In these first five weeks, we’ll explore the fundamental problem of humanity—sin—and the incredible promise of God’s righteousness. Paul paints a stark picture of the universal problem of sin, but he also provides a powerful promise: the righteousness of God, revealed through faith. We will journey through Paul’s theology of human depravity and God’s provision, grounding ourselves in the reality of both our brokenness and the hope found in Jesus Christ.

This week, Paul introduces the power of the Gospel, declaring it as the means of salvation for everyone who believes. He highlights that the Gospel reveals the righteousness of God and is the foundation upon which the entire letter is built.


How does the Gospel’s power to save and transform affect your daily life and mission?

Read:
Romans 1:1-4
1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God— 2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life[a] was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power[b] by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Cross-Reference:
Mark 1:1;
The beginning of the good news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God,

1 Corinthians 15:1-4:
15 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand. 2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance[a]: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,

Reflection:
Paul identifies himself as a servant of Christ, set apart for the Gospel of God. This Gospel concerns Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Question:
How does understanding the Gospel as God's plan impact your view of your role in spreading it?

Prayer:
Lord, help me embrace my calling to serve You through the Gospel and live out its transformative power.

Read:
Romans 1:5-7
5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from[a] faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be his holy people: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Cross-Reference:
Ephesians 1:17-18;
17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people,
 
1 Peter 1:23: 
23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

Reflection:
Paul speaks of receiving grace and apostleship to call people to obedience through faith. The Gospel is for all who are loved by God.

Question:
How can you respond to God’s call through the Gospel in your own life?

Prayer:
Father, guide me in living out the obedience of faith and sharing Your love with others.

Read:
Romans 1:16-17
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[a] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

Cross-Reference:
Habakkuk 2:4;
“See, the enemy is puffed up;
    his desires are not upright—
    but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.
 
Galatians 3:11
11 Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.”

Reflection:
The Gospel reveals the righteousness of God, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last. It is the power of God for salvation.

Question:
What does it mean to you that the righteousness of God is revealed through faith?

Prayer:
Jesus, I thank You for revealing Your righteousness through the Gospel. Help me live by faith and experience Your salvation daily.

Read:
Romans  3:28
28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

Cross-Reference:
 James 2:24;
24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.
 
 Galatians 2:16:
16 know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in[a] Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

Reflection:
A person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.

Question:
How does knowing that justification comes through faith alone change your perspective on your relationship with God?

Prayer:
 Lord, help me embrace justification by faith and trust in Your grace rather than my own efforts.

Read:
Romans 1:15
15 That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.

Cross-Reference:
 2 Timothy 1:8-9;
8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 9 He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,
 
1 Corinthians 1:18 :
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Reflection:
Paul expresses his eagerness to preach the Gospel because it is the power of God for salvation.

Question:
How can you cultivate a greater eagerness to share the Gospel with others?

Prayer:
Father, give me a burning desire to share Your powerful message of salvation with those around me.

Read:
Romans  1:8-14
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. 9 God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you 10 in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.
11 I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— 12 that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. 13 I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters,[a] that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.
14 I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.

Cross-Reference:
 Philippians 1:12-14:
12 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters,[a] that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel. 13 As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard[b] and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. 14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
 
Colossians 1:6 
6 that has come to you. In the same way, the gospel is bearing fruit and growing throughout the whole world—just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.

Reflection:
Paul expresses his gratitude for the faith of the Romans and his desire to visit them. The Gospel bears fruit and grows in those who receive it.

Question:
How can you let the Gospel bear fruit in your life and through your actions?

Prayer:
Lord, let Your Gospel continue to bear fruit in my life and enable me to support others in their faith journey.

Read:
Romans 1:17-18
17 For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,[a] just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”[b]

God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness,

Cross-Reference:
 Acts 17:30-31;
30 In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 31 For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead.”
 
Romans 10:17
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Reflection:
The Gospel reveals God's righteousness and also brings to light the need for repentance from ungodliness.

Question:
 What changes can you make to ensure that the Gospel's revelation of righteousness impacts every area of your life?

Prayer:
Jesus, help me to live in the light of Your righteousness and to reveal Your truth through my actions and words.