Romans 9:6-13 If, as we saw in our last lesson in Romans 9:1-5, Israel seems to have lost out on the blessings that were once hers, can we conclude then that God's word has failed? This is the issue Paul addresses in this week's lesson. What is Paul specifically referring to when he speaks of God’s word? What is the idea of failing that Paul introduces? What is God's purpose for Israel? In Romans 9-11 Paul speaks of two different Israels. In verses 1-5, of what Israel does he speak? The other Israel he writes about is what we refer to as the true spiritual Israel. In some places Paul speaks of the true Israel or descendants of Abraham as being the whole church, Jews and Gentiles. This is not the case here. How do we know this? What is he referring to? How does Paul prove his point that not all the descendants of Israel are the true spiritual Israel? What are the two promises Paul cites which limit true Israel to less than all the descendants of Abraham and Isaac? Of what does God speak when He gives his promise to Rebekah concerning what she is experiencing in her womb? How do we know that this passage is not addressing God's dealing with individuals, but with nations or groups of people? What does God mean when He says "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated?" What is the main point that Paul seeks to establish in Romans 9-11, and how will we know if he succeeds? (62 min)

Keywords Israel, Promise, Predestined, Calling, Jacob, Esau, Ishamael, Isaac

Romans 9:1-5 In this lesson we begin our study of Romans 9-11. People view these chapters from a variety of perspectives, and some simply avoid studying them because of the difficulties they present. What are some of the questions we are confronted with in these chapters? Are these three chapters an appendix to Paul's main thrust in Romans, or do they contain matters that directly relate to that emphasis? Is Paul concerned here chiefly with issues pertaining to individual salvation, or does he have something else in view? How can one be careful, when interpreting specific verses or points in these chapters, to ensure that he or she is finding the right interpretation? What two groups of people does Paul concern himself with in these chapters? As Paul opens his discussion in 9:1-5, why is he so insistent that he is telling the truth? Paul speaks of his "great sorrow" and his "unceasing grief." What is he so sorrowful about? To what extreme can Paul imagine going in order to alleviate his sorrow? What does scripture say about such a suggestion? How can Paul's remarks in this passage be likened to looking on the ruins of a great civilization? (69 min)

Keywords Israel, Jews, Predestined, Adoption

Romans 8:37-39 In these verses Paul continues his concluding thoughts on the security of the child of God in God's love. When we are saved we receive the promise of eventually being glorified with Christ. Yet between those two events we encounter numerous adversities, many of them very severe. What does Paul mean when he says that through all of those things we are more than conquerors? What is it that ensures our overwhelming victory through sufferings? If God's heart is moved when He sees people suffer, as we know it is, then what is it about sufferings that Paul suggests someone might think would separate them from the love of God. How do we know that that will not separate us from His love? This brings up a troubling question, however, which Paul will go on to answer in the following chapters: If God's children are forever secure in HIs love, then what about the Jews, hasn't God rejected them? (66 min)

Keywords Glory, Love, Security

Romans 8:35-36 Having settled the issue that our sin no longer imperils the believer's safety in God's love, Paul now turns his attention to the circumstances and persons in our life whom we might fear could rob us of God's love. Paul's own life provides an evidence of what he tells us in these verses. What did God make clear about Paul’s future life as a Christian to Ananias? What did Paul mean in his second letter to the Corinthians when he wrote about always carrying in his body the death of Christ? What was the outcome for the Corinthians of Paul's experience of "dying daily?" Was Paul exaggerating when he wrote about the extent of his struggles? Were all of Paul's afflictions a direct result of persecution, or did they include other things. If Jesus promised that if we seek God's kingdom first, all "these things" that we need will be provided, how do we account for the fact that Paul at times experienced hunger, thirst, and exposure? What is the importance of Paul's quote from Psalm 44 about being put to death all day long? (58 min)

Keywords Love, Tribulation, Security

Romans 8:33-34 In this week’s lesson Paul continues to address the subject of the security of the believer. He uses a series of terms that have a legal usage, and create for us the picture of a courtroom in which we ourselves stand "in the dock." If we were to find ourselves on trial in the divine courtroom, who are the parties that we can imagine we would find bringing charges against us? Who would be the greatest and most telling witness against us? Why does one of God's children not need to fear such charges being brought? In a court of law, who is the one who pronounces the final punishment or condemnation? Who holds this position in the final judgment of mankind? Why does a Christian not need to fear such a condemnation? What are the four things that Christ Jesus has done that relate to the subject of the Christian's security in God's love? What are some of the things we know that Jesus is praying for us? Who does the most damage to the biblical doctrine of the security of the child of God? (58 min)

Keywords Judgment, Justification, Condemnation, Security