Sermon Discussion Guide 9-27-26

Sermon Discussion Guide
Romans | Romans 2:1-16 | You Can’t Save Yourself

Gathering Question:
What is one way you’ve seen God at work in your life this week?

Gathering Prayer
Father, by Your Spirit, would you guide us into all truth. Help us to hear and be attentive to Your voice as we work through this study. In the name of Jesus, Your Son, we pray. Amen.

Opening Questions

• What stood out to you in the sermon? 
• What insights did you gain? 
• What questions did it raise?

Read Romans 2:1-16

God’s Judgment is Inescapable

• Why do you think it is easier for us to recognize the sins of other people than our own?
• What is the difference between saying, “I have things I need to improve,” and recognizing, “I cannot save myself”?
• Consider our culture’s emphasis on self-improvement and self-help. Why can these things be helpful in some ways while still being inadequate to solve our deepest problem?
• Romans 2:4 says that God's kindness, tolerance, and patience are intended to lead us to repentance. How does God's patience change the way we should respond to the reality of his judgment?

God’s Judgment is Righteous

• What would be wrong with a God who simply ignored evil and never held anyone accountable?
• Romans 2:6–10 speaks about God judging according to what people have done. How should we understand the relationship between faith and works?
• Imagine standing before God and being asked to live according to your own definition of a good person. How well would you actually measure up?
• Paul's argument ultimately takes away our ability to say, “I'm a good person because I'm better than them.” Why is that such an important part of understanding the gospel?

God’s Judgment is Impartial

• What kinds of things can people today use as evidence that they are “okay with God”?
• How can religious activity actually become a source of self-righteousness?
• Why is “we all need a Savior” such an important message for both the obviously broken person and the morally respectable person?

Put it Together

• Consider the three common responses to the judgment of God: dismiss it, be afraid, be humble. Which option normally describes your response to this teaching?
• Consider Martin Luther’s conclusion on the judgment of God: “Judgment day is called a day of wrath, and a day of mercy; a day of tribulation and a day of peace; a day of damnation and a day of glory.” What is your response? How do you see yourself in this?

Closing Prayer