Paul’s answer to the question is simple. By faith.

In verse 3, Paul quotes Genesis 15:6, saying “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness.” Paul connects Abraham’s faith with his salvation. How have you thought about salvation in the Old Testament? How does this verse confirm that Abraham was saved by faith?

Paul then distinguishes between the outcomes of faith and works. When we work, we receive a wage. Our bosses are obligated to pay us because we have earned it. But God is not obligated to give us a gift and you cannot earn what is freely given. You can only receive it. In what ways is it tempting to think that we still have to earn God’s love and favor, even after becoming a Christian? What do you think would change in your own life if you rested in the unearned gift of grace?

Paul references another Old Testament Scripture in verses 6–8 to further argue his point, this time quoting David in Psalm 32.  What stands out to you from verses 7–8? How could this passage encourage you when you are doubting your faith?

In verse 9, Paul returns to Genesis 15:6 to remind us of Abraham’s faith. He addresses a second question concerning Abraham: “When was he saved?” Was it before he was circumcised or after? How does Paul answer this question in verse 10?

Since Abraham was saved before the Jewish law was instituted, we can know that his righteousness came not as a reward for good works but as a gift of grace. His works were an overflow of his salvation, not the other way around. Why is it important to recognize that Abraham was saved before being circumcised? In what ways does it encourage you to know that God imparts his righteousness as a gift, not a reward?

In verse 16, Paul says that the promise of salvation by faith is guaranteed to all of Abraham’s descendants. The gift of grace wasn’t something just offered to Abraham—it is available to all of us. (v. 23–24) What difference does it make in your life to know that God’s promise is guaranteed despite our doubts and failures?

In what ways does it strengthen your faith to know that these words were written for you?

In verse 19, we learn a few incredible things about Abraham’s faith: “he did not weaken in the faith” (v. 19), “he did not waver in unbelief” (v. 20), and “he was fully convinced” (v. 21). In the face of tremendous odds, Abraham’s faith was strong. What odds have you faced that tested the limits of your faith? How did your faith respond? What words and phrases would you use to describe the strength of your faith during those challenges?

The final verse of Romans 4 is a good, brief summary of the gospel. The death of Jesus paid for our sin and his resurrection imparted his righteousness to us.  What does it look like for you to actively trust that this good news has been applied to you? What, if anything, might your life change practically if you placed your faith in Christ in every situation?

J.D. closed this session by encouraging us to “fully, entirely, and completely” lean on Christ—to be fully surrendered, without reservation. What areas of your life have you not fully surrendered to Jesus? What fears or concerns are keeping you from full surrender?

What can you do today to begin the process of surrendering those areas of your life to Jesus, holding nothing back from him?

Faith can easily be misunderstood. But as J.D. talked about in the video, faith—surrendered trust—is the very means through which salvation is granted. Faith is essential.

As we’ve learned throughout this study, salvation, the righteousness of God, justification, and redemption are all granted to us as a gift of God’s grace that we receive through faith. After we have surrendered to and begun to trust God, we are called to live as people of faith—people who trust God and the promises he’s made completely and surrender ourselves to him in all of our decisions and circumstances.

 This week, think about what you can do to build up your faith so it can be like Abraham’s.