Lesson 9: Rejection (ROMANS 10:1–21)
Lesson 9
Rejection
(ROMANS 10:1–21)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Romans 10:1–21. This lesson references chapter 9 in Be Right. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
You would think that Israel as a nation would have been eagerly expecting the arrival of their Messiah and been prepared to receive Him. For centuries they had known the Old Testament prophecies and had practiced the law, which was “a schoolmaster” to lead them to Christ (Gal. 3:24). God had sought to prepare the nation, but when Jesus Christ came, they rejected Him.
—Be Right, page 123
1. Why do you think the Israelites rejected Jesus when they were so eager for their Messiah? How is the law a “schoolmaster” or “teacher” to lead the Jews to Christ?
More to Consider: The Jews rejected Jesus in part because many thought they didn’t really need a savior (at least not spiritually). They did, however, see the need for political salvation from Rome. How do these truths play into the Israelites’ response to Jesus?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Romans 10:1–21 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here. What strikes you about this verse?
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
Ever since Israel returned to their land from Babylonian captivity, the nation had been cured of idolatry. In the temple and the local synagogues, only the true God was worshipped and served, and only the true law was taught. So zealous were the Jews that they even “improved upon God’s law” and added their own traditions, making them equal to the law. Paul himself had been zealous for the law and the traditions (Acts 26:1–11; Gal. 1:13–14).
But their zeal was not based on knowledge; it was heat without light.
—Be Right, page 124
3. In what ways was the Israelites’ zeal “heat without light”? What was the missing “light”? What are some examples of this same sort of thinking even in the church today? What prompts this sort of approach to God?
From the Commentary
There is an ignorance that comes from lack of opportunity, but Israel had had many opportunities to be saved. In their case, it was an ignorance that stemmed from willful, stubborn resistance to the truth. They would not submit to God. They were proud of their own good works and religious self-righteousness and would not admit their sins and trust the Savior.
—Be Right, page 124
4. What are some of the opportunities the Israelites had to be saved? Why didn’t they take advantage of those opportunities? What are some similar examples of missed opportunities in today’s world? How does pride impact the ability of men and women to choose to follow Jesus today?
From Today’s World
A few years ago, when the national media reported about a woman who spilled coffee on herself at a fast-food restaurant and then sued that restaurant because the coffee was too hot, the floodgates for questionable or spurious lawsuits was opened wide. Now there are lawsuits filed for just about anything you could imagine, and the litigious people filing these suits hold tight to the belief that they’re well within the law to do so.
5. Why would a lawyer take on a questionable or spurious lawsuit? How is this an example of taking advantage of the law for personal gain? In what ways did the Israelites “use” the law for their own benefit? What is the difference between following the “letter of the law” versus following the “spirit of the law”? If the Israelites followed the spirit of the law, how might this have impacted their acceptance or rejection of Jesus as the Messiah?
From the Commentary
Christ is “the end of the law” in the sense that through His death and resurrection, He has terminated the ministry of the law for those who believe. The law is ended as far as Christians are concerned. The righteousness of the law is being fulfilled in the life of the believer through the power of the Spirit (Rom. 8:4), but the reign of the law has ended (see Eph. 2:15; Col. 2:14).
—Be Right, page 125
6. How is the righteousness of the law fulfilled in believers? What does that look like? If the reign of the law has ended, how then are Christians supposed to relate to the law?
More to Consider: Read Ephesians 2:15 and Colossians 2:14. What do these verses say about the “reign of the law”?
From the Commentary
[Paul] told us that God’s way of salvation was not difficult and complicated. We do not have to go to heaven to find Christ, or into the world of the dead. He is near to us. In other words, the gospel of Christ—the Word of faith—is available and accessible. The sinner need not perform difficult works in order to be saved. All he has to do is trust Christ.
—Be Right, pages 126
7. In the simplest of terms, what is the “gospel of Christ”? How does someone go about trusting Christ? Why is this difficult for many people?
From the Commentary
Note that trusting Christ is not only a matter of believing, but also obeying. Not to believe in Christ is to disobey God. God “commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). Romans 6:17 also equates “believing” and “obeying.” True faith must touch the will and result in a changed life.
—Be Right, page 128
8. Respond to the following: “True faith must touch the will and result in a changed life.” According to Paul, what does this “true faith” look like? What are evidences of the changed life?
More to Consider: The quotation in Romans 10:15 is found in Isaiah 52:7 and Nahum 1:15. Read these references in context. How do they compare to the Romans reference? What does the phrase “beautiful feet” refer to in each of these passages?
From the Commentary
When Israel rejected her Messiah, God sent the gospel to the Gentiles that they might be saved. This was predicted by Moses in Deuteronomy 32:21. Paul had mentioned this truth before in Romans 9:22–26. One reason why God sent the gospel to the Gentiles was that they might provoke the Jews to jealousy (Rom. 10:19; 11:11). It was an act of grace both to the Jews and to the Gentiles.
—Be Right, page 130
9. How do you feel about God’s sending of the gospel to the Gentiles as a means of provoking the Jews to jealousy? How is this an act of grace? What does this tell you about the “mysterious ways” God often works in order to enact His plan for the world?
From the Commentary
God wants to use us to share the gospel with both Jews and Gentiles. God can use our feet and our arms just as He used Paul’s. Jesus Christ wept over Jerusalem and longed to gather His people in His arms. Instead, those arms were stretched out on a cross where He willingly died for Jews and Gentiles alike. God is long-suffering and patient, “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
—Be Right, page 131
10. What are some ways God can use our feet and arms to share the gospel with Jews and Gentiles?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Romans 10:1–21. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. Are you zealous about your faith? How do you show this in your daily life? Does your zeal for traditions or activities ever outshine your zeal for God Himself? Why do you think this is, and what can you do about it?
12. If you’ve accepted Christ, how did that happen? Was it difficult or simple? In what ways do you make your approach to faith more difficult than it needs to be?
13. How are you sharing your faith today with others? What are some things you can do differently to make yourself more available to those who don’t yet know Jesus as their Savior?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you need to let go of the law and embrace God’s grace? Do you need to become more confident in sharing the gospel of Christ with others? Be specific. Go back through Romans 10:1–21 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Make a point this week to talk to at least one non-Christian friend about your faith. This should be someone you’ve already known as a friend, someone you’ve earned the right to talk to about spiritual things. Look for natural windows of opportunity in your conversations that will allow you to share your story without sounding as if you’re forcing your beliefs on the person.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the “Going Forward” section in this lesson. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.
• Before you start the next lesson, read Romans 11:1–36. For more in-depth lesson preparation, read chapter 10, “God Is Not Through with Israel!” in Be Right.