Session 3

Chapter 3: Justification by Faith

From Romans Study

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The One Thing: We are justified by faith alone through the finished work of Jesus, who paid the price for our sins.

Intro

In Chapter 2, we were reminded that religious effort and checking the boxes cannot earn us a right standing with God. Paul stripped away the mask of hypocrisy, showing that even those trying to perform or live up to the law are guilty of breaking it. We learned that true faith is a matter of the heart, performed by the Spirit, not by a physical ritual or a list of rules.

So far, Paul has delivered terrible news. We know that there is a problem (sin) and that there’s nothing we can do to fix it. But in Chapter 3, Paul begins to share the good news of the gospel. As you read, you’ll encounter concepts like justification and propitiation that will lead you to see how Jesus has taken our debt and given us His righteousness in return. From this point on, God’s free gift of grace will remain a central point of the book of Romans. 

Study Questions

1. In your own words, what does it mean to be "justified"?
2. Paul quotes several Old Testament passages in verses 10-18. Choose one (e.g., Psalm 14 or Psalm 53) and see how it supports his point that "no one is righteous".
3. Have you ever had a hard time trusting God because of someone else’s actions (verse 4)?
4. Read verse 20. If the law cannot justify us, what is its primary purpose according to Paul?
5. What is "faith"? Read Hebrews 11 to help you form a definition.
6. Verse 25 mentions Jesus as our "propitiation," or the one who "passed over" former sins. How does this connect Jesus’ death to the Passover in the Old Testament?
7. Use a concordance to define "atonement." How does this word deepen your understanding of verse 25?
8. Read verses 27-28. Why does justification by faith remove any ability to boast about our own salvation?
9. Read verses 29-30. How does the concept of justification by faith act as a unifying force for both Jews and Gentiles?
10. Write out your "2-2-2" testimony. Include two minutes on your life before Jesus, two minutes on how you met Him, and two minutes on your life since then.

Using the visual of a scale, this video explains the concept of justification. Because of sin, we are all guilty of treason against God. However, through Jesus’ sacrifice, our legal debt is paid in full, and God declares us “not guilty” as a free gift.

Discussion Questions

1. Share your “2-2-2” testimony with the group. How does hearing so many unique stories highlight God’s grace?
2. The video uses the image of a balanced scale. Why must a holy God require a "payment" before the scales can be balanced?
3. If justification is a "free gift," why do we often feel like we still have to earn God’s love?
4. How does the reality of being justified change how you feel when you mess up?
5. Reflect on your study this week. Are there any specific questions you want to discuss or insights you would like to share?