Romans (Youth) 11 - Part 1

Israel’s Future: Has God Rejected Israel Forever?

Scripture: Romans 11:1-27

Exposure to Exposition & Exploring the Scriptures: (10-20 mins)

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

• Guide the children to Romans 11:1-27 in the Bible. (Help them as needed, NT vs OT)

• Say: We are going to continue through Paul's letter to the church of Rome.

• We will learn that the gospel is God’s power to save everyone who believes, and we should never be ashamed of Jesus.

• Read aloud. (Ask kids to see their pointers on V1)

Opening Question

How should we treat someone who helped us succeed, even if they’re struggling right now?

→ Explain that in today’s lesson, we will see how, because of Israel’s current state of unbelief, now you and I can be one of God’s children, grafted in.

Notes:
Israel’s Past: Romans 9 shows that God is always faithful and sovereign in showing mercy, choosing according to His promise, and preserving a faithful remnant of Israel, while shifting His focus to Gentiles. To save them because of Israel’s hardened hearts.

Israel’s Present: As Romans 10 opens, Paul asks if God is being fair to Israel and explains that Israel’s problem was not effort, but trusting the Law instead of faith in Jesus—leading him to address Israel’s ongoing rejection of Christ and God’s open offer of salvation to all who believe. Still going on today concerning Israel! The Lord in His providence has elected to leave Israel in their disobedience for a time to extend mercy to Gentiles

Where This Leads Us Next:

• If God could save Gentiles who weren’t looking for Him…

• and Israel had everything they needed…

• Why hasn’t God saved all of Israel yet?

• That question leads us directly into Romans 11 — Israel’s future.

Romans 11:1-27 NLT
I ask, then, has God rejected his own people, the nation of Israel? Of course not! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.
2 No, God has not rejected his own people, whom he chose from the very beginning. Do you realize what the Scriptures say about this? Elijah the prophet complained to God about the people of Israel and said, 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me, too.”
4 And do you remember God’s reply? He said, “No, I have 7,000 others who have never bowed down to Baal!”
5 It is the same today, for a few of the people of Israel have remained faithful because of God’s grace—his undeserved kindness in choosing them. 6 And since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s grace would not be what it really is—free and undeserved.
7 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. 8 As the Scriptures say,
“God has put them into a deep sleep.
To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see,
    and closed their ears so they do not hear.”
9 Likewise, David said,
“Let their bountiful table become a snare,
    a trap that makes them think all is well.
Let their blessings cause them to stumble,
    and let them get what they deserve.
10 Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see,
    and let their backs be bent forever.”
11 Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. 12 Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.
13 I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this, 14 for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them. 15 For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead! 16 And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy—just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.
17 But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. 18 But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.
19 “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” 20 Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. 21 For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either.
22 Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. 23 And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree. 24 You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong.
25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. 26 And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,
“The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem,
    and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness.
27 And this is my covenant with them,
    that I will take away their sins.”

Notes:
After Romans 9–10, Paul knows his readers will ask one final question: If most of Israel does not believe in Jesus, does that mean God is finished with them?

• V1-6 Has God rejected His people, Israel?

  • Some people—then and now—answer this question wrongly by saying:

    • Israel is finished

    • The Church replaced Israel

    • God’s promises now belong only to Gentiles

  • Paul immediately says: Absolutely not!

  • Paul’s First Proof: Himself (v.1)

    • Paul says, “I am an Israelite.”

    • Paul is living proof that God has not rejected Israel.

    • If even one Jew believes, it shows God is still keeping His promise.

  • Paul’s Second Proof: God’s Pattern (vv.2–4)

    • Paul reminds them of Elijah:

    • Elijah thought he was the only faithful Jew left in the entire world.

    • But God said He had kept 7,000 who did not worship idols

    • God was never absent. Elijah just couldn’t see the whole picture.

