When I was still in school, even in middle and high school, I always had an issue with staying focused in class. I remember times when my teacher would get mad at us for not paying attention, and they would stop class to explain how and why we needed to focus. They would say, “If you do not listen, you cannot learn. I cannot teach the class if you are being a distraction.” However, there never failed to be a person who, right after hearing the teacher give us a talk like this, would try and distract the class again. Most of the time, that was me. This makes sense as to why the middle and high school kids I have now, as the Student Pastor, do not listen to me sometimes! God does have a sense of humor. Anyways, back to the story. It did not matter how passionate or even right the teacher was in the speeches they would give, someone would always try to cause issues in the classroom.  

1. What kind of student were you? Were you a distractor or a rule follower?  

Paul speaks of something very similar towards the end of Romans chapter 16. It comes after detailing so many amazing truths through the first 15 chapters of the book that will help us know how we can be saved, how we can know about God, and how we relate to other believers. Paul begins his conclusion with a warning. In Romans 16:17-20, he writes, “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.” This may seem like a downer message at the end of such a theologically rich letter, but he writes it for a reason. He knows that we are going to experience these struggles. He knows people are going to make their way into our church to cause divisions and fill their own appetites. So, we need to be on the watch for them.  

2. Have you experienced someone trying to cause division in the church?  

3. Has there ever been a time when you felt like you were deceived by someone in the church? How did that affect your relationship with God?  

4. What does it mean to be “wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil”?  

5. Why is having sound theological doctrine good for guarding against people who might try to cause divisions?  

Thankfully, Paul does not end the book with a doom and gloom outlook that people are going to come into the flock and cause division. He ends the book with a beautiful doxology that will be good for us to look at. For those who might not know what a doxology is, it is essentially a hymn or short song to sing praise to God before a congregation leaves after a gathering. I want to split up Paul’s doxology here into two parts. Romans 16:25-26 says, “Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith.” As with everything in the Christian walk, we should always come back to the Gospel. Paul started with the Gospel in Romans 1:16-17, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” He comes back to it to remind the first readers and for us today where our strength comes from.  

6. How would you explain to a non-believer how the Gospel strengthens you? Can you share a time in your life when that was true?  

7. What are some things that get in the way of you coming back to the Gospel for strength in your life?  

The last part of his doxology ends with such a beautiful verse that I hope encourages you all as you read it. Romans 16:27 says, “To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.” I think it is so amazing that Paul wraps up this incredible letter with this verse. He is reminding us that everything is for the glory of God. We may still be confused by some parts of this letter, and we may not know exactly how to apply all the truths we have learned through this series. However, we can echo Paul, “To the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ!”  

8. After studying Romans, what is something you learned about God, Jesus, or salvation that you did not know before?  

9. How can we use what we have learned through Romans to bring glory to God?  

I want to end this lesson in a unique way. It does not matter whether you are good with words or not, the key is writing from your heart. Doxologies are a way for us to sing or say a short praise to God before we leave each other. Try to take a moment as a group or by yourself, and write a short doxology for you all to end this lesson with.  

10. Write your doxology.