Judges & Romans: Ruined to Righteous

Lecture Outline: Aim: Surviving the spiritual cancer of sin inspires a believer’s devoted service. I. Living Sacrifice (Romans 15.14-33)  T1: Saved sinners live to the praise of God’s glory. a. How have your life choices and deepest desires changed as a result of Paul’s teaching in the book of Romans? b. In what new ways have you become a living sacrifice? c. How are you living to the praise of God’s glory? II. Living Stones (Romans 16.1-27)  T2: Saved sinners live to one day hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant”. a. What do you need to change to live in a way that you will one day hear those words from the lips of your Savior? b. How devoted is your service to Him?

Lecture Outline: Aim: Only King Jesus can overcome the darkness of the Fall. I. Fallen Worship (Judges 17-18)  T1: Jesus is the King of kings and must be worshipped as He commands. a. What does your worship of Jesus look like from Monday to Saturday? b. How are you worshipping Him each day in Spirit and in truth? And how might that worship infuse your weary soul with hope? II. Fallen World (Judges 19-21)  T2: Jesus is the King of kings, and His Light is the only antidote for the darkness of this fallen world. a. How have the sin-soaked pages of Judges affected how you see Your Savior? b. How have they fueled your desire to make your home with Him, now and for eternity?

Lecture Outline: Aim: A Holy Bridegroom requires a holy Bride. I. Living Sacrifice (Romans 12.1-13.14)  T1: Christ’s holy Bride is a living sacrifice in active pursuit of Christlikeness. a. How are you giving yourself to God as a living sacrifice? b. What parts of yourself might you be refusing to lay on the altar? c. Which of the world’s customs or standards are keeping you from standing out as Christ’s holy Bride? II. Loving Servant (Romans 14.1-15.13)  T2: Christ’s holy Bride is a loving servant empowered by the Holy Spirit. a. In which current circumstance are you finding it difficult to love your siblings-in-Christ? b. How is your flesh failing to give you what you need to love others well? c. What do you need to do to surrender to the Holy Spirit to receive His love, joy, and power?

Lecture Outline: Aim: Believers fulfill their God-given potential when they live set apart for Him. I. Samson’s Revenge (Judges 15)  T1: Living set apart for God guards against assimilation with the world. a. In what ways are you simply going with the flow and assimilating into the world? b. How might assimilation into our current culture be hindering you from reaching your fullest God-given potential? II. Samson’s Ruin (Judges 16)  T2: Living set apart for God guards against wasting our God-given potential. a. What are you failing to do to live set apart for God and His purpose for your life? b. What have you identified as God’s purpose for you? How are you living out that purpose?

I. God’s Right (Romans 9) T1: God’s sovereign election is a mercy extended to unworthy sinners. a. What do you believe makes you worthy of God’s saving grace? b. How might your works be infecting what you believe is fair concerning your salvation from sin? c. How might works be corrupting the right view of the gospel of Jesus Christ?II. God’s Reasons (Romans 10) T2: God’s sovereign election involves our human responsibility to share the gospel.a. When was the last time you shared the gospel? b. What causes you to disobey Jesus’ command to participate in the Great Commission? What excuses are you making?III. God’s Remnant (Romans 11) T3: God’s sovereign election is how He remains faithful to His ancient promises. a. What is your relationship or your view of the Jewish people today? b. How could the truths of Romans 11 move you to fervent prayer for God to restore His chosen people, Israel?c. Which of God’s ancient promises inspire you to become a ‘pro-semite’?

Lecture Outline:Aim: God uses flawed people to accomplish His divine purposes.I. Righteous Remnant (Judges 13) T1: God uses flawed people to accomplish His purposes through the strength of the Holy Spirit.a. Which of your flaws or weaknesses are keeping you from wholeheartedly serving God?b. How might the flaws or weaknesses of fellow believers keep you from trusting their ability to serve God effectively?II. Reckless Rebel (Judges 14) T2: God uses flawed people to accomplish His purposes, but they still experience the consequences of their rebellion.a. How does your rebellion against God manifest itself?b. Which of His commands draw out your disobedience?c. What do you insist on doing because it is ‘right in your eyes’?