  • Paul says it is the same now (v.5)

    • God is saving a remnant of Israel

    • God has always worked this way: Never saving the whole nation at once

  • Paul makes this crystal clear: Salvation is by Grace, Not Works (v.6)

    • If it were by works, grace would no longer be grace

    • Israel’s problem: Trying to earn righteousness through the Law

    • The remnant’s salvation: Comes only by God’s undeserved kindness (GRACE)

  • Kid Point: God has not rejected Israel—He is still saving a faithful remnant by grace, just as He always has.

Notes:

• God has not rejected Israel

• He has preserved a remnant

• Salvation has always been by grace

• And God is not finished with His covenant people

Where This Leads Next:

• If God has preserved a remnant…and has not rejected Israel…

• What is God’s future plan for the nation of Israel?

Romans 11:7-10 So this is the situation: Most of the people of Israel have not found the favor of God they are looking for so earnestly. A few have—the ones God has chosen—but the hearts of the rest were hardened. 8 As the Scriptures say,
“God has put them into a deep sleep.
To this day he has shut their eyes so they do not see,
    and closed their ears so they do not hear.”
9 Likewise, David said,
“Let their bountiful table become a snare,
    a trap that makes them think all is well.
Let their blessings cause them to stumble,
    and let them get what they deserve.
10 Let their eyes go blind so they cannot see,
    and let their backs be bent forever.”

• V7-10 If God has not rejected Israel, why do most still not believe?

  • Paul asks, “What does everything we’ve learned so far mean?”

    • Israel is divided into two groups:

    • The Remnant: A small number of Jews were chosen by God, they received righteousness by grace

    • The Majority: Most of Israel did not believe; their hearts were hardened by God

    • This shows God is still faithful, but working with only a minority for now.

  • What Does “Hardened” Mean?

    • Israel already had sinful, unbelieving hearts

    • God did not create their unbelief

    • But He make sure it continued, to bring good

  • **Just like Pharaoh:

    • Pharaoh resisted God on his own

    • God hardened Pharaoh to carry out His larger plan

  • **In the same way:

    • Israel rejected Jesus willingly

    • God hardened the nation to carry out His plan of salvation

  • Scripture confirms this, Paul quotes Moses: (v.8)

    • Israel saw miracles, Israel heard God’s Word

    • But God did not give them eyes to see, ears to hear, hearts to understand who Jesus was

  • No one believes unless God grants mercy!

  • Paul then quotes a warning from David : (vv.9–10)

    • Israel’s “table” represents the Kingdom

    • Jesus offered the Kingdom to Israel

    • Israel rejected Him (Jesus)

  • So what could have been a blessing became a stumbling block, became a judgment

    • Israel’s rejection of Jesus became the reason God withheld the Kingdom—for now.

    • This hardening is temporary, not final

  • **Important Clarification: Which keeps us from misunderstanding God’s fairness.

    • Paul is speaking about nations, not individual people. (Israel & Gentile Nations)

    • Individual Jews can still be saved (Remnant)

    • Individual Gentiles can have hard hearts towards Jesus (unbelievers)

    • But nationally, Israel is hardened (Israel)

    • Nationally, Gentiles are receiving mercy (The majority of the Church is Gentiles)

  • Kid Point: Paul uses the Old Testament Scripture to show that Israel will be hardened temporarily.

Romans 11:11-16 Did God’s people stumble and fall beyond recovery? Of course not! They were disobedient, so God made salvation available to the Gentiles. But he wanted his own people to become jealous and claim it for themselves. 12 Now if the Gentiles were enriched because the people of Israel turned down God’s offer of salvation, think how much greater a blessing the world will share when they finally accept it.
13 I am saying all this especially for you Gentiles. God has appointed me as the apostle to the Gentiles. I stress this, 14 for I want somehow to make the people of Israel jealous of what you Gentiles have, so I might save some of them. 15 For since their rejection meant that God offered salvation to the rest of the world, their acceptance will be even more wonderful. It will be life for those who were dead! 16 And since Abraham and the other patriarchs were holy, their descendants will also be holy—just as the entire batch of dough is holy because the portion given as an offering is holy. For if the roots of the tree are holy, the branches will be, too.

