Romans Introduction

My purpose in writing this Bible Study for my Grandkids is to:

  1. To share some of the insights into the scriptures that I have learned over about 40 years of studying and teaching the Bible.
  2. To dive deeply into the substance of God’s word.
  3. To prompt questions and analysis.
  4. To provide a concise daily reading of about 500 words.
  5. The first book that we will study is Romans.

Source Materials that you should have available:

  1. A current version of the Bible like the New American Standard Translation, New International Version, etc. Paraphrased Bibles like The Living Bible or The Message are not direct translations.
  2. My preference would be that the Bible provide “Chain References” that guide the student to other similar verses related to verse being studied.
  3. Another study aid would a Bible that includes a commentary from well recognized Bible scholar such as Ryrie or Scofield.
  4. I will be quoting many, varied and esteemed commentators whose writings are found on the following website http://www.studylight.org/commentaries.
  5. My primary sources for this will be:
    1. The Ryrie Study Bible by Charles C. Ryrie, Th.D., Ph.D.   Moody Press (1978)                 New American Standard Translation
    2. Thru The Bible Commentary by J. Vernon McGee, Th.D. Thomas Nelson, Inc. (1991)
    3. Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Whole Bible by Albert Barnes (1875) http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/
    4. Adam Clarke Commentary by Adam Clarke (1830) http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/acc/
    5. Darby’s Synopsis of the Whole Bible by John Darby (1857-67) http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/dsn/
    6. Guzik’s Commentaries on the Bible by David Guzik (2006) http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/guz/
    7. Henry’s Complete Commentary On The Bible by Matthew Henry (1706) http://www.studylight.org/commentaries/mhm/

 

The first book of the Bible that we will study together is Paul’s Epistle to the church in Rome.

My reason for selecting Romans is because it is truly the most inclusive book of Christian doctrine in the New Testament. Martin Luther the chief leader of the Protestant Reformation described the importance of Romans as follows “the true masterpiece of the New Testament and the very purest Gospel, which is well worthy and deserving that a Christian man should not only learn it by heart, word for word, but should daily deal with it as the daily bread of men’s souls.  It can never be too much read or studied; and the more it is handled, the more precious it becomes, and the better it tastes.”