebodyneedstotaketogetoutofthisdownwardspiral?

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,theoutlineprovidedintoday’sdevo6onalrevealstomesomehardtruths.Primarily,itrevealsthatthereare6meswhenIwanttobeGod,andasaresultIturnfromYou.Today,Iturnawayfromthiswayofthinking,andsimplypraythatIwillcometomorefullyknowandexperiencethegoodnessofwhoYouarethroughoutthisweek.InJesus’name.Amen.

Read:Zechariah1:1-6,2,&12

Week 2: ROMANS 1:18 - 3:20

MARCH26:God’s Faithfulness (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)

InancientRome,oneofthegoddessesworshipedbythepeoplewasJus66a,thegoddessofjus6ce.StatuesofLadyJus6ceooenshowthegoddessblindfoldedandholdingasetofscales.ThisismeanttosymbolizethatJus6ceisblindtoanykindofprejudice,andthescalesareevenlymeasuredforeverybody,regardlessoftheireduca6onorstatus.

AsaRomanci6zen,theApostlePaulwaswelleducatedandveryfamiliarwithculturalcustomsandteachings.InhisongoingresponsetosomeJewishci6zensinRome,heusestheculturalunderstandingofLadyJus6ceaswellastheOldTestamenttoshowthatallpeople-bothJewsandGen6les-areonanevenlyweighedscaleinthesightofGod.TheJewscancelebratethatGodchosethemtorevealHisrighteousness,butthisdoesn’tmeantheyarebeOerthanothers.

HethenquotesanumberofOldTestamentpassages,endingwith,"Theydon’tknowwheretofindpeace.TheyhavenofearofGodatall.”Isaiah59:7-8,Psalm36:1.Inotherwords,Paulissaying,“Yourwayofthinkingisn’tleadingyoutodiscoveringrealpeace.Perhapsyououghttothinkdifferently.”

MARCH25: God is on My Side vs. I Want Others to Know the Real God.

ThestoryoftheBibleshowsthatGodselectedagroupofpeople-thepeopleofIsrael-torevealthegoodnessandloveofwhoHeistotheworld.WhenPaulwrotehisleOertotheRomans,someJewshadtakenthistomeanthattheywerebeOerthanothers.TheywerelivingwiththefalsebeliefthatsinceGodhadchosenthem,itmustbebecausethey’rebeOerthanothers.

AsPaulcon6nueshisleOer,herefutesthiswayofthinking.BecauseGodhadgiventhemtheOldTestamentLaw,Paulrespondsasifhe’salawyermakingalegalargumentandhiscaseissimple:Youaresoproudofknowingthelaw,butyoudishonorGodbybreakingit.Romans2:23

ThroughoutRomans2Paulisbasicallysaying,“Thelawisn’tabouthowgreatyouare.ItwasgiventoshowhowgreatGodis.Butyou’velostsightofthistruthandtheconsequencesaredevasta6ng.”Asyoureadtoday,wrestlewithhowyouseeGod.IsGodonyourside?OrdoyousimplywantotherstoknowtherealGod?

MARCH27: JOURNALING HowwouldyoudescribeyourtrustlevelwhenitcomestoGod?HavethingshappenedtoyouthatmadeyoudoubtthatGodisalwaysgoodandalwaystrustworthy?

Read:Esther3&4

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS2:17-29

Haveyoueverthoughtsomethinglike,“Ireallyneedtoshareahardtruthwithso-and-so,andGodisonmyside?”Whatwastheresult?

PaulwasmoreconcernedthatthepeoplereadingRomanswouldcometoknowGodmorefullythantosimplyknowaboutGod.WhataresomethingsyoudotogettoknowGodandnotjustlearnmoreaboutHim?

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,Iconfessthereare6meswhenIlivemylifewiththemindsetthatYouareonmyside.WhileYourWordaffirmstruthssuchas,“IfGodisforus,whocanbeagainstus,”it’swrongofmetothinkthatthisisaboutmebeingbeOerthanothers.IrepentofthiswayofthinkingandwanttoknowYouasYoureallyare.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

Read:Ezra9&10

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS3:1-20

IfyourthoughtsaboutGod,yourself,andothersaren’thelpingyouexperiencerealpeaceinlife,whatcanyoudoaboutthat?(SeeRomans12:2)

Whoissomebodyyouknowwholiveswithahighlevelofpeaceandcontentmentinlife?ConsideraskingthemwhatthoughtstheyhaveaboutGod,themselves,andothers.Alsoconsideraskingthemwhatspiritualprac6ceshelpthemtoexperiencethislevelofpeace.

