This week as you prepare for our study of Romans 3:1-20 on Sunday, please reflect on “Our Great Need For Christ.” 

• In Romans 1:18-32, we saw the guilt of the Gentile world. 

• In Romans 2, we saw the guilt of the Jewish world. 

• In Romans 3:1-20, we see the guilt of the whole world. Jews and Gentiles alike…all human beings…are accountable and guilty before a holy God! Thus, we are in desperate need of salvation. 

As you read and pray over Romans 3:1-20, consider the following: 

• In verses 1-8, Paul is revealing questions that he frequently received from Jewish people as he bore witness in their synagogues. What are these questions? What are Paul’s answers? 

• In verses 9-20, Paul is like a prosecuting attorney in the courtroom. In verse 9, he makes an accusation. What is it? 

• In verses 10-18, Paul presents the evidence of our guilt. What types of evidence does he present? 

• In verses 19-20, the verdict is rendered. What is it? 

• How does God’s law “shut our mouths?” (verse 19) 

• According to verse 20, what is the purpose of God’s law? What can the law of God do for us? What can it not do? 

• In light of the bad news of verses 1-20, read the good news of verses 21-26. Doesn’t the gospel of verses 21-26 seem sweeter after we understand verses 1-20? 

It is absolutely a joy to walk through Romans with my brothers and sisters. God is at work in our church family. You never know what you are going to miss when you miss church! Be praying toward Sunday, and planning to be there and being ready to worship. And, as always, invite a friend to meet you there. 

By His Grace, For His Glory, To The Nations,  

Dr. Thurman Hayes, Jr.