• V11-16 God’s Plan and Gentiles Bless through Israel’s Temporary Rejection

  • Israel’s rejection of Jesus was not their end, but part of God’s plan to bring salvation to the Gentiles—and Israel’s future acceptance will bring even greater blessing to the world.

  • Why God Allowed Israel to Stumble by Rejecting Jesus? (v.11)

    • God withheld mercy for a time, and salvation went to the Gentiles (This was intentional, not accidental.)

    • God’s purpose was to extend mercy to the Gentiles

    • Israel will then see Gentiles and their “Messiah” and make Israel long for their Messiah; this is jealousy.

  • Paul points out something amazing (vv.12, 15):

    • Israel’s rejection brought salvation to the world

    • So Paul asks: If God brought so much good from Israel’s rejection, how much greater will the blessing be when Israel finally receives Christ?

    • Paul calls that future moment : Israel’s fulfillment, Israel’s acceptance, life from the dead (the resurrection and Kingdom)

  • Paul’s Heart for Israel is shown when he turns to address the Gentiles directly (vv.13–14)

    • Paul was sent to the Gentiles, only because Israel rejected Jesus

    • Paul hoped that Gentiles receiving salvation would stir Israel’s longing for the Messiah and lead some Jews to faith

    • This shows how Gentiles should view Israel today—with hope, respect, and compassion.

  • Why Israel still matters using dough/ whole lump and root/ branches (v.16)

    • The meaning is simple: Israel’s beginnings were holy!

    • God set them apart; the nation that came from Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob still matters.

    • God’s promises started with them and He will keep His promises

  • How are Gentile believers to respond to this?

    • We were saved through Israel’s stumbling

    • We will receive the Kingdom when Israel receives Christ

    • So honor Israel, pray for Israel, desire their salvation

    • Not because every Jew is faithful, but because God is faithful to His covenant people.

  • Kid Point: Israel’s stumbling over Jesus brought salvation to the world, but God’s not done with His Holy people.

Romans 11:17-24 But some of these branches from Abraham’s tree—some of the people of Israel—have been broken off. And you Gentiles, who were branches from a wild olive tree, have been grafted in. So now you also receive the blessing God has promised Abraham and his children, sharing in the rich nourishment from the root of God’s special olive tree. 18 But you must not brag about being grafted in to replace the branches that were broken off. You are just a branch, not the root.
19 “Well,” you may say, “those branches were broken off to make room for me.” 20 Yes, but remember—those branches were broken off because they didn’t believe in Christ, and you are there because you do believe. So don’t think highly of yourself, but fear what could happen. 21 For if God did not spare the original branches, he won’t spare you either.
22 Notice how God is both kind and severe. He is severe toward those who disobeyed, but kind to you if you continue to trust in his kindness. But if you stop trusting, you also will be cut off. 23 And if the people of Israel turn from their unbelief, they will be grafted in again, for God has the power to graft them back into the tree. 24 You, by nature, were a branch cut from a wild olive tree. So if God was willing to do something contrary to nature by grafting you into his cultivated tree, he will be far more eager to graft the original branches back into the tree where they belong.

• V17-24 A Warning Against Pride to the Gentiles

  • Paul reminds the Gentiles in the church to set aside pride, prejudice, or hatred toward Israel. God is still working His plan, and Gentiles must understand their place in it.

    • The olive tree picture: Israel is the root of God’s promises (vv.17–18)

    • The present generations of the saved Israel are the natural branches (remnant)

    • Gentiles (us) are wild branches grafted in

    • Gentiles now share in God’s blessings only because Israel was set aside for a time.

    • The root supports the branches—not the other way around.

  • A Warning to some who may say Israel was removed and we take their place (vv.19–21)

    • Paul answers: Israel was set aside because of unbelief

    • Gentiles stand only by faith, which is from GOD!

