When In Rome: Faith Anatomy

Here are some questions to help you process this message and apply it to your life:

1. As a child, what did you dream about wanting to be when you grew up?

2. How would you define faith? Did that definition change after reading Romans chapter 4?

3. Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness. (Romans 4:4-5)

What stands out to you in those verses? Does Deal #2 seem too good to be true?

4. David says the same thing when he speaks of how blessed (fortunate or lucky, it describes them in The Message) the person is to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: “Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them." (Romans 4:6-8)

David acknowledges he is a sinner—and yet he knows he is still blessed, because “the Lord will never count [his sin] against him” Have you ever wondered if God has truly forgiven you? Why/why not? What would it take for you to embrace forgiveness like David did?

5. Even when there was no reason for hope, Abraham kept hoping—believing that he would become the father of many nations. For God had said to him, “That’s how many descendants you will have!” (Romans 4:18) 

Can you think of times that you have acted in faith when it was hard? Are you being asked to do so right now?

6. Commit to read through Romans 4 and Psalm 32 at least once this week as a reminder that Jesus is who He said He is - God - and that He is good and can be trusted to do everything He’s promised to do.