Lesson 21
Romans 11
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Living by Faith: A Study in Romans
So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. Romans 11:5
Read Romans 11:1-10
At the end of the last chapter we studied what God says of Israel, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people,” and again Paul begins a new section with a question. “Has God rejected his people? By no means!”
1) Drawing from what you’ve learned so far, why might the Romans have thought the Jews were rejected by God?
2) How does Paul show in verse one that God has not rejected Israel?
3) In Romans 11:2-4 Paul states that God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew and uses an example from the life of Elijah to illustrate this fact. What charge does Elijah bring against Israel and how does God answer his complaint?
4) Read Romans 11:5-6. How is Paul’s time like the time of Elijah? Do you see similarities in our own time with Elijah’s and Paul’s time? Please explain.
5) Write what you learn from verses 5-6 about the remnant and grace.
6) What do you learn from 2 Corinthians 9:8; 12:9 about grace and how do you see grace at work in your life?
7) What does Paul teach about Israel's stumbling? Read Romans 11:7-10 with Romans 9:30-32.
8) Is there an area where you are tempted to take your own way rather than trust God? How does Israel’s example serve as a warning to you?
Read Romans 11:11-16
9) What does Israel’s stumbling mean for the world? What does their full inclusion mean?
10) Read Romans 11:17-24. What do you learn from the analogy of the olive tree about the church’s relationship to Israel and the attitude we are to have toward them?
11) In John 15:1-11 Jesus uses a similar illustration. What do you learn from both Jesus and Paul about God’s care for his tree and his expectations of it?
12) In Romans 11, how does Paul express his hope of Israel’s salvation? Give verses.
13) How does Paul’s teaching about Israel and his love and hope for them challenge your own attitudes or inform your prayers for them?
Read Romans 11:25-36
14) What is the mystery Paul wants his readers to understand?
15) How can Israel be both an enemy and beloved at the same time?
16a)What makes a person an enemy of God? See James 4:4 and Acts 13:10.
b) How does this relate to the tree/vine analogy?
17) What does it mean for Israel that the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable? What does it mean for you?
18) How does this passage demonstrate that God is able to work even sin into his plan?
19) Our salvation is not rooted in ourselves but in God. Paraphrase Romans 11:33-36.
20) What do these truths about God mean to you?
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Copyright © 2009, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Romans 11
Read Mark Learn Bible Studies
Living by Faith: A Study in Romans
So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. Romans 11:5
Read Romans 11:1-10
At the end of the last chapter we studied what God says of Israel, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people,” and again Paul begins a new section with a question. “Has God rejected his people? By no means!”
1) Drawing from what you’ve learned so far, why might the Romans have thought the Jews were rejected by God?
2) How does Paul show in verse one that God has not rejected Israel?
3) In Romans 11:2-4 Paul states that God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew and uses an example from the life of Elijah to illustrate this fact. What charge does Elijah bring against Israel and how does God answer his complaint?
4) Read Romans 11:5-6. How is Paul’s time like the time of Elijah? Do you see similarities in our own time with Elijah’s and Paul’s time? Please explain.
5) Write what you learn from verses 5-6 about the remnant and grace.
6) What do you learn from 2 Corinthians 9:8; 12:9 about grace and how do you see grace at work in your life?
7) What does Paul teach about Israel's stumbling? Read Romans 11:7-10 with Romans 9:30-32.
8) Is there an area where you are tempted to take your own way rather than trust God? How does Israel’s example serve as a warning to you?
Read Romans 11:11-16
9) What does Israel’s stumbling mean for the world? What does their full inclusion mean?
10) Read Romans 11:17-24. What do you learn from the analogy of the olive tree about the church’s relationship to Israel and the attitude we are to have toward them?
11) In John 15:1-11 Jesus uses a similar illustration. What do you learn from both Jesus and Paul about God’s care for his tree and his expectations of it?
12) In Romans 11, how does Paul express his hope of Israel’s salvation? Give verses.
13) How does Paul’s teaching about Israel and his love and hope for them challenge your own attitudes or inform your prayers for them?
Read Romans 11:25-36
14) What is the mystery Paul wants his readers to understand?
15) How can Israel be both an enemy and beloved at the same time?
16a)What makes a person an enemy of God? See James 4:4 and Acts 13:10.
b) How does this relate to the tree/vine analogy?
17) What does it mean for Israel that the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable? What does it mean for you?
18) How does this passage demonstrate that God is able to work even sin into his plan?
19) Our salvation is not rooted in ourselves but in God. Paraphrase Romans 11:33-36.
20) What do these truths about God mean to you?
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
Copyright © 2009, Carol Duffy. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
