3 Day Bible Reading Plan - “Romans: Power”
Big Idea: Jesus wants to save your life, not just improve it.
Day 1
Featured Verse: Romans 1:1–6
• When you read Paul describing himself as a “servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,” how do you see your own identity in relation to Jesus and His gospel?
• How does the phrase “including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ” speak to your own sense of belonging or purpose as a follower of Jesus?
• Looking at Paul’s sense of divine calling and mission right from the start of the letter, where in your life right now do you most need to remember that you have been set apart for something bigger than yourself?
Pause and Reflect: As you read Paul’s description of being a servant of Christ, called as an apostle, and set apart for the gospel, in what ways do you sense God calling you to a deeper, more surrendered love for Jesus in your own life right now?
“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ… There is no higher title than this. To be the servant of Christ is to be in the noblest of all services. To be the servant of Christ is to be in the safest of all positions. To be the servant of Christ is to be in the happiest of all conditions. The servant of Christ is a servant who has a Master who is perfect—perfect in wisdom, perfect in power, perfect in love. He is One who never gives His servants too much to do, and never lays on them burdens too heavy to be borne. He is One who never sends them to work without giving them a full supply of strength and grace, and never allows them to fail in the day of battle.” - J.C. Ryle
Day 2
Featured Verse: Romans 1:7–13
• When Paul says he mentions the Romans “without ceasing” in his prayers, what does that reveal to you about the role of consistent prayer in caring for other believers, even those you’ve never met?
• Paul mentions being prevented from coming to them multiple times, yet he kept the desire alive. Where in your own life have you experienced delays in serving others, and how do you respond when God’s timing differs from yours?
• In what ways does Paul’s heartfelt longing to be with the Roman believers challenge or encourage you in how you think about and invest in your own church family or distant Christian friends?
Pause and Reflect: Paul constantly thanked God for the Roman believers and prayed for them without ceasing. How can you grow in a similar habit of grateful, persistent prayer for the people in your life who follow Jesus?
“Paul says he mentions them always in his prayers, without ceasing… This man was a man of prayer. He did not just say, ‘I am praying for you’ as a polite formula. He really did pray for them without ceasing… He longed to see them that he might impart unto them some spiritual gift to the end that they might be established; that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. You notice the apostle’s humility. He does not say, ‘I am coming in order that I may give you something.’ He says, ‘I am coming in order that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.’ There is nothing so encouraging to a preacher as to find people who are really living the Christian life, who are walking in the faith, who are standing fast in the faith. And here the great apostle himself, this giant in the faith, says that he is looking forward to the time when he will be able to meet these people and when they will be able to help him, and he will be able to help them. That is the glory of the communion of saints.” - Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Day 3
Featured Verse: Romans 1:14–17
• Paul says he is under obligation both to Greeks and barbarians, wise and foolish. Who are the people in your life that you sense a similar gospel debt toward?
• How does understanding the gospel as “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” free you from the pressure of trying to be a perfect messenger when you share your faith?
• Jesus wants to save your life, not just improve it. How does that distinction challenge the way you currently talk about or live out the gospel with the people around you?
Pause and Reflect: Because Paul understood the gospel as the saving power of God that reveals His righteousness by faith, he lived with urgency and love. How can keeping this truth at the center of your faith help you pray more fervently and love others more selflessly?
“At last, by the mercy of God, meditating day and night, I gave heed to the context of the words, namely, ‘In it the righteousness of God is revealed, as it is written, “He who through faith is righteous shall live.”’ There I began to understand that the righteousness of God is that by which the righteous lives by a gift of God, namely by faith… Here I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates.” - Martin Luther