The Book of Romans

LETTER
FROM THE EDITOR

Friends,

Our team has been buzzing about the newest issue of The
Press – The Book of Romans. This is such an exciting book that
will have you feeling renewed, refreshed, and hopeful. It’s a
letter that reads in such a way to bring you into the grace and
unconditional, sacrificial love of Jesus Christ. Paul takes the time
to write and explain that the Old Testament Law magnified our
humanity which created awareness of our need for a perfect
Savior. He didn’t die because we deserved it, He lovingly died
because we so desperately needed a Savior.

As a team, we are praying that you would be released from the

legalism of religion and laws and find grace and feel
empowered to live a new life as the righteousness of Jesus
Christ. Praying God would strengthen you to live a life of
sacrificial love that would show others what Jesus’ love really
looks like and represent the Good News of the Gospel daily.

Let’s get started!

EMILY MANKE
iDisciple Brand Manager
TABLE OF CONTENTS THE BOOK OF ROMANS
Week 1

Day 1 Paul’s Greeting

Day 2 The Righteous Live by Faith

Day 3 God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness

Day 4 Ignoring God Leads to a Downward Spiral

Day 5 God’s Righteous Judgment

Week 2
Day 6 God’s Righteousness

Memory Verse | Don’t you see how wonderfully kind, tolerant, Day 7 The Righteousness of God Through Faith
and patient God is with you? Does this mean nothing to you?
Can’t you see that his kindness is intended to turn you from your
sin? - Romans 2:4 Day 8 The Promise of Faith vs Keeping the Law

Rome: Walking "The Roman Road" Day 9 Developing Patience

Day 10 The Gift of Grace Greater Than Sin

Day 11 When Death Becomes Life

Day 12 What is True Freedom?

Day 13 Released from the Law

Memory Verse | But no one earns God’s righteousness. It

Week 3 can only be transferred when we no longer rely on our own
works, but believe in the one who powerfully declares the
ungodly to be righteous in his eyes. It is faith that transfers
Day 14 The Purpose of the Law God’s righteousness into your account! - Romans 4:5

Day 15 Living by the Power of the Holy Spirit The Unbelievably Good News That
We Believe
Day 16 A Glorious Destiny

Day 17 The Triumph of God’s Love

Day 18 God’s Freedom of Choice

Day 19 Good News for All People

Day 20 God Will Not Forget His Promises to Israel

Memory Verse | So we are convinced that every detail of

our lives is continually woven together for good, for we are
his lovers who have been called to fulfill his designed
purpose. - Romans 8:28

Are You a Romans 8:14 Christian?

TABLE OF CONTENTS THE BOOK OF ROMANS

Week 4

Day 21 Pruning and Grafting Branches

Day 22 A Complete Israel

Day 23 Your Proper Role in the Body of Christ

Day 24 Transformed Relationships

Day 25 Our Relationship with Civil Authorities

Day 26 Fulfilling the Law Through Love

Day 27 Unity amid Diversity

Memory Verse | Never let evil defeat you, but defeat evil
with good. - Romans 12:21

Peace Out and Good Riddance

Week 5

Day 28 Walking in Love

Day 29 Love is the Key to Unity

Day 30 Paul’s Reason for Writing

Day 31 Paul’s Final Instructions

Memory Verse | Now, those who are mature in their faith

can easily be recognized, for they don’t live to please
themselves but have learned to patiently embrace others in
their immaturity. Our goal must be to empower others to do
what is right and good for them, and to bring them into
spiritual maturity. - Romans 15:1-2

Final Prayer
BEFORE YOU BEGIN READING…
The book of Romans was a letter written from the Apostle Paul to The Roman Church. To
give some context, prior to this letter, the church was made up of both Jews and
Gentiles. Emperor Claudius, at the time, saw the growth of the church and heard that
some Jews were following a man named “Christus.” Not realizing that the church was
made up of both Jews and Gentiles the Emperor issued a decree that exiled all the Jews
from Rome. This left the Gentiles, Synagogues, and house churches without Jewish
traditions, knowledge, and teachers. Without this guidance, the Gentiles continued life in
their Gentile culture.