PRAYER:

Today,writeoutyourownprayertoGod.Confessanynega6veorunhealthythoughtsyouhaveaboutGod,yourself,and/orothers,andprayforwisdominhowGodmaybeabletohelpyouchangeyourwayofthinking(Romans12:2).

Read:Esther1&2

MARCH31: Performance vs. Acceptance (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)

Thinkaboutthis:Doyouliveyoureverydaylifethinkingmoreabouthowyoucanbestperformorbeperfect,ordoyoulivethinkingmoreaboutthetruththatGodacceptsyou?Forthosewholivebyperformingortryingtobeperfect,authorandresearcherBrenéBrownwritesinTheGiIsofImperfec3on4,“Perfec6onismisthebeliefthatifweliveperfect,lookperfect,andactperfect,wecanminimizeoravoidthepainofblame,judgement,andshame.”Brown’sunderstandingofperformanceorperfec6onismalignswellwithRomans3:21-31.Wecantrytoovercomeoursinfultendenciesonourown,butoureffortswon’tproduceanyrealfruit.Instead,itissimplybyourfaiththatwecanavoidthepainofblame,judgment,andshame.TheLifeApplica6onStudyBiblenotesonRomans3:28,(1)Faitheliminatestheprideofhumaneffort,becausefaithisnotadeedthatwedo.(2)FaithexaltswhatGodhasdone,notwhatwedo.(3)Faithadmitsthatwecan’tkeepthelawormeasureuptoGod’sstandards—weneedhelp.(4)Faithisbasedonourrela3onshipwithGod,notourperformanceforGod.

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS3:27-31

Behonest:Doyoulivemorebyperformanceand/orperfec6onorintheacceptance,security,andsignificancegiventoyoubyyourfaithinJesusChrist?

HowoughtyourfaithinChristfreeyoufromtheburdensoftryingtoperformforGod/others?

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,IconfesstherearemanydayswhenItrytoperformbyeitherlivingperfect,lookingperfect,and/orac6ngperfectinordertominimizethepainofblame,judgement,andshame.Butthesethoughtsooenleadmetoexperiencemorefeelingsofjudgementandshamebecauseperfec6onismcannotbeaOainedonmyown.Iamonlyaccepted,significant,andsecure3becauseofChrist.Maythesetruthscon6nuetoshapehowIseeYou,myself,andothers.Amen.

Read:Esther8,9,&10

MARCH30: Not Guilty

Imagineforamomentthatyou’resi[nginacourtroom,butnotasanac6veobserver.Instead,you’reontrial,andSatanistakingyoutocourt.Alldaylong,youhearargumentsfromthedevilabouthowyouareguiltyofsinningagainstGod(seeRomans2:1-3:20).Throughoutthetrial,youhearwhatSatanissayingandyoutrytotakedownnotestomountadefense,butbytheendoftheday,youknowthathehasmadeaverycompellingargument.

Aoerward,yourdefenseaOorney,Jesus,looksdirectlyatyouandsays,“There’snothingyoucandoonyourown.YouareguiltyofsinningagainstMe.ButIhavetakenonyourpunishment.IfyouwilltrustinMeandcommittofollowingMe,thenyouwillbeclearedofallchargesagainstyou.Youwillnotonlybefreetogo,butGodwillalsoseeyouasHissonordaughter.YouwillbeinvitedintoOurfamilyandwillalwayshaveaseatatthetablewithMe.Youwillbedeclaredarighteoussaintandnotaguiltysinner.NowtellMe,wouldyouliketoacceptMyoffer?

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS3:21-26

IfyouhaveacceptedChrist,thenGod(theJudge)hasdeclaredyouNotGuilty.NeitherSatan,theworld,orotherscandeclareyouunrighteousorinsignificant.Today,writeoutRomans3:24inyourtransla6onofchoice.Inwhatwaysshouldthetruthofthisverseimpactyoureverydaylife?Bespecific.

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,some6mesit’seasierformetoacceptthetruthofRomans2:1-3:20-thatIhavesinnedagainstYou—thanitisformetoacceptthetruthofRomans3:21-26—thatYouhavewillinglyofferedmefreedombydeclaringme“Notguilty,”becauseofJesusChrist.Todayandeveryday,IsimplywanttorestintheloveYouhaveselflesslylavisheduponme.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

Read:Esther5,6,&7

Week 3: ROMANS 3:21 - 4:25

APRIL2: God is Working (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)

ThestoryAbrahamrevealsthatGodnotonlymakespromises,butthatHewillfulfillthem.ThechallengeforusisthatGodwillfulfillHispromisesinHis6ming,andnotinourown.

