Bible ReadingRomans 2:12–29Verse 12: “For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law.”
[38:30]Verse 13: “For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.”
[43:09]Verses 14–15: “For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them.”
[47:39]Verse 16: “On that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus.”
[48:04]Verses 17–20: “But if you call yourself a Jew and rely on the law and boast in God and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law; and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth—”
[51:19]Verses 21–24: “You then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. For, as it is written, ‘The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.’”
[01:03:50]Verses 25–27: “For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. So, if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Then he who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision but break the law.”
[01:06:26]Verses 28–29: “For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the letter. His praise is not from man but from God.”
[01:07:04]Matthew 7:24–27Verse 24: “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”
[44:17]Verse 25: “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.”
[44:23]Verse 26: “And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.”
[44:53]Verse 27: “And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was its fall.”
[47:06]1 Corinthians 8:1“Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that ‘all of us possess knowledge.’ This ‘knowledge’ puffs up, but love builds up.”
[55:53]Luke 12:41–48“Peter said, ‘Lord, are you telling this parable for us or for all?’ And the Lord said, ‘Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that servant says in his heart, “My master is delayed in coming,” and begins to beat the male and female servants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces and put him with the unfaithful. And that servant who knew his master’s will but did not get ready or act according to his will, will receive a severe beating. But the one who did not know, and did what deserved a beating, will receive a light beating. Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.’”
[42:19]Observation questions- In Romans 2:12–16, what different sources of moral knowledge does Paul describe, and what does he say God will judge?
- What is the one key difference between the two builders in Matthew 7, even though both of them hear Jesus’ words? [44:53]
- What questions does Paul ask the religious teacher in Romans 2:21–24, and what does he say happens to God’s name when the teacher does not live what he teaches? [01:03:50]
- According to Romans 2:25–29, what is the difference between an outward sign and the inward work God wants to do? [01:08:44]
Interpretation questions- Romans 2 says that God judges people according to the light they have received, including the secrets of their hearts. How does this challenge the idea that a person can be accepted by God simply by claiming ignorance? [42:54]
- Jesus says the house on the rock belongs to the person who hears and does His words. Why is hearing truth without acting on it compared to building on sand rather than rock? [46:47]
- Paul does not reject knowledge of Scripture, but he warns that knowledge can become proud and disconnected from God. What might it look like for a Christian to hold tightly to Jesus and Scripture while remaining humble about lesser matters? [01:03:13]
- Circumcision and baptism are outward signs connected to faith and obedience. Why is it dangerous when a person begins to trust the sign, the church activity, or the tradition instead of trusting Christ Himself? [01:10:14]
Application questions- What is one truth from Scripture that has been heard often but has not yet moved into everyday obedience? What would doing that truth look like this week? [47:20]
- The conscience can expose failure, but it cannot remove guilt. When does the tendency show up to measure others by standards that are difficult to keep personally? [50:27]
- Religious knowledge can make a person feel like a guide, a light, or an expert over others. Are there conversations, online habits, or church settings where pride shows up more easily? What would humility look like there? [01:00:25]
- David asked God for direction again when the same battle returned, rather than assuming yesterday’s instructions were enough. Is there a familiar situation where it would be good to stop, pray, and ask God for fresh direction instead of running on autopilot? [59:01]
- Romans 2 warns that hypocrisy can cause others to speak badly about God’s name. Is there a gap between a Christian claim and a daily practice—at home, at work, with money, in speech, or online—that needs honest attention? [01:06:03]
- Baptism, communion, church attendance, giving, fasting, and other practices are good gifts, but they cannot save. Which outward practices are easiest to lean on for reassurance, and how can they become a response to faith rather than a replacement for faith? [01:10:57]
- Every person is like a drowning sinner trying to swim an impossible distance; conscience, knowledge, morality, and rituals cannot get anyone home. Has personal trust been placed in Jesus Christ alone for salvation? If so, what helps keep that trust centered on Him rather than on personal performance? [01:13:07]