After about five years, the Jews began making their way back and tensions in the church
began to rise. The Jews and Gentiles began to realize that they viewed the Old
Testament Law differently, causing division. The Jews were trying to hold the Gentiles to
the law in order to make them righteous and justified. They couldn’t understand how God
would let the Gentiles be a part of His chosen people when they wouldn’t follow all the
laws perfectly. The real root of tension and disunity in the church was their inability to
love one another despite their differences. Each side was choosing to camp out in their
own beliefs and needs over having humility and working together in love to figure out
and understand God’s intentions for them.
Paul shattered the Jews way of thinking by writing to them and boldly saying there is not
a single person that has followed the laws perfectly, therefore, everyone needs the Good
News of the Gospel. He explained that the law was there to explain what sin is, but no
one can be made new by it. It doesn’t make you righteous or justified, but anyone that
has faith in Jesus and believes in the Gospel will be empowered to follow the law. Paul
ultimately calls both sides of The Roman Church to action by offering their bodies as a
living sacrifice and to be transformed by the renewing of their minds to bring back unity
in the church. He was urging them to realize that the good news out of falling short was
that Jesus saves us not because we deserve it but because we need it. This justified the
ask of sacrificial love towards one another because Jesus followed all the laws and still
laid down His life in love. What was to unify them now was their faith, not their birthright
or background. This resolved the tension and division between Jews and Gentiles.

The point of Romans was to show the world that the law was meant to magnify our
humanity to show everyone our need for the Gospel. This is what brings unity to the
church.

Author: Paul
OUTLINE

Audience: The Roman Church

Major Themes: The power of the Gospel, salvation,
righteousness and justification, unity in the church
Chapters 1-4 – The Gospel Reveals God’s
Righteousness
Chapters 5-8 – The Gospel Creates New Life
Chapters 9-11 – The Gospel Fulfills God’s Promise of a
New Covenant Family
Chapters 12-16 – The Gospel Unifies the Church
DAY ONE REFLECTION QUESTION
Often in the church, we are warned about letting ourselves
PAUL’S GREETING
become a slave to our sin. Yet, in this opening of Romans, Paul
ROMANS 1:1-7
declares Himself a slave to Christ, further pointing to the Scripture
that tells us we can only serve one master. The blessing is that
Christ does not look at us as “slaves” in the average sense, but
gives us the title of His children. Do you consider yourself a slave (or
servant) of Christ’s? Or does it feel more like a burden to love and
be loved by Him?

the book of ROMANS

DAY TWO REFLECTION QUESTION
Throughout the New Testament, many of Paul’s letters begin with a
THE RIGHTEOUS LIVE greeting like this passage: He is always praying for the church he is
BY FAITH writing to, and he always wishes to be able to be with them. Take a
ROMANS 1:8-17 look at your own community—does it look like this? Do you have
people you know are praying for you and people you are
continuously praying for? Paul sets a pretty clear example of what
fellowship with other believers should look like.

DAY THREE REFLECTION QUESTION

Do you ever find yourself not wanting to tell people that you are a
GOD’S WRATH ON Christian? We might not ever feel point blank “ashamed of the
UNRIGHTEOUSNESS Gospel,” but how often do we make the little choices to not do the
ROMANS 1:18-21 right thing or sway from giving someone encouraging advice from
Scripture just because we feel a little shaky about standing firm in
our beliefs around people who don’t necessarily share those
beliefs?

DAY FOUR REFLECTION QUESTION

A major theme of this letter from Paul is that the root of all sin
IGNORING GOD LEADS comes down to people deciding they would rather worship the
TO A DOWNWARD created instead of the Creator. It’s a regular trap we can fall into,
SPIRAL maybe even sometimes without realizing it. What created things in
ROMANS 1:22-32 your life tend to take the place of God? Identify them so that you
know what you need to give to God in order to put Him at the
center of your life always, especially when your attention begins to
drift.

