our identity
How do you define yourself? By what you do? By what you believe? There are those who base their identity in their children or parents. Some identify themselves based on their political alignment. Some base their identity in their sexuality or gender. It could even be on the latest trend from YouTube. As Christians, though, our identity isn’t based on any of the above reasons. WHO WE ARE is based on WHO WE KNOW and more importantly WHO KNOWS US.
A Romans Study
YOU ARE KNOWN is a year-long look at Paul’s Letter to the Romans. In his letter he gives a very long and detailed look at The Good News of Jesus Christ, often called The Gospel. He talks about the importance of needing God, but more importantly that God responded to that need through his son, Jesus Christ. Over the year, we will be dividing Romans up into four major series, yet each of them will be connected by a series of questions we’ll ask each week: Who is God? Who are we? What do we do? With these three questions, I believe we can tackle head-on the question of identity that has plagued not just our culture, but our lives for centuries!
cultural issues
Paul's letter to the Romans is just as relevant to our day as it was back in Paul's day. Though our students may find it difficult to relate in some areas, when we are able to understand their context back then, we will be able to see how the same truths Paul speaks of can apply to us today. Topics like:
But at the route of Paul's letter, we find it is only in Jesus Christ that we can find any answers at all.
PAUL'S LETTER TO THE ROMANS
Below are some helpful tools to better read and understand the book of Romans...
(click above for a brief overview to help gain context and purpose of Paul's writing)
THE BIBLE PROJECT: ROMANS 1-4
THE BIBLE PROJECT: ROMANS 5-16
YOU ARE KNOWN
THE FOUR SERIES OF ROMANS
Series 1: A Common Ground [SEP-OCT]
ROMANS 1-3
If there are divisions, differences, or disunity among us then we all must find some common ground before we can unify. Paul teaches that ultimately there is NO ONE RIGHTEOUS (no Jew nor Gentile; no democrat or republican; no left leaning or right leaning; no gay or straight; no male or female...), and because of our lack of righteousness, we are destined to be apart from God. BUT God, in his mercy, has brought righteousness to us through Jesus Christ.
MORE INFORMATION COMING NEXT WEEK
series 2: the three laws [NOV-JAN]
ROMANS 6-8
Gentiles worshiped the Law of Sin (#1). They followed their own desires and lusts and believed in sin which ultimately led to death. For the Jews, they worshiped the Law of God (#2). Through the Old Testament Law, which was given to the Jews, humanity was told how to live. The Jews, however, failed to follow through in living according to The Law AND by also not being a beacon of hope to the world. Therefore, through Jesus Christ, we are now given a new law: The Law of the Spirit of Life (#3). Through this law there is no condemnation. There is no slavery. There is only freedom! Freedom to no longer live for ourselves, but live for the one in whose love cannot be separated from us!
MORE INFORMATION COMING IN OCTOBER
series 3: the remnant of israel [FEB]
ROMANS 9-11
God still holds a pretty special place for his Chosen People, Israel. These three chapters explain to the Roman Gentiles how important the Jews are in God’s plan of Salvation. The goal here is that we help our students see the significance of ALL people in God’s redemptive plan. Furthermore, we cannot count anyone out who may be different from us or we are at odds with, nor should we ever assume that because we are from a certain family, or done certain acts that we have received salvation. Salvation comes from the Lord alone, and is received by faith in his work on the cross.
MORE INFORMATION COMING IN JANUARY '22
series 4: a living sacrifice [MAR-APR]
ROMANS 12-16
Now that we are aware of God’s work throughout history, both in the lives of Jews and Gentiles, we must recognize we have been made righteous through the work of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. In our righteousness through Jesus, therefore, we must now offer ourselves to God through our service, work, and devotion to now be involved in his work of redemption in the world.
MORE INFORMATION COMING IN FEBRUARY '22
