Don't forget that
tonight we are having a hotdog cookout that you and your family are invited to.
We will begin our program at 6:00 and eat around 6:30. If you would like to
bring something please bring a salad or dessert to share.
Scripture
Romans 4:13-25 (ESV)
For the promise to Abraham and his offspring that he would be heir
of the world did not come through the law but through the righteousness of
faith. [14] For if it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs,
faith is null and the promise is void. [15] For the law brings wrath, but where
there is no law there is no transgression. [16] That is why it depends on
faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his
offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares
the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, [17] as it is written,
"I have made you the father of many nations"—in the presence of the
God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence
the things that do not exist. [18] In hope he believed against hope, that he
should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, "So shall
your offspring be." [19] He did not weaken in faith when he considered his
own body, which was as good as dead ( since he was about a hundred years old),
or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. [20] No distrust made him
waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave
glory to God, [21] fully convinced that God was able to do what he had
promised. [22] That is why his faith was "counted to him as
righteousness." [23] But the words "it was counted to him" were
not written for his sake alone, [24] but for ours also. It will be counted to
us who believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, [25] who was delivered
up for our trespasses and raised for our justification.
Questions for Reflection
1. How much faith do you put in the promises people make to you?
2. On what basis did Abraham receive the promise of inheriting the world? (4:13)
3. Why would God’s promise be worthless if a person had to keep the Law perfectly to receive it? (4:14-15)
4. What does the Law bring to those who live by it? (4:15)
5. What was God’s promise to Abraham? (4:18)
6. What is true faith?
7. Why is it impossible to be saved by following God’s laws?
8. What is fair or unfair about the fact that all people, including very wicked people, can inherit God’s promises by putting their faith in God?
9. In what ways do people act as if they must earn God’s love?
10. What must a person do to have his or her sins completely forgiven?