Lecture Outline:Aim: Holy Spirit power makes us conquering Christians.I. Alive in the Spirit (Romans 8.1-13) T1: The Holy Spirit drives out our flesh to take up residence in us.a. What evidence do you see in your life that the Holy Spirit lives IN you?b. How readily do you draw on His indwelling power?c. What might you being doing to quench the Holy Spirit’s power?II. Adopted by the Spirit (8.14-30) T2: The Holy Spirit adopts wretched sinners and transforms them into the likeness ofChrist.a. Whose child are you? How confidently do you call out to God with the words “Abba! Father!”?b. How closely do you resemble Him?III. Amazed at the Spirit (8.31-39) T3: The Holy Spirit ignites our praise with His assurance of our salvation.a. Which part of the Holy Spirit’s assurance of salvation do you most need to meditate upon?b. Which of Paul’s questions address your deepest need or your darkest doubts?c. Which truths about your salvation prompt your greatest praise? Beginning now, how will you offer your praiseto Him?

Lecture Outline:Aim: God’s promises are perfect and their fulfillment is guaranteed.I. Repentant? (Judges 10.6-18) T1: God’s perfect and guaranteed promises are rooted in His jealous love for His people.a. What are you doing to provoke God’s jealousy?b. In what ways are you failing to be faithful or put God first in your life?II. Raised Up (Judges 11.1-33) T2: God’s perfect and guaranteed promises ensure the victory over our enemies.a. What enemies are vexing your soul today?b. What has you feeling defeated, oppressed, or crushed?c. Which of God’s perfect and guaranteed promises will you employ to gain the victory over your enemies?III. Reprehensible! (Judges 11.34-12.15) T3: God’s perfect and guaranteed promises should cause us to be careful when making and keeping promises.a. How careful are you to do what you say you will do? Does your “yes” mean “yes” and your “no” mean “no”?b. In which situations might you be foolishly and unnecessarily bargaining with God? Or how might you be manipulating God to do what you want by making promises to Him?

Lecture Outline:Aim: God designed His law to lead us from ruined to righteous.I. Deliverance from the Law (Romans 7.1-6) T1: God’s law is designed to make us feel the weight of our sin and rejoice in our freedom in Christ.a. How seriously do you take your sin? Do you name them specifically?b. What effect does the weight of your sin have on your day-to-day life? Does it bog you down with guilt and shame? Or does it cause youto rejoice in your freedom in Christ?II. Delight in the Law (Romans 7.7-25) T2: God’s law is designed to be our delight but victory over our sins requires the Holy Spirit’s power.a. What strategies do you use to battle against the sins that beset you?b. How successful are you at gaining the victory over them?

Aim: God’s justice will ultimately triumph over all evil.I. Abimelech’s Rise (Judges 9.1-21) T1: God’s justice is assured, even when He is silent or seems absent.a. What wrongs or injustices are burdening your heart today?b. What is your peace-producing strategy when God is silent or seems absent?II. Abimelech’s Reign (Judges 9.22-49) T2: God’s justice is assured, even when circumstances appear hopelessly evil.a. What circumstances in your life or in our world today appear hopelessly evil?b. Which truths about God do you need to remember as you wait for His justice to be revealed?III. Abimelech’s Ruin (Judges 9.50-10.5) T3: God’s justice is assured because He remains faithful even when we are not.a. How does that truth convict you of your unfaithfulness to God?b. Which thoughts, words, and deeds do you need to repent of to live in more wholehearted obedience to God?c. How does His assured justice and unfailing faithfulness comfort you as you live in this broken and often dark world?