InthebookofGenesis,GodhadmadesomespecificpromisestoAbraham.Yearsandyearspassed,andGod’spromiseshadnotyetcometofrui6on.YetPaulwritesinRomans4:20-21,AbrahamneverwaveredinbelievingGod’spromise.Infact,hisfaithgrewstronger,andinthishebroughtglorytoGod.HewasfullyconvincedthatGodisabletodowhateverhepromises.

Ul6mately,thepromiseGodmadetoAbrahamwasn’tcompletelyfulfilledun6lJesusChrist.WhileAbrahamwasabletoexperienceapartofGod’spromiseinhisownlife6me,thecompletefulfillmentofGod’spromisewashundredsandhundredsofyearsaoerAbraham’sdeath.

Today,youmaybepraying,hoping,orwai6ngononeofGod’spromisesinyourownlife.RememberthatGodwillfulfillHispromisesinHis6ming.WhileGodmaybeworkingslowly,thisdoesn’tmeanHeisn’tworking.

APRIL1: Do You Think He Loved Me?

InhisbookTheGoodandBeau3fulGod5,authorJamesBryanSmithwritesastoryabouttwofriendswhogrewuptogether,joinedthemilitarytogether,andfoundthemselvestogetherinwartogether.Whilehunkeringdowninafoxholethefriendswerecha[ngwhenalivegrenadelandednearby.Onefriendsmiledandlookedattheother,andthendoveontopofthelivegrenade,killinghiminstantly,butsavinghisfriend’slife.

Yearslater,thesurvivingfriendcon6nuedtowrestlewiththisevent,andwhetherornothewasworthyofhisfriend’ssacrifice.Lateoneevening,heaskedhisfriend’smother,“Doyouthinkhelovedme?”Themotherquicklyjumpedoffthecouch,shookherfingerinhisfaceandsaid,…”Whatmorecouldhehavedoneforyou?!”

Inthismoment,hehadanepiphany.Herealizednotonlythathisfrienddeeplylovedhim,butalsothatChristlovedhiminthesameway.Hehadsome6meswonderedifhewastrulyworthyofGod’slove.HecouldpictureGodshakingHisfingerinhisfacesaying,“WhatmorecouldIhavedonetoshowyouhowmuchIloveyou!?”

APRIL3: JOURNALING HaveyoueverwonderedifGodreallylovesyou?Ifso,whatmightbeonewaytofindaclearanswer?

Read:Nehemiah5&6

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS4:1-15

IntheOldTestament,KingDavidlied,murdered,andcommiOedadultery,yetheexperiencedthefullforgivenessofGod.DoyoustruggletothinkthatGodhasfullyforgivenyouofanywrongdoing?Ifso,whydoyouthinkthatis?

PRAYER:

Today,writeoutyourownprayerand/orpraiseGod.ThankHimforfullyforgivingyouofanysinsyou’vecommiOedagainstHimorothers.

Read:Nehemiah1&2

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS4:16-25

WhataresomethingsyouhavelearnedaboutGod’s6mingvs.yourown6ming?

WhyisitimportantforyoutorestinGodandnotinthe6mingofHisresults?

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,IacknowledgethatIliveinaworldinwhichinstantgra6fica6onisthenorm.Icanstreamamovie,readabook,oreatamealwheneverIwant.Assuch,Iamguiltyofwan6ngtoseeYouworkorfulfillYourpromisesinmy6minginsteadofpa6entlyawai6ngYour6ming.Today,Igiveupthiswrongwayofthinking,andtrustthatYouwillfulfillallthingsinYour6ming.IacknowledgethatthebestthingIcandoistorestinYou,andnotinYour6ming.InJesus’name.Amen.

Read:Nehemiah3&4

APRIL7: We Have Peace with Ourselves (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)

Romans5:11reads,Sonowwecanrejoiceinourwonderfulnewrela3onshipwithGodbecauseourLordJesusChristhasmadeusfriendsofGod.

Throughoutmy(PastorJus6n)ministrycareer,onecommonstoryI’veheardfromothersis,Ijustcan’tbelieveIdid(fill-in-the-blank)whenIwasyounger.Ijustfeelawfulaboutit,andI’mnotsureIcanforgivemyselfforit.

There’safalsenarra6vebehindstoriessuchasthese,andit’squitesimilartotheonemen6onedyesterday.Thisfalsenarra6vegoessomethinglikethis:Iwillhavepeacewithmyselfwhen(fill-in-the-blank).Orperhapsit’sworse:Iwillneverhavepeacewithmyselfbecause(fill-in-the-blank).

