Romans (Youth) 16

The Greeting & Warning

Scripture: Romans 16:1-27

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

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

• Review

• Prayer

• Opening question

• Guide students to Romans 16:1-27 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

Do you see people serving around the church you attend? → Discuss the different people you see serving others and serving God in what they do at the church.

Notes:
Paul is finishing his letter to the church in Rome. In this letter, he taught how we are saved by faith in Jesus, explained God’s plan for Israel, and showed how believers should live.

Now, at the end, Paul gets personal. He encourages the believers and asks them to respond by helping, praying, and supporting God’s work.

Paul had never visited the church in Rome, yet he knew many believers there. He takes time to warmly greet them and encourages the church to love and support them also. Then, before closing his letter, Paul gives one final important warning and brings everything to a close.

***Let the students read the names during the read-through!

Romans 16:1-27 NLT
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. 2 Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.
3 Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. 4 In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. 5 Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home.
Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ. 6 Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
10 Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus. 12 Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord’s workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me.
14 Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who meet with them. 15 Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers who meet with them. 16 Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.
17 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. 19 But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.
22 I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord’s followers.
23 Gaius says hello to you. He is my host and also serves as host to the whole church. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you his greetings, and so does our brother Quartus.
25 Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. 26 But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. 27 All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.

• V14-16 Greet Pauls Friends - God’s Family Works Together!

  • Paul encourages his brothers and sisters in the church in Rome to greet many people in the area, showing how important each person is in God’s family.

    • Phoebe, Priscilla, and others served faithfully. (v.1-3)

    • Priscilla and Aquila risked their lives to help Paul. (v.4)

    • Epenetus was the first believer in Asia (v.5)

    • Andronicus and Junia were in prison with Paul (v.7)

    • Rufus’ mother was like a mother to Paul. (v.13)

    • Paul mentions people, households, and house churches.

    • Church is not just a place—it’s people who love and follow Jesus together. (v.16)

  • Kid Point: God’s church is a family where everyone matters, everyone serves, and we encourage one another in love. Fellowship is KEY in the Body!

Romans 16:17-20 And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. 19 But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

• V17-20 A Warning to the Church - Stay Wise and Guarding the Truth

  • Paul gives a warning about false teachers and reminds believers to stay strong in truth.

    • Be careful of people who cause division and confuse the body with bad teaching. (v.17)

    • False teachers may sound kind and convincing - BUT STAY AWAY! (v.18)

    • Paul says to be wise in what is good. Know the word of God to protect against these people. (v. 19)

    • When we avoid sin, the enemy has less power over us. Be innocent.

    • Paul reminds us that God will defeat Satan. The battle has already been won! (v.20)

    • No matter what, God is in control and will win.

  • Kid Point: When we know God’s truth, avoid evil, and stay alert, we can stand strong—because God has already won the victory.

Romans 16:21-27 Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.
22 I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord’s followers.
23 Gaius says hello to you. He is my host and also serves as host to the whole church. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you his greetings, and so does our brother Quartus.
25 Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. 26 But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. 27 All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.

• V21-27 God’s Message and Glory

  • Paul ends his letter by:

    • Sharing greetings from his friends

    • Reminding us God’s message is powerful

    • Explaining that the Gospel was once a mystery

    • Calling us to obey what we’ve learned

    • Giving all glory to God

  • 1. We Serve God Together (v.21)

    • Paul shares greetings from many people helping in ministry.

  • 2. God Makes Us Strong (v.25)

    • Paul reminds us that God is the one who strengthens us.

  • 3. God Revealed His Big Plan (v.25-26)

    • The full story of salvation was once hidden, but now it is revealed through Jesus!

    • This message is meant for all nations. (Jew and Gentiles)

  • 4. We Obey and Give God Glory (v.26-27)

    • Paul ends by pointing everything back to God.

    • Everything we do, everything we are is because of GOD!

  • Kid Point: God revealed His plan through Jesus for the whole world—and when we believe and obey Him, we give Him the glory He deserves.

Observation Questions (What did it say?)

1. Who are some of the people Paul mentions in this chapter? (Paul mentions many people like Phoebe, Priscilla, Aquila, Timothy, and others. )

2. What warning does Paul give about certain people? (He warns about people who cause division and teach things against God’s truth. v. 17-18)

3. What does Paul say God is able to do? (God is able to strengthen and establish believers through the Gospel. v.25)

Understanding Questions (What does it mean?)

1. Why does Paul include so many names in this chapter? (It shows that ministry is done in community and that Paul cared deeply for people. 31 names to be exact.)

2. Why is it important to avoid false teachers? (Because they lead people away from truth and harm the church. v.18)

3. What does Paul mean by calling the Gospel a “plan kept secret”? (It means God’s plan was hidden before but is now revealed through Jesus. v.25-26)

Application Questions (What should I do?)

1. How can you be a helper in God’s work like the people Paul mentioned? (By serving others, encouraging believers, and helping share the Gospel. v.1-2)

2. What should you do if you hear teaching that doesn’t match the Bible? (Be careful, avoid it, and stay grounded in God’s truth. v.17)

3. How can you give glory to God in your daily life? (By obeying Him, trusting Him, and pointing others to Him. v.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 uses many people to do His work (Romans 16).

• Encouraging others is important (Romans 16:2).

• We should be careful of wrong teaching  (Romans 16:17).

• God makes us strong in our faith (Romans 16:25).

• Everything we do should bring glory to God  (Romans 16:27).

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.