Good News

GETTING STARTED

The gospel. If you have been around church very long, you have probably heard that phrase. It is one of those phrases that we think we understand, but if someone asked us to define it, we might struggle. The word gospel literally means “good news.” When you open a newspaper or click on a news webpage, it’s rare to see good news. The Bible offers a story that’s based on good news, and the book of Romans walks us through the truth and life-changing power of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

  • What is a piece of good news you remember receiving?

READ THE WORD: ROMANS 1:1-7 (ESV) 

1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, 2 which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, 3 concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh 4 and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, 5 through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, 6 including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

7 To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. What words or phrases are used to describe Paul?
  2. What do you think are some qualities and characteristics of a servant?
  3. What are some key truths about Jesus that Paul pointed out in verses 3-4?
  4. What does God give all those who follow Jesus (vs. 7)? What difference would it make in your life if you lived as one loved and called, walking in God’s grace and peace?

RESPOND TO GOD

Religion tells us that if we do certain things, live a certain way, and believe certain doctrines, we will have grace and peace with God. I like to think of this philosophy as DO. If I DO what I am supposed to, God will be pleased and reward me. However, the message of the gospel is better understood with the word DONE. The truth from God’s Word is that there is nothing you can DO to earn God’s favor. We are too broken by our sinful natures. Since we are broken, Jesus has DONE the work for us through his substitutionary death on the cross, making it possible to receive grace and peace with God. And that’s good news.

  • Ask God to help the truth of the gospel to go deep in your life.
  • Thank him for giving you grace and peace through Jesus.