DAY FIVE REFLECTION QUESTION

God’s kindness is meant to lead us to repentance. Take inventory of
GOD’S RIGHTEOUS your life today: do you tend to abuse God’s grace like Paul talks
JUDGEMENT about in this passage? Do you look at His forgiveness as a pass to
ROMANS 2:1-29 keep messing up, or do you take His mercy as an invitation to be
more like Him?

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DAY SIX REFLECTION QUESTION
How often do you let other people’s actions affect what you
GOD’S
believe and think about God? Romans is clear in these verses that
RIGHTEOUSNESS
when everyone else fails us and lies and doesn’t represent Jesus
ROMANS 3:1-8
well, God will be the one who stays true.

the book of ROMANS

 MEMORY
VERSE

Don’t you see how wonderfully kind,

tolerant, and patient God is with
you? Does this mean nothing to you?
Can’t you see that his kindness is
intended to turn you from your sin?

Romans 2:4

Rome:
Walking "The
Roman Road"
David Mainse
Will you walk "The Roman Road" to develop
a personal faith in Jesus Christ?
Today’s Reading: Romans 1-2
Key Verse: Romans 1:7
To all who are in Rome, beloved of God,
called to be saints…
“All” – could that include even the Emperor? It
would be another 300 years before Emperor
Constantine became a believer in Jesus. The
Apostle Paul, writer of Romans, begins here
with the Jewish people who lived in Rome. It is
believed that Paul wrote to the Romans in 56
A.D. from Corinth during his third missionary
journey. It is not his first letter to the churches,
but it is placed first because of its length and
vital importance to the understanding of
salvation. Millions of people have followed
“The Roman Road” to a personal faith in Jesus.
The mileposts on the road are: (1) Romans 3:23
– “All have sinned.” Confess that we are sinners
in need of the Savior. (2) Romans 6:23 – “The
gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our
Lord.” Receive God’s gift by confessing that
we have received Jesus into our lives. (3)
Romans 10:9-10 – Believe that God raised Jesus
from the dead, and tell someone that we have
received Him, believed in Him, and that we
now believe we have eternal life in Him.
FIND MORE ON IDISCIPLE.ORG
reads
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, I am walking “The Roman Road”
again today. I confess before You my faith in
You, and I commit to You that when others rise
from sleep, I’ll seek an opportunity to confess
You with my mouth. Keep me daily, I pray, in
the center of Your will and purpose for me as
a believer. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
It is believed that for a person in a coma,
hearing is the last sense to go. The person
cannot confess with their mouth, and I’ve told
several comatose victims to think their
confession. As well, I’ve ministered to stroke
victims who can’t speak, and they’ve
confessed by nodding their heads. For me, the
moment I confessed Jesus with my mouth, I
knew I was right with God. Just to confirm that
faith, the next day, I went forward at an
evangelist’s call. As a 16-year-old, I repeated
John 6:37. “You said, Lord Jesus, that if I come
to You, You would receive me. I’ve come to
You. I believe in You. I know that You have
received me.” Repeating that several times,
got through to my entire being. I’ve never
doubted my salvation since that time.
Hallelujah!
DAY SEVEN REFLECTION QUESTION
How often do you find yourself trying to stick so rigidly to the
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS commands God has given us? On the contrary, how often do you
OF GOD THROUGH find yourself neglecting those very commands because of what
FAITH Christ did on the cross for you? The law was given as a reminder
ROMANS 3:9-31 that there is nothing we can do to save ourselves because we can’t
even live up to the bar God has given us. It’s our reminder for why
we need grace!

DAY EIGHT REFLECTION QUESTION

In verse 20, Paul writes about how no unbelief made Abraham
THE PROMISE OF FAITH
waiver from believing that God would keep His promise despite
VS KEEPING THE LAW
how low the chances seemed. This is the difference between faith
ROMANS 4:1-25
and the law: one condemns while the other gives hope. Do you
think you have a faith that wouldn’t waiver if you were staring at an
impossibility in front of you?

