Romans 3:21-31 Decode this...

Romans 3:21-31

Like all the courses that you take in classes, the bible has vocabulary unique to its author and genre. Romans contains the most commonly used Christian vocabulary or jargon. Like technical language, there is probably no complete equivalent in common speech. Yet, it is important to decode these words for others who have not been brought up with this vocabulary. Look at this attempt to explain Christ work.

1) Look through the passage above and pick out the concepts you or you friends may find hard.

²¹ But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. ²² This righteousness is given through faith in^[a] Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, ²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ²⁴ and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. ²⁵ God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,^[b] through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— ²⁶ he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

 ²⁷ Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. ²⁸ For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. ²⁹ Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, ³⁰ since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. ³¹ Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

2) Brainstorm what these words might mean.

3) Get into pairs and read the definitions in the bible dictionary and commentary. ( Recommendation: I would pick IVP New Bible commentary but not all the biblical books are available online)


Useful links: Bible dictionaries: I would type in the word,eg justified and read what different dictionaries say about it means.
http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/justification.html
http://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/eastons-bible-dictionary/justification.html
Bible commentaries:
http://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/

Summarize your findings and compare these to what you have discussed.

4) Have your definations been comprehensive?

5) Here is a definition table from a Life Applications Bible. How comprehensive are the definitions? Could they be worded or illustrated clearer so your friends would grasp the concepts better?

ELECTION
Romans 9:10-13
God's choice of an individual or group for a specific purpose or destiny.


JUSTIFICATION
Romans 4:25; 5:18
God's act of declaring us not guilty for our sins


PROPITIATION/EXPIATION
Romans 3:25
The removal of God's punishment for sin through the perfect sacrifice of Jesus


REDEMPTION
Romans 3:24; 8:23
Jesus Christ has paid the price so that we can go free.


SANCTIFICATION
Romans 5:2; 15:16
Becoming more and more like Jesus through the work of the Holy Spirit.


GLORIFICATION
Romans 8:18, 19
The ultimate state of the believer after death when we become like Christ.


Attempts to contextualise these concepts to real people results in differences. Watch these two videos and discuss them in the light of what the message means. Perhaps, it is because language consists of more than words; tone, emphasis, manner and body language communicate volumes. Are there visual and tonal differences in the presentation? How can we communicate our message with our whole manner not just the message?

6)  If you have enjoyed this exercise consider starting a cell group dictionary of Christian terms or you might like to make purely visual film messages with a emphasis on mood like this one....

The challenge is to decode and simplify our language and be loving and yet, comprehensive in our sharing of good new.