Unit 3: Faith Gives Us Hope
Salvation for All Who Believe | Bible Background • ROMANS 10:5–17 | Printed Text • ROMANS 10:5–17 | Devotional Reading • PSALM 19:1–14
AIM FOR CHANGE
By the end of this lesson, we will EXPLAIN Paul’s confidence in the salvation offered in Christ, FEEL justified through our faith in Christ, and EMBRACE with joy the possibility for all.
IN FOCUS
For three months, Cathy had been looking for work. She prayed that the Lord would give her a job where she would have the opportunity to share the Gospel with her fellow workers. Cathy was a trained and certified accountant but no doors were opening for her.
One morning, Cathy received a call from a local rehabilitation center that had gotten her name from a former employee. The center was hiring, but not in the accounting department. The personnel director was so impressed by Cathy’s work ethic and resume, he asked Cathy if she would be interested in training men and women who had just been released from prison so that they might successfully return to society and work. She asked for a week to consider.
Cathy continued looking for employment in her field, but nothing materialized. After several sleepless nights, Cathy wondered if this assignment was an answer to her prayer. She decided to step out on faith and take the position.
Within the first month, God gave Cathy favor with her supervisor so that she could start a weekly Bible study. More than 75% of the patients attended and Cathy was able to lead many of them to Christ. Nearly everyone Cathy trained was successful in finding goodpaying jobs and becoming witnesses for Christ where they worked.
How has God shown you unexpected ways to make a path to share the Gospel with those around you?
FOCAL VERSES
KJV Romans 10:5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.