DAY NINE REFLECTION QUESTION

DEVELOPING PATIENCE Paul encourages us in our sufferings, saying that it in fact ends up
ROMANS 5:1-11 producing hope. Can you think of a previous season of suffering
you endured? Can you see now the strength that it gave you and
the hope you received in the end? Take some time to write about it
in your journal!

DAY TEN REFLECTION QUESTION

Do you ever look at your sin as something that negates your
THE GIFT OF GRACE salvation or makes you unworthy of being able to sit in God’s
GREATER THAN SIN presence? This reminder in this passage in Romans boldly claims
ROMANS 5:12-21 that, while sin has the power to keep us away from God, Christ’s
sacrifice and grace is much more powerful and abounding even
more to cover all for an eternity.

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 REFLECTION QUESTION
DAY ELEVEN
What’s interesting about this passage is the way that Paul paints
WHEN DEATH the picture of how we die to our sin – at the end of the day, a
BECOMES LIFE death always had to occur in order for there to be eternal life... it
ROMANS 6:1-14 just ended up being Christ for us.

REFLECTION QUESTION
DAY TWELVE
Does the Christian faith ever seem like a bunch of rules to you?
WHAT IS TRUE Does it seem like you have less freedom now that you love God?
FREEDOM? The difference between being slaves to sin and slaves to Christ is
ROMANS 6:15-23 found in the freedom to finally be able to do what we know we
want to do (what is good) when before we could only do what was
wrong even though we didn’t want to do that!

DAY THIRTEEN REFLECTION QUESTION

We no longer sit under the law in the sense that we do not have to
RELEASED FROM
work at being perfect or “good enough.” How often do you talk to
THE LAW
the Holy Spirit, asking Him to help you live out your freedom now
ROMANS 7:1-6
that you have a Helper to sanctify you daily?

the book of ROMANS

 MEMORY
VERSE
But no one earns God’s righteousness. It
can only be transferred when we no
longer rely on our own works, but
believe in the one who powerfully
declares the ungodly to be righteous in
his eyes. It is faith that transfers God’s
righteousness into your account!

Romans 4:5

Romans 5&6: The
Unbelievably
Good News That
We Believe
Elyse Fitzpatrick
God knows all our ungodliness and yet forgives
and justifies us.
Standing in righteousness before God is ours if
we believe God is good enough to give it to us.
But that’s the hardest thing in the world to
believe. Who would think that by simply believing
that God tells the truth we are counted as
righteous? Who would believe a just God
“justifies the ungodly” without becoming unjust
Himself? But it’s true!
Here’s good news: If we believe He’s forgiven us
and given us right standing before Him simply
because He said He would—not because of any
of our good works but only by faith—we are
blessed.
In what way?
All our lawless deeds are forgiven. The Lord will
never count our sin against us. What would our
lives be like today if we really believed we’re
completely forgiven? If we were completely free
of guilt? If these old thought patterns were
shattered forever: I’m not making it. I always
mess things up. I have to try harder? Knowing
that God knows all our ungodliness and yet
forgives and justifies us should transform
everything about us.
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Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are
forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed
is the man against whom the Lord will not
count his sin.” (4:7–8)
But how could God forgive us without making
us pay our “fair share”? Romans 4:24–25 gives
us the answer: “It will be counted to us who
believe in Him who raised from the dead Jesus
our Lord, who was delivered up for our
trespasses and raised for our justification.”
Jesus Christ was “delivered up.” He died for
our trespasses. On the cross He bore all God’s
just wrath and then He died as a sinner in our
place: deserted, in weakness and shame,
bearing the full weight of all the punishment
we deserve. The heavens were silent and
darkened that day, but another day was
coming when He would be “raised for our
justification.”
That means when God raised Jesus from the
dead, He was vindicating Him. As Alex Motyer
says, “The resurrection is God’s ‘Amen!’ in
answer to Christ’s ‘It is finished!’” The
resurrection means that all the blessings are
ours now! We are forgiven; we are justified
and all by faith alone. How do we know? We
know because Jesus is alive. There simply is no
better news anywhere.
In Romans 5 and 6, Paul continues to proclaim
the good news. He begins chapter 5 by
assuring us that God is no longer angry with
us. Even when we suffer, it’s not because He’s
angry, but because He’s working hope into our
hearts through the Holy Spirit. We have
salvation, justification, and reconciliation
through faith in Jesus.
So does grace equal freedom to sin?
 reads

