Table Talk: ROMANS: WEEK 4
ROMANS: Part 1: THE GREAT REVELATION
This first movement of Romans (chapters 1–4) lays the foundation for understanding the gospel by revealing humanity’s deep need and God’s gracious solution. Paul begins with the good news that God has made a way to set things right (1:1–17), then unpacks the problem: all people, whether obviously sinful or outwardly religious, fall short of God’s perfect standard and stand under His judgment (1:18–3:20). But into this hopelessness, God reveals His righteousness through Jesus—offering justification as a gift, received by faith and not by works (3:21–31). To make it clear, Paul points to Abraham as the example of being made right with God through faith alone, showing that salvation has always been by trusting in God’s promise rather than human effort (4:1–25). Together, these chapters remind us that the gospel levels the ground for all and calls us to a faith that relies fully on God’s grace.
Spiritual Practice: CONFESSION
We believe that Jesus’ teaching is more than just knowledge for our minds (though it certainly includes that). It should transform us from within that flows outward into our actions. By practicing the ways of Jesus, we are being shaped into a people who look more and more like Him.
Confession may be good for the soul, but it can be very hard to do. We are invested in looking like good, moral people. After all, appearing good is one way of dealing with the notion that something is wrong with us. But this very appearance of goodness can be a way we defend ourselves against our sin. For when we can’t see our sin we have nothing to confess.
Every time we confess how we have missed the mark of God’s love and truth, we open ourselves up to the mending work of the cross. Jesus’ wounds hold true life-changing power. This is the shocking reality that confession can open up to us. Through confession and forgiveness we live into the truth of being God’s new creation! The old is gone. The new has come.”
Set aside some time for confession and self-examination. In the presence of God ask for light to pierce your defenses.Then ask yourself, Who have I injured recently through thoughtlessness, neglect, anger and so on?
As the Holy Spirit brings people to mind, confess your feelings about these people to God. Ask God to forgive you and if need be to give you grace to forgive them.
Write an apology; make a phone call or confess out loud in an attempt to put the relationship back on track.*Adapted from Adele Calhoun’s The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook.
Prayer
You can pray this prayer daily during the sermon series, or use it as a closing for table conversations each week.
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
From the Book of Common Prayer
SERMON SUMMARY Outward religious practice isn't enough; true change comes from the heart, and God remains faithful even when people are not.
Passage: Romans 2:17-3:8
Conversation Starters
Kids
Have you ever had to clean a room at your house? What if, instead of putting things away where they belonged, you just stuffed everything in a closet or under some furniture so it looked clean? Is the room really clean if toys or trash are hiding where they don’t belong? The Bible says our hearts can be like that messy room. We can do good things but our hearts are hiding anger or selfishness or unkindness. We need Jesus to help clean up our hearts from the inside out!
Students
In school, on social media, or even at church, people often have an image they try to present (ie- the cool one, the smart one, the spiritual one). Sometimes this doesn’t match how they feel on the inside. Do you ever feel pressure to look a certain way, even if your heart is struggling? How can we live more authentically before God and others? What stands in the way of truly admitting our struggles to one another and to God?
The Bible says God is always faithful, even when people aren't. What does it mean to you that even if you mess up constantly, God's promises and love for you don't change?
Adults
Discuss the temptation to confuse outward conformity (to church standards or social norms) with inward transformation. Where in your life are you currently tempted to rely on the appearance of goodness rather than the daily surrender of the heart?
Paul transitions here to assert that God remains faithful even when people are not (Romans 3:3-4). How does the unwavering faithfulness of God provide a secure foundation, especially when you feel like you are failing to meet certain standards of obedience?
