(Romans 1–4 Review) "Justification Through Faith"

JUSTIFICATION THROUGH FAITH

Romans 1:1–4:25 (Go to ESV passage)

Key Verses: 3:23–24, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus"

1. Read Romans 3:10–20. Paul’s description here is like a mirror of our inner state. Why would we rather justify ourselves than admit this painful truth of who we really are? How does the Law (the standard of God) show us our need for something better?
2. Read Romans 3:23–26. We are used to working for what we get––wages for work, rewards for performance. But God justifies us (makes us right with him) as a “gift,” not a “wage.” How does this shift from “earning” to “receiving” change our daily walk with God? How does it give us a security that our best efforts cannot?
3. Read Romans 4:16–22. Abraham’s faith was not just believing facts; it was trusting God’s promise against all odds. When your life circumstances seem contrary to God’s promises, what does it practically look like to "grow strong in faith" (verse 20) rather than retreating into doubt or self-reliance?
4. The outward effect: Read Romans 3:27–30. Justification is a gift received by faith—not something earned. Why does this good news exclude all human boasting and social pride? If we all can be made right with God in the same way, who are the “Gentiles” (the people outside our usual circle) that God is calling us to reach today?