God's Perfect Plan
Reflection
Begin your study by sharing thoughts on this question.
1. When did you first hear the gospel message? What was your initial response?
Bible Reading
Read Romans 10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. 2 For
I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of God's
righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness
of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth
the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness
which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring
Christ down from above:) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which
we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God
hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and
with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall
not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich
unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then
shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not
heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is
written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
Discovery
Explore the Bible reading by discussing these questions.
2. What is wrong with trying to be saved your own way?
3. What part do our thoughts and our words have in our response to salvation?
4. What promise is given to people who believe and confess that Jesus is Lord?
5. How does God's righteousness motivate us to godly behavior?
6. What does this passage teach about the way the good news is spread, understood, and accepted?
Question 6. Romans 10:14–15 emphasizes the importance of spreading the gospel message. It's tempting
to assume that these verses were written to evangelists and pastors, but every believer is responsible to share
the good news. See 2 Kings 7:9; Matthew 9:35–38; 28:18–20 and Acts 1:8.
Inspiration
Here is an uplifting thought from the Inspirational Study Bible.
We have already seen that the Bible teaches that God was a God of love. He wanted to do something for man.
He wanted to save man. He wanted to free man from the curse of sin. How could He do it? God was a just God. He
was righteous, and holy. He had warned man from the beginning that if he obeyed the Devil and disobeyed God, he
would die physically and spiritually.…
All through the Old Testament, God gave man the promise of salvation if by faith he would believe in the coming
Redeemer. Therefore God began to teach His people that man could only be saved by substitution. Someone else would
have to pay the bill for man's redemption.…
Thanks be to God—that is exactly what happened! Looking down over the battlements of heaven He saw this planet
swinging in space—doomed, damned, crushed, and bound for hell. He saw you and me struggling beneath our load of
sin and bound in the chains and ropes of sin. He made His decision in the council halls of God. The angelic hosts
bowed in humility and awe as heaven's Prince of Princes and Lord of Lords, who could speak worlds into space, got
into His jeweled chariot, went through pearly gates, across the steep of the skies, and on a black Judean night,
while the stars sang together and the escorting angels chanted praises, stepped out of the chariot, threw off His
robes, and became man!
(From Peace with God by Billy Graham)
Response
Use these questions to share more deeply with each other.
7. What aspects of God's character are shown through his plan of salvation?
8. How are you encouraged by God's plan to save the world?
9. Why is it difficult for us to follow Jesus?
Prayer
Father, help us understand that your plan is based on love—not on our performance. Help us to be captivated
by your love. To be overwhelmed by your grace. To come home to you in that beautiful path that you've already carved
out for us.
Journaling
Take a few moments to record your personal insights from this lesson.
How can my life reflect the righteousness of God?
Additional Questions
10. What can we learn from Israel's response to God's plan of salvation?
11. How can you guard against trying to earn God's approval and acceptance?
12. Why is it important to tell others about your faith in Jesus Christ?
Question 12. Ask group members to consider these questions: If you don't tell your neighbor about God,
who will? What may happen if you don't share the gospel with your unsaved friends? How does God want you to become
more involved in spreading the gospel message?
For more Bible passages on God's plan of salvation, see John 3:16; 4:22; Acts 4:12; 28:28; 2 Corinthians 7:10;
1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 7:10.
To complete the book of Romans during this twelve-part study, read Romans 9:1–10:21.
From Life Lessons from the Inspired Word of God—Book of Romans by Max Lucado. Copyright 1996 by Word Publishing.
