9.

Declared not guilty makes our souls live right with God

Romans 4: 13-25

  • Session: 9
  • Week: 2
  • Day: 1
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Introduction

In this session, Romans 4:13-25, we focus on the lessons we learn from Abraham’s example of living by faith but not by works. We continue to emphasize that the best way to win the souls of a convict is to clear them of their mistakes without them paying for them. This is what Jesus did for all the sinners when he died our death on the cross for our sins. We are challenged to know that God cleared us from our sins without our effort but by believing in him alone

Objectives

By the end of this session, the learner will have:

  • Understood the principles of being justified by faith alone without works from two OT biblical examples
  • Appreciated that God cleared us from our sins not by our works but our faith and belief in him alone
  • Listed lessons of living by faith from both Abraham and David.

Outline

  • OT Biblical example of those who lived by faith.
  • Judged in the court of law to be sinners
  • Cleared of sins without our effort. Justification
  • Lessons of living by faith alone

Group Study Time

Romans 4: 13-25

Connecting

  • Gather with two or more people for a community discovery bible study session.
  • Start with a heartfelt prayer, inviting God to guide and bless your understanding.
  • Explore the passage by reading it at least twice, using different Bible versions if available, then retell the story together as a group.
  • Reflect and share the challenges and blessings you experienced from the previous study.

Comprehending

  • What does it mean that Abraham lived by faith, not works?
  • What do these verses say about the law? What does this verse say about God? Romans 4: 13-25.
  • Read Roman 4:13-25. List 5 lessons that believers today can learn from Abraham’s example of living by faith and David’s example of living by faith alone without works
  • What prayer do you make for yourself today after reading these verses

Committing

  • Engage with the Bible—read, study, memorize, meditate, pray, listen, and live it out.
  • List three lessons you have learnt as an agent of change that you would like to put into practice and teach others about.
  • Take time and worship Jesus with the attributes revealed about Christ.
  • Use the SPACEPETS model, to assist you in putting God’s word into practice. Look for:
    • Sin to confess
    • Promise to claim
    • Attitude to change
    • Command to keep
    • Error to change
    • Prayer to make
    • Example to copy
    • Truth to obey and
    • Something praiseworthy

Communicating

  • Identify one person you can connect with and share the valuable insights and lessons you gained from this session.
  • Reach out to a new believer—either in person or by phone—and pray with them to support them through their challenges, including any concerns about attending church.
  • Create a new group and guide others through this study to help them grow in their understanding.

Post Lesson Teaching Summary

Great job completing the study! Take a moment to listen to this summary to reinforce your group’s understanding of the text and ensure you’re all on the same page. We’re here to support your learning journey!

Declared not guilty makes our souls live right with God

Romans 4: 13-25

Romans 4:13-25

  • Context:
    • Guilt hinders faithful service (e.g., Peter’s denial, John 18:15-27, led to fishing, John 21); Romans 4:13-25 addresses the Gentile (prodigal son, Luke 15) to clear guilt via Abraham’s faith.
    • The father speaks to both sons at the table, countering the Jew’s (firstborn) self-righteousness and the Gentile’s shame.
  • Faith, Not Law (Romans 4:13-15):
    • Abraham’s promise (heir of the world) came through faith’s righteousness, not law; law brings wrath, but faith ensures grace for all offspring—Jews and Gentiles.
  • Abraham’s Faith for All (Romans 4:16-17):
    • The promise is by faith, not law, making Abraham father of all who believe (Genesis 17:5)—Jews by lineage, Gentiles by faith—uniting both sons without favoritism.
  • Abraham’s Trust (Romans 4:18-22):
    • Against hope (old age, Sarah’s barrenness), Abraham believed God’s promise of nations; unwavering faith, despite physical limits, credited as righteousness, glorifying God’s power.
  • Application to Believers (Romans 4:23-25):
    • Abraham’s example applies to all: faith in God, who raised Jesus (delivered for sins, raised for justification), clears guilt—Gentiles need not heed the Jew’s accusations.
    • Justification by faith, not works, frees both sons to serve joyfully at the father’s table.
  • Lessons:
    • Reject guilt from self, others (e.g., firstborn’s judgment), or past sins; trust Christ’s death and resurrection to stand righteous, reinstating purpose and relationship with God.