Lecture Outline:Aim: A believer’s true identity is found in Christ.I. Two Men (Romans 5.12-21) T1: In Christ, the reign of grace evidences a believer’s true identity.a. Which aspects of the reign of grace are evident in your life?b. How does God’s super-abounding grace change how you view your sin?c. What remnants of the reign of sin do you need to put to death?II. Two Masters (Romans 6.1-23) T2: In Christ, “slave to righteousness” is a believer’s true identity.a. How is the identity of “slave to righteousness” manifest in your life?b. How are you living as one who has been set free from sin?c. What changes do you need to make to be a more obedient slave for God?

Lecture Outline:Aim: God with us transforms fear into faith.I. The Coward (Judges 6.1-40) T1: Fearlessness is the fruit of being clothed in the Spirit.a. How in tune are you to the very Presence of God living IN you?b. How might you be allowing your fears to quench the Spirit’s power?II. The Conqueror (Judges 7.1-8.21) T2: Fearlessness is the fruit of trusting in God’s faithful and powerful presence.a. What victory or blessing is your fear keeping you from experiencing?b. Which fear do you need to trust God to conquer and transform into faith?III. The Compromiser (Judges 8.22-35) T3: Fearlessness is the fruit of worshipping God alone.a. How does your worship of God nurture your faith?b. What could you do differently to enrich your worship of the One True God?

Lecture Outline:Aim: Faith in Jesus Christ is profoundly transformative.I. Promise Through Faith (Romans 4.1-25) T1: Faith in Jesus Christ transforms ruined sinners to righteous saints.a. How does your life testify to the transformation faith in God has worked in you?b. What was once dead in your life but is now raised to new life?c. What “ruin” has been profoundly changed to righteousness?d. Which of God’s promises to you need to appropriate by faith?II. Peace Through Faith (Romans 5.1-11) T2:  Faith in Jesus Christ transforms enmity with God into peace with God.a. How confident are you in your approach to God?b. How freely and frequently do you draw near to Him?c. What spurs you on to a vibrant relationship with the Living God? What is hindering it?

Lecture Outline:Aim: In Christ, a believer’s victory is guaranteed.I. Lifting A Standard (Judges 4) T1: A believer’s guaranteed victory over sin and death is the result of Christ’s finished work.a. What is oppressing your spirit?b. Which of sin’s shackles are keeping you stuck in a cycle of defeat?c. Where do you need the Spirit of God to lift a standard over you and guarantee your victory? How earnestly will you persist in the fight?II. Lifting A Song (Judges 5) T2: A believer’s guaranteed victory over sin and death is a mighty deed to be celebrated.a. How often do you set aside time to simply celebrate God?b. Which specific mighty deeds of God could you celebrate in your daily time of prayer?

Aim: Christ’s righteousness is the only remedy for sin’s ruin.I. Divine Diagnosis: Ruined (Romans 3.1-20) T1: A believer’s proper pride is in God and His justice.a. What is your response to God’s divine diagnosis of the universal ruin of mankind?b. Who or what are you taking pride in? Is your pride a ruined pride in worldly privileges and possessions or a righteous pride in God and His justice?c. How do you or could you express your pride in His holy character and His perfect justice?II. Divine Declaration: Righteous (Romans 3.21-31) T2: A believer’s proper pride is in the ONLY One Who pleases God the Father: Jesus Christ.a. In what ways do you show the world you are proud Jesus Christ is Your Savior?b. When the eyes of the world watch how you live, how does it demonstrate the righteousness Christ died to give you? 

Lecture Outline:Aim: God uses His people as instruments to advance His glory.I. Filled Instrument (3.7-11) T1: Instruments for God’s glory must be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit and obedient to His will.a. In what specific ways is God using you as an instrument for His glory?b. How are you walking in obedience to His will for your life?II. Flawed Instruments (3.12-31) T2: Instruments for God’s glory surrender every strength and weakness for His use.a. How is God using you for His glory?b. What excuses are you making to avoid surrendering your life to the glory of God?c. Which weaknesses are keeping you from doing what God has called you to do?

