Day 345 – Paul – Journey #3 (Plan for Rome)

• A casual reading of today’s passages might simply leave you thinking that Paul wanted a holiday to Rome, and not much more! That’s not the case though, of course. Before reading my notes below, think about (or jot down) some areas of teaching from today’s words which are helpful to us nowadays.
• Why did Paul want to go to Rome? From what you know of history, what do you think was important about Rome as opposed to any other big city?
• The Romans weren’t exactly best buddies with the Jews (or Christians) in the areas they lived. Why do you think Paul was so keen to preach the gospel to the very people who were oppressing them?
• In the passage in Romans 15, Paul was keen to share the gospel with people who have never heard it before. Do you think you would find it easier to tell someone the gospel who hadn’t ever heard of Jesus, or someone who had, but didn’t believe (or know) what the Bible says?
• The passage in Romans 1 – verse 15 especially – suggests that Paul was also ready to preach to people who already believed, in order to encourage and build them up. How does this help you to understand why we put great importance on regular church attendance and being part of the church family, despite it not being the way to salvation in itself?
• What does Paul say in Romans 1:12 about how he would have been built up too? I am personally built up and encouraged hearing the Bible taught, and when I see young people in church growing spiritually.
• Romans 1:16 is an “underline me” passage! I challenge you to memorise it. If there is one verse from the Bible which I think is important for you young Christian men and women to have to build your life on, this might be it. I sometimes write this verse on cards I give to people at their baptism or confirmation.

You might wonder why the One Story reading plan has given over an entire day to reading about how Paul planned to go to Rome. In a way, it’s true that this is a day of lighter reading – it doesn’t go deep on theology! Today is a little bit of a breather in that respect.

What is nice is that it gives us a chance to really focus in on those wonderful words in Romans 1. We shouldn’t be ashamed of the gospel. It is great news for all who accept it. So often, however, we push it down and make it private. There are moments we choose to hide it. The urgency of Paul’s encouragement to share the gospel is further highlighted by the deeply challenging words of God’s judgement on sin that Paul ends chapter 1 with (which we didn’t read today, but you might like to).