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Bible Study: Romans 1 – CPUFreak91

CPUFreak91

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We'll be studying Romans 1 tonight.

Is there anything that strikes you as interesting in the chapter?
Is there anything in the chapter that troubles you in some way?
What do you think is the "theme" of the chapter?

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All Your Base Are Belong To Us!!! chown -r us ./base
"After three days without programming, life becomes meaningless.'' -- Tao of Programming Book 2

CPUFreak91

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Is there anything that strikes you as interesting in the chapter?
Yes. Paul said in verse 8:
First of all, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because the news about your faith is being reported throughout the world.

I didn't know that people knew about their faith even far away from Rome.

Is there anything in the chapter that troubles you in some way?
Yes. That there was so much perversion... even back then.

What do you think is the "theme" of the chapter?
A history of sinful humanity.

EDIT: I've been thinking, Why not continue this Bible study (and/or discusion) until next week?

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All Your Base Are Belong To Us!!! chown -r us ./base
"After three days without programming, life becomes meaningless.'' -- Tao of Programming Book 2

[This message has been edited by CPUFreak91 (edited August 26, 2006).]

goop2

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Incase someone dosent have this info its on the first page of every book in my Bible

Purpose: To introduce Paul to the Romans and to give a sample of his message before he arives in Rome

Author: Paul

To whom written: The Christians of Rome and believers everywhere

Date written: About A.D. 57, from Corinth, as Paul was preparing for his visit to Jerusalem

Setting: Apparently Paul had finished his work in the east, and he planned to visit Rome on his way to Spain after first bringing a collection to Jerusalem for the poor Christians there. The Roman church was mostly Jewish but also contained many Gentiles

Key People: Paul, Phoebe

Key Place: Rome

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goop2

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yeah there was alot of perversion.. I thought it dated back alot farther though..

It seemed like an intro to me.

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[This message has been edited by Goop2 (edited August 26, 2006).]

CPUFreak91

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quote:
Originally posted by Goop2:
yeah there was alot of perversion.. I thought it dated back alot farther though..


Now that I think about it, I do remember perversion dating far back but I don't ever remember a nice sized list of it before.


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All Your Base Are Belong To Us!!! chown -r us ./base
"After three days without programming, life becomes meaningless.'' -- Tao of Programming Book 2

[This message has been edited by CPUFreak91 (edited August 26, 2006).]

Mack

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Is there anything that strikes you as interesting in the chapter?
The widespread knowledge of the Faith of the Roman Christians. People born with the spiritual knowledge of Gods existance.

quote:
Romans 1: v27: And the men, instead of having normal sexual relationships with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men and, as a result, suffered within themselves the penalty they so richly deserved.

Biblical refrence to physical and spiritual STDs?

Is there anything in the chapter that troubles you in some way?
People are born with the knowledge that God exists and they reject it.

What do you think is the "theme" of the chapter?
After the greeting and quick report it focused on the sin people entrapped themselves in.

NetCog

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- I totally got EST and CST turned around, sorry I'm a bit late -

Is there anything that strikes you as interesting in the chapter?

quote:
2the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3regarding his Son, who as to his human nature was a descendant of David, 4and who through the Spirit[a] of holiness was declared with power to be the Son of God

A promise of Christ present in the Old Testament and a quick summation of Jesus' humanity and Godhood.

quote:
18The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.

Maybe it's my version (NIV atm) but I missed the part about being "born with it"? In any case, passages referencing our ability to know God's existance and power even without a text Bible in our hands is an encouragement to trust God.
Firstly, no one is without excuse, and because of that and God's perfect Justice, Grace, and Mercy - he will not let anyone die who did not have a chance to believe.
Secondly, because of that Grace and Mercy, I can trust that what I don't understand about a passage or if someone brings up a questionable point to the validity of the Bible, God is faithful to bring truth to mind. The Bible is text containing, or perhaps, spelling out the Word of God. But the Word of God is alive and powerful, not so much "more" than the Bible as perhaps not bound by what man might distort from the Bible.