    • Therefore, do not be arrogant—fear God

    • If God set aside His own people for a time, He can also set aside Gentiles.

  • Kindness and Severity of God (v.22)

    • God showed severity toward Israel and showing kindness to Gentiles

    • But this situation is temporary.

    • God’s mercy moves according to His plan.

  • Israel Will Be Grafted Back In (vv.23–24)

    • When Israel turns from unbelief, God will restore them

    • If God could graft in wild branches, how much easier to restore natural ones?

    • God is not finished with Israel.

    • He will bring them back to Him once His mercy & grace are fulfilled in the Gentiles

  • That truth should humble us towards Israel!!

  • Kid Point: Do not be ugly or prideful towards Israel, they are STILL God’s chosen people in the end.

Romans 11:25-27
25 I want you to understand this mystery, dear brothers and sisters, so that you will not feel proud about yourselves. Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ. 26 And so all Israel will be saved. As the Scriptures say,
“The one who rescues will come from Jerusalem,
    and he will turn Israel away from ungodliness.
27 And this is my covenant with them,
    that I will take away their sins.”

• V25-27 Israel’s hardening is partial and temporary, and when God finishes saving the Gentiles, He will save all Israel.

  • Paul introduces a mystery—a truth hidden before, now revealed. (v.25)

    • Israel’s hardening is not total (a remnant still believes)

    • Israel’s hardening is not permanent

    • It lasts until the full number (fullness) of Gentiles is saved

    • When that number is reached, God’s focus will return to Israel

    • This shows God’s sovereignty (control) over salvation for both Jews and Gentiles.

  • All Israel Will Be Saved (v.26)

    • Paul declares the future plainly: Jesus will return

    • Ungodliness will be removed from Israel (unbelief)

    • Every Jew alive at that time will believe

    • This happens at Christ’s Second Coming, when God pours out His Spirit on Israel.

  • God Keeps His Covenant (v.27)

    • God promised to forgive Israel’s sins

    • This promise goes back to Abraham, Moses, and the prophets (Genesis 12:3)

    • God delayed Israel’s restoration to extend mercy to the nations

    • But delay is not denial or failure form God!

  • Kid Point: Israel’s future is secure in God!

Observation Questions (What did it say?)

1. Does God reject Israel according to Paul?  (No. God has not rejected Israel and has preserved a faithful remnant. v.1-2, 5)

2. What happened to most of Israel, and what happened to Gentiles? (Most of Israel was hardened, while Gentiles received salvation. v. 7,11)

3. What will happen to Israel in the future? (When the fullness of the Gentiles is complete, all Israel will be saved. vv25-26)

Understanding Questions (What does it mean?)

1. What does Paul mean by a “remnant” in Israel? (A small group of Jews chosen by God’s grace who believe in Jesus, proving God is still faithful to Israel. v5-6)

2. Why did God allow Israel to stumble? (God used Israel’s rejection of Jesus to bring salvation to the Gentiles and to prepare for Israel’s future restoration. V11-12,15)

3. What is the “mystery” Paul reveals about Israel and Gentiles? (Israel’s hardening is partial and temporary and will end after God finishes saving the Gentiles. v25)

Application Questions (What should I do?)

1. How should Gentile believers view Israel today? (With humility and respect, knowing we share in blessings that began with Israel. vv.18-20)

2. What warning does Paul give to Gentile believers? (Not to become arrogant, because God can shift His mercy according to His plan. v21-22)

3. What does Romans 11 teach us about trusting God’s promises? (God always keeps His promises, even when fulfillment is delayed. vv.26-27)

Activities

Remind them: 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:

• God makes sure people hear about Jesus. (Romans 10:14-15).

• Hearing the Gospel is how faith begins. (Romans 10:17).

• Israel did hear and understand God’s message. (Romans 10:18-19).

• Not everyone who hears the Good News believes it.  (Romans 10:16).

• God patiently reached out to Israel, even when they resisted. This is still going on today within Israel (Romans 10:21).

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.