Friends, I’m going to disrupt the continuity of our through the Bible study yet again. I’ve been struggling with a setup that will work to continue the study but still honor Advent and Lent. I’m planning an in depth look at the prophecies and Gospel recordings of Jesus’ birth during the Advent season beginning on Sunday November 29, 2026. You may have noticed I haven’t talked about the Crucifixion and Resurrection in any of the three Gospels we’ve covered. I plan to discuss them in depth during Lent starting on Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2027 through Easter Sunday March 28, 2027. I feel that reading and discussing these events during the time of year the church celebrates them may make them more meaningful to us. Until then I’ll be going through Paul’s Letter to the Romans, sometimes called a summary of what it means to be a Christian.
Our scripture today is Romans 1:1-2 (ESV).
Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,
Paul wrote to the church in Rome as an introduction to them. He had never been to Rome yet, but people who had heard the story of Jesus, perhaps at the Pentecost celebration in Jerusalem, had carried the faith back and begun sharing it. Paul wanted to encourage Christians in Rome and possibly use it as a base for further missionary journeys. As we know, God had another plan for Paul and when he does arrive in Rome, he is a prisoner awaiting trial before Caesar. His letter had preceded him and there are believers there who assist him as he completes his final mission. As we will see, Paul begins a careful presentation of what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ and to live as He taught us.
Heavenly Father, help us to listen to the wise voices You have inspired in Scripture, that we may learn and grow, and share our faith with all the world. Amen.
