The Bridge · Explore the Bible · Fall 2026 Quarter
Romans
Paul's letter to a church he had never visited — the fullest, most carefully argued explanation of the gospel in the New Testament. Thirteen sessions, September 6 through November 29, 2026.
Authorship & Date
The apostle Paul identified himself as the letter's author (1:1), and this is largely unquestioned by scholars — Romans is among the most widely accepted of Paul's letters. Paul most likely wrote from the city of Corinth, near the end of his third missionary journey, around the mid-AD 50s. He was preparing to deliver a collection for the Jerusalem church and then hoped to visit Rome on his way to take the gospel to Spain (Rom. 15:22-29).
Purpose
Since Paul had never visited the church in Rome, this letter served to introduce himself and his gospel to them ahead of a planned visit. He wrote to explain doctrine, unite Jewish and Gentile believers around a common gospel, and enlist their partnership as he continued his mission further west. Romans stands out among Paul's letters for how systematically it lays out the gospel — sin, justification, sanctification, and the hope of glory — for readers he had not personally taught.
Major Themes
The Righteousness of God
Romans 1:16-17 forms the thesis: the gospel reveals God's righteousness, received by faith from first to last.
The Universality of Sin
Jew and Gentile alike stand guilty before God and cannot rely on their own merit for salvation.
Justification by Faith
Salvation is a legal declaration of righteousness, granted by grace through faith, not earned by works.
Life in the Spirit
Believers are freed from sin's dominion and empowered to walk in newness of life through the Spirit.
God's Sovereignty & the Nation of Israel
Romans 9-11 wrestles with God's faithfulness to Israel and His plan for both Jews and Gentiles.
Sanctified Christian Living
The doctrine of the first eleven chapters becomes the foundation for the practical Christian life in chapters 12-16.
Bible Background — Outline of Romans
- I. Introduction (Rom. 1:1-15)
- II. The Universal Need of Righteousness (Rom. 1:16-3:20)
- III. Justification: The Imputation of Righteousness (Rom. 3:21-5:21)
- IV. The New Life in Christ (Rom. 6:1-8:39)
- V. The Mystery of Israel (Rom. 9:1-11:36)
- VI. Exhortations about the Christian Life (Rom. 12:1-15:13)
- VII. Epilogue: Greetings and Travel Plans (Rom. 15:14-16:27)
13-Session Roadmap
| Date | Session | Title | Passage | Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept 6 | 1 | True PowerPublished | Romans 1:13-25 | Joe |
| Sept 13 | 2 | Coming JudgmentPublished | Romans 2:1-13 | Rob |
| Sept 20 | 3 | Saving FaithPublished | Romans 3:21-4:5 | Rob |
| Sept 27 | 4 | Restored RelationshipPublished | Romans 5:1-11,18-21 | Joel |
| Oct 4 | 5 | FreedomUpcoming | Romans 6:1-14 | Joe |
| Oct 11 | 6 | StrugglePublished | Romans 7:4-6,14-25 | Billy |
| Oct 18 | 7 | IndweltUpcoming | Romans 8:14-27 | Joel |
| Oct 25 | 8 | Believe*Upcoming | Romans 9:30-10:3,9-17 | Billy |
| Nov 1 | 9 | KindnessUpcoming | Romans 11:11-24 | Joe |
| Nov 8 | 10 | SacrificeUpcoming | Romans 12:1-13 | Rob |
| Nov 15 | 11 | RepresentUpcoming | Romans 13:1-14 | Joel |
| Nov 22 | 12 | UnityUpcoming | Romans 14:5-20 | Billy |
| Nov 29 | 13 | PurposeUpcoming | Romans 15:14-21,30-33 | Joe |