INTRODUCTION

Romans is an incredibly rewarding and challenging book. There is so much to gain from studying it, regardless of whether you're a young Christian or a mature Christian. Even if you're familiar with it you can never really master Romans. Martin Luther thought Romans was so important that he encouraged every Christian to memorise the entire book. There's a challenge for you!

The letter was written by Paul in about 57 A.D., possibly from Corinth in Greece, as he prepared to leave for Jerusalem with a gift for the poor (15:25). He hoped to go from Jerusalem to Spain to preach the gospel and stop by Rome on the way (15:23-24, 28). He did make it eventually to Rome but as a prisoner rather than a free man (Acts 28:16).

Our hope is that as you read Romans you'll be struck once again by the gospel, that you'll be spurred on to live sacrificially for God, and that you'll grow in repentance and Christian maturity.

Each reading should take about 10-15 minutes and comes with a Today's Prayer Suggestion (TPS for short). Here's a prayer you could use before reading God's word in Romans each day:

Father God,

Thank you that you speak to us in your word.

Thank you that you've given us your Holy Spirit to help us understand and apply it.

DAY 1 ROMANS 1:1-6

In his greeting Paul says that he was called to be apostle. An apostle is an authoritative messenger sent by God (read more on apostleship in Acts 1:21-26, 1 Cor 15:7-10, 1 Cor 12:12, and don’t miss Acts 9:1-16 and its spectacular account of Paul’s conversion and commissioning!)

Read Romans 1:1-6. What do we learn about Paul?

Paul gives a summary of his gospel here. What is the gospel according to Paul?

What is the right response to the gospel in verse 5?

Today’s Prayer Suggestions

1. Thank God that he has made the gospel known through the Apostles and their writing. Pray that you would be personally convicted of the truth and importance of the gospel -- the momentous news about Jesus Christ, our Saviour and King.

2. Pray for wisdom for our staff and elders in identifying potential future leaders within our congregation.

3. Mark & Anne Osborne: Pray for faithfulness and effectiveness in Bible translation.