Romans 9:6-13 If, as we saw in our last lesson in Romans 9:1-5, Israel seems to have lost out on the blessings that were once hers, can we conclude then that God's word has failed? This is the issue Paul addresses in this week's lesson. What is Paul specifically referring to when he speaks of God’s word? What is the idea of failing that Paul introduces? What is God's purpose for Israel? In Romans 9-11 Paul speaks of two different Israels. In verses 1-5, of what Israel does he speak? The other Israel he writes about is what we refer to as the true spiritual Israel. In some places Paul speaks of the true Israel or descendants of Abraham as being the whole church, Jews and Gentiles. This is not the case here. How do we know this? What is he referring to? How does Paul prove his point that not all the descendants of Israel are the true spiritual Israel? What are the two promises Paul cites which limit true Israel to less than all the descendants of Abraham and Isaac? Of what does God speak when He gives his promise to Rebekah concerning what she is experiencing in her womb? How do we know that this passage is not addressing God's dealing with individuals, but with nations or groups of people? What does God mean when He says "Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated?" What is the main point that Paul seeks to establish in Romans 9-11, and how will we know if he succeeds? (62 min)

Keywords Israel, Promise, Predestined, Calling, Jacob, Esau, Ishamael, Isaac

Romans 9:1-5 In this lesson we begin our study of Romans 9-11. People view these chapters from a variety of perspectives, and some simply avoid studying them because of the difficulties they present. What are some of the questions we are confronted with in these chapters? Are these three chapters an appendix to Paul's main thrust in Romans, or do they contain matters that directly relate to that emphasis? Is Paul concerned here chiefly with issues pertaining to individual salvation, or does he have something else in view? How can one be careful, when interpreting specific verses or points in these chapters, to ensure that he or she is finding the right interpretation? What two groups of people does Paul concern himself with in these chapters? As Paul opens his discussion in 9:1-5, why is he so insistent that he is telling the truth? Paul speaks of his "great sorrow" and his "unceasing grief." What is he so sorrowful about? To what extreme can Paul imagine going in order to alleviate his sorrow? What does scripture say about such a suggestion? How can Paul's remarks in this passage be likened to looking on the ruins of a great civilization? (69 min)

Keywords Israel, Jews, Predestined, Adoption

Romans 8:31-32 In these verses Paul begins a series of rhetorical questions designed to make us think about the consequences of the things he has just been telling us in the previous verses. The answers to these questions are implied in the questions themselves. What are the three categories which Paul addresses that we find might threaten our security in God's love? What are the things to which Paul refers that are the proof that God is for us? God is not "for" everyone. He is against some. What determines whether God is for or against someone? How does the story of the pharisee and the tax-collector in Luke 18 relate to this passage? Does Paul believe that Christians have no one who opposes or is against them? What frame of mind should we have about those who oppose us that would transform our outlook? Why does Paul believe that God will not withhold anything from those who have believed in Him? (56 min)

Keywords Predestined, Justification, Image of God, Son of God

Romans 8:29-30 In this lesson we continue considering the subject of what it means that we have been foreknown by God. What does the word "foreknown" mean? How do we know that this is speaking from a human rather than divine perspective? We then learn that those God has foreknown he has predestined. To what have those God foreknew been predestined? What is God's purpose for all His children? How does this purpose relate to God's original intent in creation? What three things has God done to ensure that His purpose for us is accomplished? Why is it that though earlier Paul has spoken of our glory as something that is yet to happen, that in this verse he speaks of it in the past tense? (57 min)

Keywords Foreknowledge, Predestined, Calling, Justification