ThosesufferingwiththoughtssuchasthesemayhavetakenthestepofrecognizingtheirownsinagainstGodorothers(Romans3:23),buthavefailedtofullyacceptthatGodhasdonealltheworktoforgivethemoftheirsins.TheyfailtoseethemselvesasafriendofGod.ThetruthisthatGod’sforgivenessisfull,andforthoseforwhohaveprofessedfaithinChrist,GodnowseesyouasHisfriend.

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS5:1-11,JOHN15:13-15

Howdoyoudefinefriendship?

ImagineGodsayingtoyou,“IwantyoutoknowthefullnessofwhoIamandhowmuchIloveyou.YouwillknowthisbyfollowingMe.”Thisisessen6allywhatJesussharedwithHisdisciples.HowdoesthisimpactyourunderstandingofwhatitmeanstobeafriendofGod?

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,Iconfessthatit'srareformetowakeupandthinkofmyselfasafriendofGod.ButthisiswhatYourWordteaches,andIwantthistruthtopermeateintomesodeeplythatIknowitdeepinmybones.Whenabiblicaltruthsuchasthishelpsformmyiden6ty,thereisliOlethatcanraOleme.Helpme,Lord,toseemyselfasYourfriendeveryday.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

Read:Nehemiah9

APRIL6: We Have Peace with God

Inhisancientwri6ngs6tledDiscourses,stoicphilosopherEpictetuswrote,“Theproperworkofthemindistheexerciseofchoice,refusal,yearning,repulsion,prepara3on,purpose,andassent.Whatthencanpolluteandclogthemind’sproperfunc3oning?Nothingbutitsowncorruptdecisions.”

RyanHoliday6,amodern-dayauthorwhoresearchesstoicphilosophy,writesthatrepulsion,inthissense,isbeingrepulsedby,“nega6vity,badinfluences,[and]whatisn’ttrue.”

Everyday,weareinundatedwithinforma6onthatmaybeeithernega6ve,abadinfluence,orsimplyuntrue.Someofthesethoughtsdon’tcomefromelsewhere,butfromwithinourselves.Theycomefromourownnega6vethoughts.

Forexamplesomemaygiveintothefalsenarra6veof,IwillhavepeacewithGodwhen(fill-in-the-blank).Thoughtslikethesearebiblicallyuntrue,andassuch,weshouldbecompletelyanduOerlyrepulsedbyit.Instead,wemustreplacenarra6veslikethesewithtruthssuchasRomans5:21,“wehavepeacewithGodbecauseofwhatJesusChristhasdoneforus.”

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS5:1-11

Doyoufindyourselfbeingrepulsedbythoughtsthatleadtonega6vity,areabadinfluence,and/ormaynotbetrue?

Writedownafewthingsyou’renotcurrentlyrepulsedby,butyou’rethinkingmaybeyoushouldbe.ArethereScripturesthatgoagainstthesethings?Ifso,meditateonthosepassagesthisweek.

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,IrecognizethattherearealotofthingsIsee,hear,orreadeverydaythatarenega6ve,abadinfluence,orareuntrue-inthattheygoagainstYouandYourWord.HelpmetoseethesethingsforwhattheyreallyareandtorecognizethattruepeacecomesonlybecauseofwhatJesushasdoneforme.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

Read:Nehemiah7&8

APRIL9: Ruled by Grace (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)

Throughouttheweek,we’vebeenlookingatdifferentfalsenarra6vesthatimpactourlives.Theseinclude:

IwillhavepeacewithGodwhen(fill-in-the-blank).Iwillhavepeacewithmyselfwhen(fill-in-the-blank).I’veacceptedtheGospel.Idon’tneedtohearitagain.There’sonemorefalsenarra6vethatPauladdressesinRomans5.Apparently,someoftheRomanChris6answerebelievingthatsinwass6llrulingtheirlives.Paulrefusestoallowthiswayofthinkingtocon6nue.HewritesinRomans5:21,Sojustassinruledoverallpeopleandbroughtthemtodeath,nowGod’swonderfulgracerulesinstead,givingusrightstandingwithGodandresul3ngineternallifethroughJesusChristourLord.

Inotherwords,Paulissaying,“Sindidruleoverallpeople…butnowGod’sgracerulesinstead.Donotlivebythinkingthatyouareruledbysin.Instead,liveknowingthatyouareruledbygrace.Byallowinggracetocompletelyreigninyourlife,youwillexperiencetheeternallifeGodhasforyou,now.Notwhenyoudie.Butrightnow,thisveryday!”

APRIL8: Preach the Gospel to Yourself Daily (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)

Somepeoplemaygrowupinasmallcountrychurch,listeningtothesamegospelmessagepresentedattheendofeverySundaymessage.Thesametwenty-sixpeoplewhoaOendeveryservicesmileandnodatthepastor,whilethinkingtothemselves,Weknow,andwedon’tneedtohearitagain.