In chapter 6, Paul answers the argument that we

always hear (especially in our own hearts) when
we talk about the good news. Here’s the
argument: If God loves to pour out grace on
sinners, and He gets glory by doing so, then
maybe we should sin more so He can pour out
more grace, and thereby get more glory for
Himself. Paul is flummoxed by his own rhetorical
question.

What? Haven’t you been listening? Did you miss

the part about your union with Christ in His death
and resurrection? You are forgiven because the
old you that deserved death has died and a new
you has come into being, a new you that has the
record of all of Jesus’ obedience. How could you
go on living as if all this good news weren’t true?
Don’t you understand what your baptism means?

I’m sure if you got news that a mysterious

benefactor left you $10,000,000, your life would
change. But this is better than a generous
inheritance! This is news of a whole new you: a
you without guilt, without a sentence of death
hanging over you, without a celestial frown
lurking behind every dark cloud. A you with a
completely clean slate; a holy, beloved,
cherished you.

It’s better than a do-over or a resolution to try

harder. And it’s the news we need to remember
even though we may already be a Christian.
We’ve been given a new life and have been
guaranteed that we can’t mess this life up. Why?
Because God loves and justifies sinners. Jesus
has already done it all. In light of that good
news, rejoice and live in grateful response. What
do we need to do? Believe that this good news is
about us!
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DAY FOURTEEN REFLECTION QUESTION
THE PURPOSE OF THE Time to be honest with ourselves: how often do you know what you
LAW should do, and yet you find yourself unable to do it? What Christ
ROMANS 7:7-25 did was give us the ability to finally be able to not only know what
is right, but actually be able to do it!

DAY FIFTEEN REFLECTION QUESTION

LIVING BY THE POWER The Spirit helps us in our weakness, according to Romans. While we
OF THE HOLY SPIRIT often speak to God or Jesus in our prayers, we are doing the Helper
ROMANS 8:1-17 a disservice – the Spirit, after all, is who makes us look more and
more like Christ every day. How often do you talk to the Spirit? How
often do you call on Him to help you when you don’t know what to
do or pray or where to turn?

DAY SIXTEEN REFLECTION QUESTION

A GLORIOUS DESTINY Romans repeatedly tells us that we have been chosen or
ROMANS 8:18-27 “predestined,” but it’s also important to note that Romans says we
are not chosen at random or because we are more special than
others; no, Romans tells us that we are chosen for the sake of
bringing those around us to know Jesus, too. Do you live in that
purpose you were chosen for? Does your life exemplify the realness
and glory of Christ?

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DAY SEVENTEEN REFLECTION QUESTION
THE TRIUMPH OF Are you operating in a space that works for freedom, or are you
GOD’S LOVE living a life where you thrive from freedom?
ROMANS 8:28-39

DAY EIGHTEEN REFLECTION QUESTION

GOD’S FREEDOM Romans 9 can be a difficult chapter for many when we consider
OF CHOICE that even our suffering or destruction in the world is chosen and
ROMANS 9:1-33 allowed by God. Paul tells us, however, that we have no right as
the clay to look at the Potter and ask why He has formed us as He
has – after all, everything He shapes He does so for the sake of His
glory and our goodness (even when it comes to the vessels of
destruction He has chosen to make). Do you see God’s love in His
freedom to choose? Have you ever expected one thing from Him
and stumbled over the reality of what He was actually working
together in your life?

