Reading Plan : Paul's letter to the Romans

INTRODUCTION

 Over the next three months we are going on a journey through Paul’s Letter to the Romans; a letter widely considered to be the most important and most influential of all the NT documents. The Book of Romans is a profound and pivotal text that illuminates the intersection of God's identity and His mission through humanity. It reveals God's dynamic mission to build a loving community through His image bearers.

The title for this series is our church mission statement; Our Mission is to Learn, Live and Share the Good News of Jesus. There is no better NT document to turn to than Romans to learn what this good news is, how this good news transforms the way we live, and why this good news creates in us a sense of urgency to share it.

Paul wrote to prepare for his visit to Rome, encourage the believers, request support for his mission to Spain, and seek prayer for his trip to Jerusalem, but his primary purpose was to explain and defend the gospel of Jesus' incarnation, crucifixion, and resurrection, clarifying that both Jews and Gentiles are equally in need of salvation and accepted by God on the basis of faith alone, not the Mosaic Law; his letter highlights key themes such as God's faithfulness, righteousness, and the call for unity, aiming to resolve tensions between returning Jewish Christians and the Gentile majority.

In this reading plan, we will strive to provide insights into the historical, cultural, and theological contexts that influenced Paul's letter, helping you understand the depth and relevance of Romans for today’s believers. By appreciating both the divine revelations and the human contexts, you will gain a deeper appreciation for Romans’ timeless message of unity, faith, and divine promise.

Highlights and overview

• Key themes include the insufficiency of the law, the relationship between sin and death, and the transformative role of the Holy Spirit.
• Paul greets diverse members of the Roman church, reinforcing inclusivity. 
• Paul is unashamed of the gospel, which is God's power for salvation.
• The righteousness of God is revealed through faith in the gospel.
• God's righteousness, demonstrated in the gospel, brings both salvation and universal wrath against unrighteousness.
• All humanity, both Jews and Gentiles, are under sin and thus subject to God's judgment.
• Faithfulness of God is the foundation for human faithfulness and righteousness.
• The law is inadequate for justification; instead, God's righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ.
• The solution for salvation is through God's grace, accepted by faith.
• Justification is achieved by faith, independent of works.
• Justification by faith brings peace and hope, transforming suffering into endurance, character, and hope through God's love.
• Sanctification emphasizes living a transformed life following justification. The Holy Spirit plays a key role in the transformative process.
• Paul's conclusion has a focus on the 'obedience of faith,' which urges unity in remembrance of God's promises.

 1: Romans 1:1-7 - Introduction and the Gospel
 2: Romans 1:8-17 - Paul’s Thanksgiving and The Power of the Gospel.
 3: Romans 1:18-23 - The Revelation of God’s Wrath and Human Idolatry
 4: Romans 1:24-32 - Human Sin and Degradation
 5: Romans 2:1-11 - God’s Impartial Judgment
 6: Romans 2:12-29 - The Role of the Law and Israel’s Situation
 7: Romans 3:1-8 - The Law and God’s Faithfulness
 8: Romans 3:9-20 - All Under Sin
 9: Romans 3:21-31 - Righteousness Through Faith and the Law’s Role
 10: Romans 4:1-8 - Abraham’s Faith and Justification
 11: Romans 4:9-17 - The Righteousness of Faith and Abraham’s Faith
 12: Romans 4:18-25 - Abraham’s Faith and God’s Promise
 13: Romans 5:1-5 - Peace and Hope Through Faith
 14: Romans 5:6-11 - The Assurance of Salvation Through Christ’s Death
 15: Romans 5:12-17 - The Role of Adam and Christ
 16: Romans 5:18-21 - The Contrast of Sin and Grace
 17: Romans 6:1-14 - Death to Sin and New Life
 18: Romans 6:15-23 - The Results of Sin and the Fruit of Righteousness
 19: Romans 7:1-6 - The Law and Relationship with Christ
 20: Romans 7:7-13 - The Law and Sin
 21: Romans 7:14-25 - The Struggle Between Sin and Righteousness
 22: Romans 8:1-11 - The Work of the Spirit and Christian Freedom
 23: Romans 8:12-17 - Walking in the Spirit: Embracing Suffering on the Path to Glory
 24: Romans 8:18-27 - Present Suffering and Future Glory
 25: Romans 8:28-30 - God’s Foreknowledge and Calling
 26: Romans 8:31-39 - God’s Love and the Christian’s Victory
 27: Romans 9:1-13 - God’s Sovereignty and Israel’s Choice
 28: Romans 9:14-29 - God’s Justice and Mercy
 29: Romans 9:30-33 - The Way of Faith and Israel’s Failure
 30: Romans 10:1-13 - The Way of Faith and Salvation
 31: Romans 10:14-21 - Evangelism and Israel’s Response
 32: Romans 11:1-10 - The Remnant of Israel
 33: Romans 11:11-24 - Israel’s Unbelief and the Salvation of the Gentiles
 34: Romans 11:25-32 - The Restoration of Israel and God’s Plan
 35: Romans 11:33-36 - God’s Wisdom and Glory
 36: Romans 12:1-8 - Christian Dedication and Gifts
 37: Romans 12:9-21 - The Ethics of Love and Character
 38: Romans 13:1-7 - Government and Christian Responsibility
 39: Romans 13:8-14 - The Law of Love and Christian Conduct
 40: Romans 14:1-12 - Faith Freedom and Community
 41: Romans 14:13-23 - Living Considerately
 42: Romans 15:1-7 - Living with Mutual Acceptance
 43: Romans 15:8-13 - Christ’s Mission and the Salvation of the Gentiles
 44: Romans 15:14-21 - Paul’s Mission and Plans
 45: Romans 15:22-33 - Paul’s Travel Plans and Prayer Requests
 46: Romans 16:1-16 - Personal Greetings and Recommendations
 47: Romans 16:17-20 - Warnings and Exhortations
 48: Romans 16:21-27 - Final Greetings and Benediction