Whilethepastorintheillustra6onabovemaynotbecommunica6nginawaythatresonatedwiththepeople,it’simportantnottogiveintothefalsenarra6vethatgoessomethinglikethis:I’veacceptedtheGospel.Idon’tneedtohearitagain.

AreviewofPaul’sleOersintheNewTestamentshowsthathewaswri6ngtoSaints(thosewhohadalreadyacceptedtheGospelandtrustedinJesusChrist),butalsoshowsthathecon6nuallycommunicatedthegospeltothem.Paulisspeakingadifferent,truenarra6ve.He’ssaying,“Youreallyneedtogetthis.Thismessageissoimportant,youneedtoheariteverysingleday!Whetheryouhearitfromme,fromsomebodyelse,orfromyourself.Butit’svitalthatyouhearthetruthofthegospeleverysingleday.”

APRIL10(GOODFRIDAY): JOURNALING Thisweekwecoveredfourfalsenarra6ves(beliefs)aboutGod,yourself,thegospel,sin,andgrace.Whichofthesenarra6vesdoyoumoststrugglewith?Doyouhaveanyotherongoingnega6vethoughtsorfalsenarra6vesthatmaygoagainstscripture?Whatarethey?

Read:Nehemiah12

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS5:12-21

Whydoyouthinkit’simportanttopreachthegospeltoyourselfeveryday?

Whataresomewaysinwhichyoucanpreachthegospeltoyourselfthroughoutthedaytoday?

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,Iconfessthereare6meswhenIhearaboutYourgoodness,Yourgrace,orYourgospel,andIthinktomyself,Iknow,andIdon’tneedtohearitagain.ButIrecognizethatitdoesn’ttakelongformetoneglect,ortosetasidethetruthofYourWord.MaythewondersofwhoYouareandwhatYouhavedoneformebeetchedintomyheart,sotheybecomethelifebloodofwhoIamandhowIlive.IprayinJesus'name.Amen.

Read:Nehemiah10

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS5:12-21

Doyouliveyourlifewiththethoughtthatsinrulesyourlifeandisleadingyoutodeath,orwiththethoughtthatgracerulesyourlifeandyoucanexperienceeternalliferightnow?

InyourStudyBibleofchoice,readthroughthecommentarynotesforRomans5.WhatifanythingdidyoulearnaboutGodorhowGodseesyou?

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,Iconfessthatthereares3lloccasionsinwhichIseemyselfasbeingasinner(ruledbysin)andnotasaint(ruledbygrace).ButIrecognizethattherootofthesethoughtscomesfrommedesiringtorulemylifeinsteadofsimplywalkinginstepwithYouandallowingYoutoleadtheway.Forgivemeformakingmyworldmyownkingdom,insteadofres6nginYourKingdom.InJesus’name.Amen.

Read:Nehemiah11

APRIL14:New Nature

Romans6:11reads,SoyoualsoshouldconsideryourselvestobedeadtothepowerofsinandalivetoGodthroughChristJesus.

Oneofthebiggestques6onsoftheChris6anfaithis,WhydidJesushavetodie?Infact,someofthegreatestmindsfromthebeginningsofChris6anitythroughtodayhavewrestledwiththisques6on.Andwhilethereisnoshortageofthoughtsonhowtoanswerthisques6on,manyhaveproposedthatit’snotthecorrectques6on.TheanswerisnotthatJesushadtodie.Instead,theansweristhatJesuschosetodie.

AsJamesBryanSmithwritesinTheGoodandBeau3fulGod5,“TheFather,SonandSpiritworkedinharmonytoreachouttoafallenandbrokenworldinordertorestoreit.Goddidforuswhatwecouldneverdoforourselves.ThecrossisasymbolofGod’sloveandsacrifice.Jesusassumedandhealedourhumancondi6on,andindoingsohedemonstratedthedepthsofGod’sloveforallofcrea6on.”

JesuschoosingtodieallowsustohaveandexperienceaNewNature.Wenolongerliveruledbysin.Butruledbygrace.

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS6:1-11

Howwouldyourespondtoafriendorfamilymemberwhowaswrestlingwiththeques6on,“WhydidJesushavetodie?”

Whatwouldyousayiscurrentlyrulingyourlife(sin,grace,somethingelse)?Whatimpactisthishavingonyoureverydaydecisions?