DAY NINETEEN REFLECTION QUESTION

GOOD NEWS FOR How often do you confess that Christ is your savior? The Word here
ALL PEOPLE says that it is with our hearts that we first believe, but then the seal
ROMANS 10:1-21 of our salvation is our mouth. Once you have done that, you are
saved! Now, how often do you continue to proclaim Jesus? Do the
people around you know that you are saved?

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DAY TWENTY REFLECTION QUESTION
GOD WILL NOT FORGET Have you ever felt forgotten by God? The beauty of this
HIS PROMISES TO ISRAEL passage is that God has enough love and grace to
ROMANS 11:1-10 encompass all, without forgetting about a single person
He has called.

the book of ROMANS

 MEMORY
VERSE

So we are convinced that every

detail of our lives is continually
woven together for good, for we
are his lovers who have been
called to fulfill his designed
purpose.

Romans 8:28
 reads

Are You a
Are you a person led by the Spirit? The verse
above tells us that those who are led by the
Spirit are sons of God. "But because My
Romans 8:14 servant Caleb has a different spirit and
follows Me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into
Christian? the land he went to, and his descendants will
inherit it" (Num. 14:24). Caleb was a Romans
Os Hillman 8:14 man! The Spirit led him. He was not led by
fear.

Many of us have failed to enter into our own

Many of us have failed to enter into our own
Promised Land, because we have failed to be
Promised Land because we have failed to be
led by the Spirit rather than by fear.
led by the Spirit rather than by fear. Fear
prevents us from entering into what God has
For if you live according to the sinful
promised for each of us. God has reserved an
nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you
inheritance for us that is exceedingly good.
put to death the misdeeds of the body, you
God described the Promised Land as a land of
will live, because those who are led by the
milk and honey. Our own Promised Land is the
Spirit of God are sons of God (Romans 8:13-
same. But you must be led by the Spirit to
14).
enter in. You cannot be led by fear, reason
and analysis, or even skill. The Spirit must lead
Joshua and Caleb are described in Scripture
you.
as men who had a different spirit. They were
two of the 12 spies sent into the Promised Land
Commit yourself to being a Romans 8:14 man
to determine if it could be taken, as God had
or woman. Then you will enter into the land
promised it to them. The other ten gave a bad
God has promised for you.
report that instilled fear in the people, which
ultimately caused a rebellion. This resulted in
an entire generation dying in the desert.
Joshua and Caleb were the only two who were
led by the Spirit of God versus the spirit of
fear. They were the only ones to enter the
Promised Land from their generation.

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DAY TWENTY-ONE REFLECTION QUESTION
PRUNING AND Is Jesus your source of energy? Romans refers to Him as the vine
GRAFTING BRANCHES (as He is referred to frequently in the New Testament) -- meaning
ROMANS 11:11-24 that He is our source of life. Is it Him you turn to when you need
fuel? Or do you depend on yourself?

DAY TWENTY-TWO REFLECTION QUESTION

A COMPLETE ISRAEL This passage says that “the gifts and calling of God are
ROMANS 11:25-36 irrevocable.” Can you identify your own gifts and calling? Make
a list!

DAY TWENTY-THREE REFLECTION QUESTION

YOUR PROPER ROLE IN Do you know what your role is in the body of Christ? While it’s
THE BODY OF CHRIST easy to look at what others are getting to do in the body of
ROMANS 12:1-8 Christ, we have each been given a job to do in a way that only
we can do it.

DAY TWENTY-FOUR REFLECTION QUESTION

When this scripture says to “let love be genuine,” the word “love”
TRANSFORMED
here refers specifically to a God-like agape love. So here is our
RELATIONSHIPS
challenge: how do you love? In what ways do you show genuine
ROMANS 12:9-21
love to the people around you?

the book of ROMANS

DAY TWENTY-FIVE REFLECTION QUESTION
When the authorities in your life (personally and over the lives of
OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH
all) frustrate you, do you ever consider that they are only in the
CIVIL AUTHORITIES
position they are in because God chose to put them there? Does
ROMANS 13:1-7
this change the way you think about them, respond to them, and
even pray about them?

