A note about the Bible Studies for 2026
The theme for the Bible Studies this year is “Love Letters from Paul”. Throughout the year we will be looking at various letters from the Apostle Paul to Christian congregations. The words that Paul wrote, inspired by the Holy Spirit, reflect on many important themes of the Christian faith including who God is, what God has done for us in Christ, our life together as “church”, and what it means to be a Christian person in “everyday life”.
As we will be working through whole books of the Bible in a two-month period, it won’t be possible to read all of the particular book during Bible Study time. A possible way to prepare yourself is to take some time well before the study, and to read through the whole book without stopping. Just become familiar with the overall shape. And then, once read through, take a chapter a day and read through it slowly, stopping at verses that cause you to think. Don’t rush with this. Maybe keep a pad and pen nearby to jot down your own thoughts or questions. To help also, spend a moment in quiet prayer before and after reading.
May God’s blessings be with you as you reflect on God’s Word together with his people.
Love Letters from Paul
Discovering the depths of Romans 1–8
Welcome to our first reflection on “Love letters from Paul”, beginning with his letter to the Christian church at Rome. Martin Luther once said Romans is “the purest Gospel” and that we can never read it too much.
As we begin our journey through Paul’s love letters, we begin with Romans 1–8, which takes us on a journey —from our deep need for God, to the gift of Jesus, to the comfort of the Holy Spirit in our daily struggles.
Opening Prayer
(Use your own words or the prayer below.)
Heavenly Father, as we open your Word, give us humble hearts. Teach us by your Spirit. Show us Christ – our righteousness, our peace, our hope. Use this time to help our daily lives, our families, our churches, and our communities. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Introductory Questions
Have you ever travelled to Rome? If so, what was your experience like? If not, have you seen movies or documentaries that help you imagine life in ancient Rome?
What do you think life was like for the first small group of Christians living in that huge city?
Can you see any parallels with life in Roman times to life in secular Australia today?
Digging into God’s Word
Romans 1–3: Our need for God
In Romans chapters 1 to 3, the Apostle Paul reflects on our need for God. Paul says he is “not ashamed of the gospel” (1:16). He speaks honestly about the human condition: we all fall short (3:23). Many people think of themselves as “pretty good”, but Romans reminds us that being “good” is not the same as being right with God. Paul helps us see our sin so that we can see the beauty of Jesus’ grace.
Read Romans 1:1–4: What do these verses say about Jesus, and Jesus as “God”? Do you think that sometimes we may focus more on the humanity of Jesus (and Jesus as our friend) than the divinity of Jesus (Jesus is our holy God)?
Read Romans 1:7: What does Paul say about the Christians in Rome in terms of how God sees them? Do you feel loved by God? Have you ever told someone aloud that they are loved by God? Who could you tell this week?
Read Romans 1:17: This is a pivotal verse that sparked “The Reformation”. What does it mean for you to “have faith”? Have you ever said, “I don’t know how I could have got through this without faith in Jesus”?
Read Romans 1:18 and 3:23: These verses summarise the content of Romans 1:18 to 3:23. A lot of people today have trouble seeing themselves as “sinners”. If you had to explain sin without actually using the word “sin”, how would you describe it?
Luther said, “If you see yourself as a little sinner, you will see Jesus as a little Saviour”. How is our weekly confession in worship actually good news?
Romans 3:21–5:21: God’s free gift of grace
Into our helplessness comes God’s gift: we are “justified by his grace” (3:24). Not earned. Not deserved. Just given. Some have described “justification” as “just as if I never sinned”. Paul then reflects on Abraham as an example of “faith” (Ch.4). He trusted God before he did anything for God. This is real faith: not human effort but a living, bold trust in God’s grace (Luther). Because we are justified, we have “peace with God” (5:1) – not just a feeling, but a restored relationship. Even suffering cannot steal this peace (5:3–5); God uses it to grow hope.
Read Romans 4:3: Do you sometimes find it hard to “believe in God”?
Romans 4 spends a lot of time speaking about “faith” and concludes with words about Jesus who “was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification”. Why is it important (and comforting) to remember that faith is not something we “do”, but simply focusing on Jesus and what he has done?
Read Romans 5:1–5 and look for the words “hope, peace, joy, and love”. In what ways have these verses encouraged you in life?
Read Romans 5:6 and 5:20,21: How do these verses deepen your understanding of hope, peace, joy, and love? Who in your life might need to hear and understand such words?
Romans 6–7: New life and real struggle
Romans 6:1–4 reminds us we belong to Jesus, and baptism is our assurance of this. But Paul also asks: If we belong to Jesus, why do we still sin? Romans 7 shows us that being made new doesn’t mean life becomes easy. But God does not abandon us in the struggle.
Read Romans 6:3–5: We often hear these words in a funeral. Why are these words comforting for us? Do you think we sometimes focus too much or too little on our baptism?
Read Romans 7:15–19: Have you ever felt like this? How does it comfort us to know all Christians experience this battle?
Read Romans 7:24,25: How do these verses comfort us, especially when we feel bad about the “wrong things we have done”?
Romans 8: Life in the Spirit
Romans 8 is sometimes known as “The Holy Spirit Chapter of the Bible”, as the Holy Spirit is mentioned more in this chapter than any other in the Bible. There are the beautiful words of “there is no condemnation in Christ” (8:1). We are reminded that the Spirit helps us in our weakness and even prays with us and for us (8:26). God works in all things for our good (8:28). Romans 8 is one of the most comforting chapters in the Bible.
Read Romans 8:1,2: What do these verses say about life in Christ and how the Holy Spirit helps us?
Read Romans 8:22,23: How do these verses describe life in this world? In what ways do we sometimes feel this – emotionally, physically, and in our relationships?
Read Romans 8:26: What does this say about the way the Holy Spirit helps us? How does this comfort us when it comes to what we might say in prayer?
Read Romans 8:28,29: Why is this a fitting conclusion to Romans 1–8? How does it speak into your life right now?
Closing Encouragement
Romans 1–8 takes us from the depths of human weakness to the heights of God’s love. Luther said, We need the Gospel every day because we forget it every day. May these chapters be daily bread for your soul—reminding you that you are fully known, fully forgiven, fully loved, and fully secure in Christ.
Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you that while we were still sinners, you died for us. Thank you for making us right with God through faith, freeing us from sin’s power, and giving us your Spirit. Keep us strong, joyful, and confident in your love. Let nothing shake the truth that we belong to you. In your holy name. Amen.
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