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,Iconfessthatit’schallengingformetothinkaboutwhyJesuschosetodie.AsIdwellonit,IrealizethatJesuschosetodietotakeonthepunishmentformysins.Maytheseverityofthisloveandgracecon6nuetochangemefromtheinsideout.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

Read:Malachi1

APRIL13: New Life

Romans6:4reads,AndjustasChristwasraisedfromthedeadbythegloriouspoweroftheFather,nowwealsomaylivenewlives.

It’seasytoseethatourworldisbroken.Ifyouweretoaskanyindividual,ofanysex,ofanyculture,ofanysocialstatus,whatisbrokenabouttheworldinwhichwelive,youwouldreceivenoshortageofanswers.Everybodyknowsthattheworldisbroken.Fortunately,Jesusprovidesapathtoescapefromthebrokennessofthisworld.

TheLifeApplica6onStudyBible1notesthatforallwhohavetrustedinChrist'sdeathandresurrec6on,GodhasprovidedaNewLife,aNewNature,andNewFreedom.

Formany,eventheideaofaNewLifesoundsintriguing.Forexample,ifyouweretoevaluateeveryareaofyourlife—physical,emo6onal,spiritual,yourthoughtlife,etc.—youmayverywellstarttothink,Wow.IfIcouldactuallyhaveaNewLife,Ithinkthatcouldbeveryhelpful!

ButRomans6basicallysays,“Thisisn’tjustanidea.YoucantrulyexperienceNewLife.”

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS6:1-11

Whatarethefirstthreethingsthatcometomindforthisques6on:whatisbrokenabouttheworldinwhichwelive?

WhatthoughtscometomindwhenyouthinkthatyourNewLifebeganthemomentyouprofessedfaithinChrist?Itdoesn’tbeginwhenyoudie,butyou’relivingitrightnow?

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,todayIsimplywanttothankYouforprovidingmewithaNewLife.Helpmetolivetodayandeverydayknowingthatthenextlifedoesn’tbeginwhenIdiebuthasalreadybegun.MayIrejoiceinthistrutheachandeveryday.InJesus’name.Amen.

Read:Nehemiah13

APRIL16: A New You (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)

Romans6:23breads,butthefreegiIofGodiseternallifethroughChristJesusourLord.

Ourculturethrivesonconsumerism.Forexample,Amazonreporteda4thquarterrevenueof87.4Billiondollarsin2019.87.4BillionwithaB.That'salotofsalesandconsumerism!

Itshowsthat,atleastinourculture,we'realwayslookingforsomethingnew.SowhenwethinkabouthavingaNewLife,oraNewNature,orNewFreedom,wemayimmediatelythinktoourselves,Signmeup!But…what'sitgoingtocostme?

Romans6answerswiththemostsurprisinganswer—it'snotgoingtocostyouathing.

Theveryideacausessometobalkandwalkaway.Othersmaywantmoreinforma6on,butinthebackoftheirmindsthey’res6llthinkinglikeaconsumer:Surelyit'sgoingtocostmesomething.

Inreality,thereisnocost.Jesuspaiditall.Butifyouacceptit,therewillbeaNewYou.AndwhiletheNewYoumaynotbeeverythingyouexpected,it’llbefargreaterthanyoucouldeverhopefor.

APRIL15: New Freedom (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)

Romans6:7,19reads,ForwhenwediedwithChristweweresetfreefromthepowerofsin…Nowyoumustgiveyourselvestobeslavestorighteouslivingsothatyouwillbecomeholy.

TheCulturalBackgroundsStudyBible7notesthatwhenRomanswaswriOen,manyintellectualswouldusetheillustra6onofslaverytospeakagainstwrongideas.Assuch,theApostlePaulusesasimilarargumentbysaying,“Youarenolongerslavestosin!”ThosewhofirstreadhisleOerwouldhaveknowntheillustra6onandwouldhaverejoicedatthethoughtthattheyneednolongerbeburdenedbysin.ThattheyindeedhadbeengivenNewLife,andaNewNature.

ButPaulthenflipstheargumentaroundandencouragedtheChris6ansinRometobeslavesofrighteousliving.YoucanjustimaginethemreadinghisleOerandthinking,What?!Youjusttoldusthatwehadanewlife.Nowyou'retellingustobeslavesagain?”

ButPaulwasn’tencouragingthepeopletobeslavesofsin.Instead,hewassayingtobeslavestorighteousliving.Hisargumentwassimple:RighteouslivingleadstoNewFreedom.

APRIL17: JOURNALING Takesome6metodaytowriteoutabriefsummaryofRomans6.Trytodoitinonly2-3sentences,makingiteasytorememberandeasytosharewithothers.

Read:Malachi4

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS6:12-23

Howdoesbeingaslavetorighteouslivingactuallyleadtoexperiencingfreedomandfrui{ulnessinlife?