DAY TWENTY-SIX REFLECTION QUESTION

FULFILLING THE LAW Do you love other people well? Romans says that we will be
THROUGH LOVE known by our love, and that instead of trying so hard to keep all
ROMANS 13:8-14 of the commands of God, we can keep them by just simply loving
those around us.

REFLECTION QUESTION
DAY TWENTY-SEVEN
Would you consider yourself to be a judgmental person? Are you
UNITY AMID
too busy looking at how other Christians handle themselves to
DIVERSITY
even look at your own life and what you are doing? God makes
ROMANS 14:1-11
one thing clear in this passage of Romans: Everyone who is His
servant answers to Him and Him alone.

the book of ROMANS

MEMORY
VERSE

Never let evil defeat you, but

defeat evil with good.

Romans 12:21

Peace Out and
Good
Riddance
Emily Manke
I believe we all genuinely want to see the
people we encounter succeed and feel
understood, but we go about our relationships
with no guidance or intentionality to see that
through. This can ultimately lead us to a
defeated, hopeless, and mediocre attitude
towards the relationships that we care about
most.
I hate to admit how often I have been tempted
to say, “Peace out and good riddance,” when
challenges arise in relationships. I know, I know,
not very “Christian” of me but from strangers to
acquaintances, friendships to family
relationships; Relationships can be so hard.
Can we be real for a few minutes? I am pretty
sure if I posed the question, “how many of you
have had, or are currently having, a hard time
with a relationship?” Every single one of you
would probably shoot up one or maybe both
hands. Isn’t it so hard to choose to do the hard
work in relationships to make them last? If I
can be even more vulnerable with you for a
minute, I confess I have several names and
situations circled on my mirror right now that
could use a whole lot of Jesus and guidance as
I feel at a complete loss with how to navigate
them.
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Every day, sometimes every minute, I go from
speaking out of wanting to control the
situation and trying to figure out how to make
peace my way to handing the relationship and
situation back to the hands of the one who set
the standard for what relationships should look
like. It’s human nature and just “easier” to let
emotions run rampant when it comes to
relationships. The downfall is that we end up
reacting to those rather than consulting God
and His word on how to get what our souls
really yearn for in our relationships which is
healthy, genuine, reciprocated, safe,
respectful, and honoring relationships. I
believe we all genuinely want to see the
people we encounter succeed and feel
understood, but we go about our relationships
with no guidance or intentionality to see that
through. This can ultimately lead us to a
defeated, hopeless, and mediocre attitude
towards the relationships that we care about
most.
If that is where you find yourself today, I am
right in that tug-of-war of emotions with you.
As I wake up each morning, I do my best to
pray over each of those relationships and ask
God how to navigate each one. I have found
that the Apostle Paul gives us a blueprint of
how relationships are transformed in Romans
12. Here are ten ways to transform a
relationship the way God intended:
1. Always be sincere and put action on your
love.
Let the inner movement of your heart always
be to love one another, and never play the role
of an actor wearing a mask. - Romans 12:9

