Romans Bible Study

This Friday night marks the beginning of an 8-week Bible study through the book of Romans, and my heart is both full and expectant. For years, Romans has been a book that has deeply shaped my faith. It’s a letter that doesn’t just explain the gospel—it proclaims it with power, clarity, and urgency. Every time I return to its pages, I feel both the weight of my own need for grace and the incredible freedom that comes from knowing Jesus.

Paul writes at the very start:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16, ESV)

That verse has been echoing in my heart as I’ve prepared for this study. It reminds me that the gospel is not merely a set of beliefs or a moral code—it is the power of God Himself to save, redeem, and transform lives. That truth isn’t abstract for me. It’s real, personal, and life-changing.

When people talk about the “great books” of the Bible, Romans is always near the top of the list—and for good reason. It’s rich, layered, and unapologetically centered on the cross and resurrection of Christ. It tells us who we are apart from God (Romans 3:23), who we can be in Christ (Romans 5:8), and the new life we’re called to live by the Spirit (Romans 8).

For me, studying Romans is like going back to the foundation of our faith. We live in a culture that constantly tells us to define ourselves by success, performance, or even failures. Romans re-centers us. It tells us that we are not defined by what we’ve done, but by what Christ has done for us. And that’s why I’m teaching it. Because I believe that when we truly grasp the message of Romans, our lives cannot stay the same.

Starting this Friday, we’ll gather each week for eight sessions to walk through Romans together. We’ll meet in person and also stream the sessions online for those who can’t be with us physically. My hope is that no matter where you’re joining from, you’ll feel like you’re part of a community digging deep into God’s Word.

Each week, we’ll take a section of Romans and explore it carefully. We’ll ask: What is Paul saying? What does this mean for the Church today? How should this shape my life as a disciple of Jesus? This won’t just be about gaining head knowledge. My prayer is that it will be a time of formation—a time where we don’t just study Romans but allow Romans to study us.

I’ll be honest: teaching through Romans feels humbling. There’s so much here that theologians have spent centuries wrestling with. But that’s the beauty of God’s Word—it’s living and active (Hebrews 4:12). It speaks not only to scholars and theologians but to anyone who is hungry for truth.

As I picture people walking into the room this Friday night, I think of the different stories and journeys that will be represented. Some will be new believers just beginning their walk with Christ. Some will be seasoned saints who have studied Romans many times before. Some may even be searching for hope, unsure of what they believe. And yet, Romans has something for every single one of us. The same Spirit who inspired Paul to write these words is the same Spirit who will illuminate them in our hearts today.

If you’re nearby, I’d love to invite you to join us in person. There’s something powerful about gathering face-to-face, opening the Scriptures together, and sharing in prayer and discussion. But if distance makes that impossible, you don’t have to miss out—our sessions will also be available online, and I’d be thrilled for you to connect with us virtually.

Whether in person or online, I believe God is going to use this study to do something significant. Maybe you’re carrying guilt or shame from your past—Romans has a word for you. Maybe you feel like you’re stuck, unable to change—Romans has a word for you. Maybe you’re longing for hope in a chaotic world—Romans has a word for you. And that word is this: There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (Romans 8:1)

As we begin this journey, I want to encourage you with this truth: the gospel is not just the starting line of the Christian life—it’s the whole race. Romans will remind us of that again and again. So whether you’ll be sitting in the room with us this Friday night or tuning in online from home, I invite you to open your Bible, open your heart, and join us for 8 weeks of encountering the God who saves, transforms, and sustains.

Here’s to a season of growth, grace, and gospel power.