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,IconfessthatwhenIthinkaboutbeingaslavetorighteousness,it’seasyformetothinkaboutachecklistofwhat’srightandwhat’swrong.ButI’mcon6nuallylearningthatbeingaslavetorighteousnessisn’taboutachecklistbutissimplyaboutmegrowinginmyknowledgeandunderstandingofwhoYouare,aswellasgrowinginmyknowledgeofunderstandingofwhoYouhavemademetobe.IpraythatthetruthsofwhoYouareandwhoIamwillopenmyeyestothefreedomonlyYoucanprovide.InJesus’name.Amen.

Read:Malachi2

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS6:12-23

InyourStudyBibleofchoice,readthroughthecommentarynotesforRomans6.WhatifanythingdidyoulearnaboutGodprovidingyouanewlife,anewnature,andnewfreedom?

ReadMaOhew13:44.WhatdoyouthinkaboutthegraceofGodbeinga“freegio”(Romans6:23)yetalsopayingeverythingyouown(MaOhew13:44)toreceiveit?

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,YourWordisclearinsayingthattheGospelmessageisafreegio.It’salsoclearinsayingthatImustgiveupwhatIthinkIknowaboutYouandaboutmyselfinordertofullyreceiveit.Today,IsimplyacknowledgethatIwanttoknowYouinyourfullness,andIwanttoseemyselfasYouseeme.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

Read:Malachi3

APRIL21: Earn It (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)

InthemovieSavingPrivateRyan,WWIIsoldierJamesRyanlearnsthathisthreebrothershadallbekilledinvariousbaOles.Assuch,heistobereleasedfromdutyandreturnhomeastheonlysurvivingson.Towardtheendofthemovie,thecommandingofficersenttoretrieveRyan,JohnMiller(TomHanks),becomesmortallywoundedwhileprotec6ngtheyoungerRyan.Inthisclimac6cscene,Miller’sfinalwordstoRyanare,“Earnit.”Millerwasbasicallysaying,Ipaidahugepriceforyou.Makesureyoulivealifeworthyofit.Fortherestofhislife,JamesRyanwonderedifhelivedagoodenoughlifetoearnit.

Thisthemeofearninglifeorsalva6onisprevalentallthroughoutthebookofRomansandisespeciallyprominentinChapter7.TheApostlePaulnotesthatsomemaybelievetheycanearntheirsalva6onbyfollowingGod’scommandments.OthersmaythinktheycanearnGod’sfavorbylivingwithgoodinten6ons.Butthisisn’ttherealgospel.Therealgospeltellsusthatwedon’thavetolivealwayswonderingifwe’regoodenoughtoearnit.Therealgospelisagio.

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS7:1-12

Howregularlydoyous6llfindyourselftryingtoearnGod’sfavororblessingsinyourlife?WhatliesmayyoubebelievingthatleadyoutothinkyoucanorshouldtrytoearnGod’sfavor?

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,asIcon6nuetostudythroughthebookofRomans,I’mrecognizingthateventhoughIknowthegospelisafreegio,Is6llsome6meslivebytryingtoearnfavororblessingsforYou.Today,simplyhelpmetorestinthetruththatIcannotearnYourgrace,butmustsimplyreceiveitandknowthatIamYourbelovedsonordaughter.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

Read:Luke2

APRIL20:Living in God’s Kingdom

Romans7:4reads,So,mydearbrothersandsisters,thisisthepoint:YoudiedtothepowerofthelawwhenyoudiedwithChrist.Andnowyouareunitedwiththeonewhowasraisedfromthedead.Asaresult,wecanproduceaharvestofgooddeedsforGod.

BeforefaithChristwesawtheworldaswewantedtoseeit.Wewere,inessence,kingsandqueensofourownlivesandooenhadveryself-centeredwaysofthinking.AstheNLTLifeApplica6onStudyBible1notes,ourownself-determina3onwasoursourceofpower.

ButaoerchoosingtofollowJesus,webegantoseetheworlddifferently.ByfollowingChrist,wecannowseetheworldasGoddoes.Wenotonlyseethebrokennessintheworld,butwerecognizethesolu6on.Wenotonlyseethedestruc6vepowerofsin,butweunderstandwearefreefromitspower.WenotonlyseetheoverwhelminggoodnessofGod,butweseethatHewillworkHisgoodnessintoourlives.Inshort,weseethatwenowliveinHiskingdomandnotourown.Andweseethatthere’snobeOerkingdominwhichwecouldlive.

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS7:1-6

Whataresomewaysyounowseetheworlddifferentlythanyoudidbeforetrus6nginJesus?Bespecific.