2. Outdo the other person in respect and
honor.
Try to outdo yourselves in respect and honor of
one another. - Romans 12:10
3. Keep a close relationship with the Lord.
Be enthusiastic to serve the Lord, keeping your
passion toward him boiling hot! Radiate with
the glow of the Holy Spirit and let him fill you
with excitement as you serve him. - Romans
12:11
4. Don’t give up on people when things get
hard.
Let this hope burst forth within you, releasing a
continual joy. Don’t give up in a time of
trouble, but commune with God at all times. -
Romans 12:12
5. Take an interest in their interests.
Take a constant interest in the needs of God’s
beloved people and respond by helping them.
And eagerly welcome people as guests into
your home. - Romans 12:13
6. Watch your words. Speak blessings over
them.
Speak blessing, not cursing, over those who
reject and persecute you. - Romans 12:14
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7. Take notice of what is happening in their
lives. Celebrate their wins with them and
grieve with them through losses. Show them
compassion.
Celebrate with those who celebrate, and
weep with those who grieve. - Romans 12:15
8. Value them for their worth in God’s eyes,
not just the value they bring from their actions.
Live happily together in a spirit of harmony,
and be as mindful of another’s worth as you
are your own. Don’t live with a lofty mind-set,
thinking you are too important to serve others,
but be willing to do menial tasks and identify
with those who are humble minded. Don’t be
smug or even think for a moment that you
know it all. - Romans 12:16
9. Think of others before yourself daily. Live at
peace with everyone.
Never hold a grudge or try to get even, but
plan your life around the noblest way to
benefit others. Do your best to live as
everybody’s friend. – Romans 12:17-18
10. Be kind and generous.
Beloved, don’t be obsessed with taking
revenge, but leave that to God’s righteous
justice. For the Scriptures say: “Vengeance is
mine, and I will repay,” says the Lord. And: If
your enemy is hungry, buy him lunch! Win him
over with kindness. For your surprising
generosity will awaken his conscience, and
God will reward you with favor.
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Never let evil defeat you, but defeat evil with

good. – Romans 12:19-21

As we go about our week, I would like to

challenge you to join me in starting each day
with a simple but intentional prayer over every
relationship or situation you may be facing.
Something like this:
God, thank you for (insert name). Bless them. I
realize that you are God in (insert situation)
and there is no one better to handle it. I leave
them/it in your hands today. Help me love
them. Amen.

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DAY TWENTY-EIGHT REFLECTION QUESTION
WALKING IN LOVE Would you be willing to give up something you loved if it
ROMANS 14:12-23 hindered the souls of the people around you? Walking in love
looks like making sure the people around you keep their soul
intact, and that nothing you do is a stumbling block to them.

DAY TWENTY-NINE REFLECTION QUESTION

LOVE IS THE KEY Repeatedly throughout Paul’s letters to the churches, Paul
TO UNITY identifies that our job as believers is to build one another up
ROMANS 15:1-13 and to not let anything we say or do tear each other (or the
church) down. What does “building up” look like to you? Do you
know anyone who is good at building people up? Take some
time today to build up someone in your life!

DAY THIRTY REFLECTION QUESTION

PAUL’S REASON In these closing two chapters, Paul refers to God as, 1) the God
FOR WRITING of encouragement, 2) the God of endurance, 3) the God of
ROMANS 15:14-33 hope, and 4) the God of peace. Have you tapped into these
different attributes of God? If you had to describe what God
has been the God of in your life, what would you say?

DAY THIRTY-ONE REFLECTION QUESTION

PAUL’S FINAL Paul closes this letter by reminding everyone that God is “the
INSTRUCTIONS God of peace” but that He will also be the One who, “crushes
ROMANS 16:1-27 Satan.” God is the one who is our peace and our strength. Can
you think of a time in your life when He has been both?

the book of ROMANS

 MEMORY
VERSE
Now, those who are mature in their
faith can easily be recognized, for
they don’t live to please themselves
but have learned to patiently
embrace others in their immaturity.
Our goal must be to empower
others to do what is right and good
for them, and to bring them into
spiritual maturity.

Romans 15:1-2
FINAL
PRAYER
God,
Thank you for bringing me from death to life. Thank you
for making a way when a way to You was altogether
impossible.

As I go out into my little world, I pray that the reminders

of Your heart for me from Romans stay with me
wherever I go and that I don’t rush past the mundane
minuscule things of my day-to-day without realizing
that I have been chosen for this path I am on.

Thank you for choosing me, for inlaying purpose in me

and my life before I was even a thought in my mother’s
mind. I pray that you continue to equip me to steward
that calling well through my words and actions and that
You give me Your eyes, Your hands, and Your heart
while I stand as a witness to your goodness on this
earth.

Do through me what only You can do!

It’s in your Holy, Unrivaled name I pray,

Amen.