Lecture Outline:Aim: Sin is incompatible with God’s design.I. Excuseless Depravity (Romans 1.18-32) T1: Because sin is incompatible with God’s design, our need for Jesus Christ is critical.a. In what ways do you suppress the truth about God?b. What excuses do you make for continuing in your sin?c. How sick and tired are you of your sin? II. Eternal Destinations (Romans 2.1-29) T2: Because sin is incompatible with God’s design, His judgment is just.a. What is the condition of your heart? Is it hard and impenitent or soft and repentant?b. Is your way of living and thinking more defined by the fruit of the fall or the fruit of the Spirit? On the Day of Judgment, will you reap God’s rewards or His wrath?c. What good works are you busy doing to honor and glorify God? 

Lecture Outline:Aim: True believers must never forget the mighty deeds of God.I. Forgetfulness (Judges 2.1-11) T1: Remembering God’s mighty deeds guards against covenant-breaking actions.a. Which truths about God do you need to recall to guard against spiritual amnesia?b. How could a deeper understanding of your covenant relationship with God change how you live out your faith?II. Faithlessness (Judges 2.12-3.6) T2: Remembering God’s mighty deeds fuels faithfulness to Him.a. What are you doing or thinking that reveals unbelief or worldliness is creeping into your walk of faith?b. How might God be testing your faith through your current struggles or difficulties?c. Which mighty deeds of God do you need to meditate upon to fuel your faithfulness to Him? 

Aim: God calls believers to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.I. Gospel Slaves (Romans 1.1-7) T1: God calls believers to be His kingdom-advancing slaves.a. When were you redeemed from a life of slavery to sin to a life of slavery to Christ?b. What are the positive aspects or blessings of being His slave?c. How is God using you to advance His kingdom?II. Gospel Salvation (Romans 1.8-17) T2: God calls believers to eagerly and shamelessly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ.a. How prepared are you to proclaim the gospel?b. How might your failure to share the gospel indicate you are ashamed of the gospel?c. What can you do to obey God’s call despite your fear being hated, rejected, or ostracized? 

Aim: God’s holiness demands our full obedience.I. Full Obedience (Judges 1.1-20) T1: God’s holiness demands a full obedience that gains the victory over sin.a. What undefeated sin is ruining your life?b. Which specific sin are you allowing to metastasize into other areas of your life?c. How might your failure to trust in God’s sovereign power limit your victory over sin’s power?II. Failed Obedience (Judges 1.21-36) T2: God’s holiness is spurned when we fail to fully obey His commands.a. In which area of your life are you spurning God’s holiness?b. How might your pursuit of happiness or worldly success involve a failed obedience to God’s commands?c. Starting today, what will you do differently to fully obey God’s commands?d. How in awe are you of God’s holiness?

In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes. This repeated phrase in the book of Judges describes a period of history that has been referred to as the "Dark Ages” of the nation of Israel. Each time the Israelites fell into sin, they suffered dire consequences. But when they cried out to God, God responded with great mercy and sent a judge. Unlike modern-day judges, these judges were called by God to deliver the nation of Israel from their enemies. Sadly, once a judge died, the Israelites again "did what was evil in the sight of the LORD", turning away from Him to "do what was right in their own eyes". This is the tragic and recurring cycle of the book of Judges. But not all was lost! There was a Light shining on the horizon: God's Promised Messiah, Jesus Christ. The book of Romans opens by declaring the glorious light of His gospel of salvation: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Romans 1.16-17) After quickly dipping into the depravity that is mankind's reality apart from God, the Apostle Paul points to Christ’s righteousness that belongs to believers by faith. It has been said that Romans is "pure gospel, pure doctrine". It is a doctrinally rich book which has transformed countless lives since the first time it was read by the people of Paul’s day. Let us join their ranks!