Whataresomewaysyounowseeyourselfdifferentlythanyoudidbeforetrus6nginJesus?Bespecific.

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,Iconfessthatitiseasyformetoseetheworld,myself,others,andevenYouinwaysthatmaygoagainstYourWord.Thisweek,IsimplypraythatYouwillcon6nuetoopenmyeyestoseeeverythingasYouseeit.Providemethewisdom,strength,andgracetobethepersonYouhavemademetobe.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

Read:Luke1

APRIL23: The War for Your Mind (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)

Romans7:22-23reads,IloveGod’slawwithallmyheart.Butthereisanotherpowerwithinmethatisatwarwithmymind.Thispowermakesmeaslavetothesinthatiss3llwithinme.

InTheLordoftheRings,theyounghobbitFrodoBagginsistaskedwithachallengingmission:todestroytheringofpower.Asthestoryprogresses,theburdenbecomesheavierandheavier.Frodowantstoberidofthering,yethealsofindsauniquedesiretokeeptheringcloseatallcosts.HediscoversthetruthofRomans7:22,thatthereisapoweratwarwithhismind.

Thestoryisanexcellentreflec6onofwhatPauliscommunica6nginRomans7.AsChris6ans,wearenotimmunetosin.Whilewehavebeensetfreefromitsreigninourlives,weares6llflawed.ThedesiretosinagainstGodorotherscancreepineveninthemostunexpectedofmoments.WemustconstantlykeepourthoughtsandheartsonChrist,knowingthatHeandHealonecanremovetheburdenofsininourlives.

APRIL22: Willpower Won’t Work (Beginwith1-2minutesofsilence)

Romans7:15reads,Idon’treallyunderstandmyself,forIwanttodowhatisright,butIdon’tdoit.Instead,IdowhatIhate.

Haveyouevertriedanewdietorexerciserou6neandtoldyourself(andmaybeothers),“I’mactuallygoingtofollowthroughthis6me?”Ifnot,you’relikelyintheminority.Everyyear,millionsofpeoplesetNewYear’sResolu6onsandthevastmajorityofthemfailbytheendofJanuary.Why?Becausefartooooenwelivewithafalsenarra6ve,tellingourselveswhatwewillorwillnotdobasedsolelyonourownwillpower.

TheLifeApplica6onStudyBible1notesonRomans7:15thatPaulhaslearned3valuablelessons.(1)Knowledgeoftherulesdoesnotmakeiteasiertoobeythem.Justlikeknowingthebenefitsofdietandexercisedoesnotmeanwewillsimplyfollowthem.(2)Self-determina3onandself-improvementcannotchangeourhearts.(3)BecomingaChris3andoesnotstampoutallsinandtempta3oninaperson’slife.

Realtransforma6ononlyoccurswhenweallowGodtochangeourheartsandourminds.Tothinkwecanmakeithappenonourownisfoolishness.

APRIL24: JOURNALING InTheGoodandBeau3fulCommunity8,JamesBryanSmithwrites,“ThekingdomofGodisnotaboutrules,butaboutthegoodnessandconfidenceandlaughterwediscoverwhenwelettheHolySpiritleadus.”WhathaveyoulearnedaboutthegoodnessofGodthisweek?

Read:John1

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS7:1-20

Whenisthelast6meyouweredeterminedtoaccomplishsomethingbasedonyourownwillpower?Howdiditworkoutforyou?

WhatisoneareaofyourlifeinwhichyouneedtoallowGodtochangeyourheartand/ormind?

PRAYER:

Today,writeoutyourownprayertoGod.ConfessatleastoneareaofyourlifeinwhichyouneedtoallowHimtochangeYourheartand/ormind,andaskHimtotransformthisareaofyourlife.

Read:Ma_hew1&2

READING&JOURNALING:

ROMANS7:1-25

Thereisanongoingwarforyourmind.What,specifically,isyourresponsibilityinthatbaOle?

Romans7:22notesthatthereisanotherpower(sin)thatisatwarwithyourmind.WhataretwoorthreeScriptureversesyoucanregularlyturntotoreplacesinfulthoughtswiththetruthsofGod’sWord?

PRAYER:

HeavenlyFather,Idon’tneedtoreadRomans7toknowthatthere’sanongoingwarformymind,butitisahelpfulreminderthatIneedtoacceptmyresponsibilityinthisbaOle.Today,maymy6me,energy,thoughts,words,ac6ons,andevenspendingreflectthatIamtakingthisresponsibilityseriously.IprayinJesus’name.Amen.

Read:Mark1

This Reading Guide has been designed for use during Part 1

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