quote:
28Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done.
...
32Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

First, the listing of sin is quite comprehensive, if someone wants to ask "what is sin?", you can point to this passage (among a handful), "that is sin."
Secondly, I do not know what is exactly referenced by "retain the knowledge of God". I would assume it to be a mix of daily or regular time spent with God and in the Word along with keeping it in the forefront of one's mind as we go throughout a day.
Thirdly, this hits somewhat close to home for me. There are times when I know exactly what is wrong and what is right and still choose the wrong one. I guess there is also a question of what constitues "approval" for someone else's actions? Does my action show an approval of theirs or is it sin of my doing setting a divide in my relationship with God (subject to the realm of repentance); having no involvement with others save where others are involved and/or it affects my outlook on life (my emotions, distractions, etc) and how those interplay in my involvement with other people?


Is there anything in the chapter that troubles you in some way?

quote:
5Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. 6And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

My pastor gave a talk as on Corinthians - rather I heard one of his talks in his series on Corinthians. I believe that Christ came to die for the sins of the whole world. I also believe every person has the opportunity to be saved. I also believe that God knows who will and who won't and it has no bearing as far as our mortal choices as to whether we do or do not believe - God's knowledge doesn't void our choice. I reference this verse here as another verse which might be used in the discussion of "call" and "choice". Should the conversation turn on this topic in a manner of "God chooses for us", I would have to bow out until I reviewed what my pastor had said on the subject.


What do you think is the "theme" of the chapter?

Obviously the first is the salutation.
The 2nd half looks to be that of spelling out what is sin. Why man is considered sinful and why God would choose to punish or condemn mankind for that sin. Particularly highlighting the arrogence of man, which finds a relative in the arrogence of Lucifer and the third. Without yet having read (recently) the rest of Romans I couldn't speak on "why" Paul chooses to start out his letter with a "bang" (so to speak). Though, in reading ahead a bit, I think we will find a case being made for why Christ came and was necessary. This is merely the opening remarks.

p.s. I figure the study would just continue as people have time. Depending on how it goes then next Friday introduce Chapter 2.

p.p.s. I don't know which would be better but if there are "breakout" discussions on different principles it might be best to actually move them to a different thread? Or leave them here...I don't really know, I just have the question. Or maybe leave all subsequent discussions here and just keep creating a new thread for each new "study" - next week(?) new thread for Bible Study: Romans 2 ??

[This message has been edited by NetCog (edited August 27, 2006).]

CPUFreak91

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Whew. Took me a while to phase this the way I wanted.

quote:
Originally posted by NetCog:
What do you think is the "theme" of the chapter?

Obviously the first is the salutation.
The 2nd half looks to be that of spelling out what is sin. Why man is considered sinful and why God would choose to punish or condemn mankind for that sin. Particularly highlighting the arrogence of man, which finds a relative in the arrogence of Lucifer and the third. Without yet having read (recently) the rest of Romans I couldn't speak on "why" Paul chooses to start out his letter with a "bang" (so to speak). Though, in reading ahead a bit, I think we will find a case being made for why Christ came and was necessary. This is merely the opening remarks.


I didn't think of the second half spelling out what sin is. But it makes sense.

quote:

p.s. I figure the study would just continue as people have time. Depending on how it goes then next Friday introduce Chapter 2.


Hopefully I can work out a better way for studying. I also hope to cover two chapters especially since we can talk about it all week.

quote:

p.p.s. I don't know which would be better but if there are "breakout" discussions on different principles it might be best to actually move them to a different thread? Or leave them here...I don't really know, I just have the question. Or maybe leave all subsequent discussions here and just keep creating a new thread for each new "study" - next week(?) new thread for Bible Study: Romans 2 ??


I think one thread is fine, even if there a subsequent discussions. And yes I believe a new thread every week should suit nicely.

Any ideas on how to improve this guys? Suggestions and criticisms gladly taken.

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All Your Base Are Belong To Us!!! chown -r us ./base
"After three days without programming, life becomes meaningless.'' -- Tao of Programming Book 2