1. Where is the theme of Romans and in your own words describe the aspects of the theme helpful in understanding the entire message of Romans?

2. What is a diatribe and in what Chapters does Paul employ this device?

3. If shame and honor were pivotal values in the first – century Greco – Roman world, how does Paul counter these values?

4. Robert Jewett’s Hermeneia lists five ways that describe Paul’s purpose in writing to the church in Rome. In your own words lists these five purposes and briefly discuss each one of them giving examples of how each one applies to the 21^st century Church.

5. Discuss the importance, or lack thereof, of interpreting Romans as a ‘manifesto of Paul’s theology,’ rather than a letter or essay.

6. Define the phrase “Impartiality of God,” as used by Paul and how this applies to the message of Romans as a whole?

7. Discuss the role of Phoebe in Paul’s missionary agenda and give examples as to how her role can be contextualized in the 21^st century Church.

8. One of Paul’s aims in writing Romans was to usher in a new era of reconciliation, love and peace. List two groups who were recipients of this message in the Rome?

9. Discuss Romans 5: 1 – 10.

God has reconciled us to Himself through Christ Jesus.

10. Discuss the role of the Spirit and love of God in Romans 8: 26 –39

11. Outline the structure of Romans and briefly identify the theme of each segment. Consult N. T. Wright’s work on page 397 – 406 in: The New Interpreter’s Bible. Vol. X,2002)

12. Choose one of the following theological topics and write a two paragraph essay on how this topic is expressed in Romans 3 – 8 (all these options will be on the final).

a.       Righteousness of God

b.      Grace

c.       Christology

d.      Ecclesiology

e.       Faith

13. What role does Abraham in Romans 4: 1 - 25 play in Paul’s theology and spirituality and consequently Christian spirituality?

14. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights seeks to protect the rights of individuals. In your reading of Paul’s letter to the Roman Christian community, how do our rights affect our reading of Romans 4: 1 – 25?

15. How did Paul characterize the failure of Jews in Romans 9: 30 – 10: 4?

Israel's Unbelief
30What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone."
33As it is written:   "See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble     and a rock that makes them fall,   and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."[a]

Romans 10
 1Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. 4Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

16. In Romans 11: 33 – 36 Paul breaks into a doxology on the majesty of God. How in your own pastoral worldview does this doxology mean to the Christian Church?

17. In Romans 15: 7 – 9 Paul recapitulates a global view for all humanity. In one sentence give your understanding of this view.

18. Based on your reading, lectures and reflections, how has your call to ministry been challenged? What aspects of Romans would you want to pursue in your ministry?