Romans (Youth) 1 - Part 1

Paul’s Hello to the Romans

Scripture: Romans 1:1-7

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Exposure to Exposition & Exploring the Scriptures: (15-20 mins)

• Bible Drills (Memorization of OT & NT Book order)

• Review

• Prayer

• Opening question

• Guide students to Romans 1:1-7 in the Bible. (Help them as needed, NT vs OT)

• Read aloud - Ask kids to start their pointer finger on V1 and follow along 

Opening Question

“Have you ever written a letter to someone? Maybe to a friend or family member? Paul wrote letters, too, and one of his most famous letters is the book of Romans. Let’s see how he begins his letter!”

Romans 1:1-7 NLT
1 This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. 2 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.
6 And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. 7 I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people.
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 

• V1 Author: Paul. Paul says he belongs to Jesus.

  • Paul calls himself a servant of Christ Jesus.

  • In those days, a servant could choose to stay with a kind master forever.

  • Paul is saying, “I want to and will belong to Jesus forever!”

Romans 1:2-4 God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. 3 The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, 4 and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord.

• V2-4 The Good News was God’s plan

  • Paul says the gospel (good news) was promised long ago.

  • God promised through the prophets that He would send His Son.

  • Jesus was born from King David’s family, died, and rose from the dead to show He is God’s Son.

  • Kid Point: God always keeps His promises, and Jesus is the proof.

Romans 1:5-6 Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.
6 And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ.

• V5-6 We are called too!

  • Paul says Jesus gave him grace and a special job- to tell people everywhere about Jesus.

  • But then Paul says, “And you are called too!”

  • That means everyone who believes in Jesus has a job to do- to follow Him and share His love.

  • Kid Point: The good news isn’t just for Paul, it’s for us too!

Romans 1:7 I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people.
May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace. 

• V7 Saints are God’s people!

  • Paul calls the believers in Rome “saints.”

  • A saint isn’t just a super-holy person. A saint is anyone who belongs to Jesus.

  • That means if you believe in Jesus, you are a saint too!

  • Kid Point: God calls us His holy people- His saints.

Observation Questions (What did it say?)

1. Who wrote the letter we read today? (Paul v.1)

2. Who did God promise long ago that He would send? (His Son, Jesus v.1)

3. How do we know Jesus is God’s Son? (He rose from the dead v.4)

Understanding Questions (What does it mean?)

1. What do you think it means to “belong to Jesus”? (To be His child, believe in Jesus)

2. If Paul says we are all “called,” what do you think our job is as Christians? (Open for answers)

3. What does it mean to be a “saint”? (Not just super-holy people, but everyone who believes in Jesus!)

Application Questions (What should I do?)

1. If God always keeps His promises, how can that help you trust Him more?

2. How does it make you feel to know you are a saint – God’s special person?

3. What’s one way you can live like a saint at home, school, or with friends?

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Activities

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What is the Gospel?

Jesus’ perfect life paid for the sins of all who believe. Jesus died on the cross as the punishment for sin. But Jesus did not stay dead, three days later He rose to life (resurrection) defeating the power of death. Believe, and you will be saved!

• We are all sinful. We all deserve the consequence of sin – death.

• Jesus is what saves us from the sin we all have in our bodies. And one day, he’ll even give us a new body.

Supporting Truths Kids Can Grasp:

• Paul belonged to Jesus and followed Him forever.

• God promised long ago to send Jesus, and He kept that promise.

• Jesus is God’s Son, proven by His resurrection.

• Everyone who believes is called to share the good news.

• All believers are saints – God’s special, holy people.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.