• Main Idea: When we believe and confess that Jesus is Lord and are saved, we assume the responsibility of sharing that good news with others.
• Head Change: To know that God has appointed us to spread the good news of the gospel to those who haven’t heard it.
• Heart Change: To feel compassion for those who have not heard and received the gospel.
• Life Change: To take the gospel to people who’ve never heard it, here and around the world.

What was the last piece of good news that you shared? On a scale from one to ten, how eager were you to share your good news?

Human beings are creatures that share. We share meals. We share our money. And we share the things that have captured our attention affections—both things of great significance and great insignificance.

But sharing the gospel? That can sometimes be more difficult for us. However, when we realize what’s at stake for those who do not hear or receive the gospel, we should be compelled to share it at all costs. In this session, J.D. will remind us that we have a critical role to play in taking the good news to people who’ve never heard it.

Read Romans 10:1–21.
Show Session 5: Romans 10:1–21 (12 minutes).

There is sometimes an assumption that specific theology can dampen our love for God fearing that to study God in an academic way, reading books and refining our theological language, we cause us to lose our zeal for God. On the other hand, there is a fear that expresing passion for God is a sign of ungrounded theology. We need both to ground our faith in understanding and to express our growing love for God. In what ways should a growing knowledge of God lead to a growing zeal for God? What habits and practices can we develop to grow in our knowledge and love for God?

Paul says the Israelites are “ignorant of the righteousness of God,” and, from their ignorance, are attempting to “establish their own righteousness.” Whenever someone is ignorant of what is right—whether with Israel then or with us now—it results in people inventing their own standard of goodness. This self-righteousness is a failure to submit to God’s righteousness. What are some of the ways that you attempt to establish your own righteousness?

In verse 4, Paul writes that “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” He has fulfilled the law on behalf of those who believe in him. In other words, we don’t have to live perfect lives to satisfy God. Jesus has done that for us. In what ways do we still try to earn God’s love with our own righteousness? In what ways does the gospel free us from the pressure of perfect performance? 

In verses 5–9, Paul contrasts the righteousness that comes from the law with the righteousness that comes from faith. One is a message of doing while the other is a message of believing and confessing. Paul concludes, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” In what ways is it good news that the path to righteousness depends on faith and not on “doing” or “earning”? 

Verses 9–10 present confession and belief as being inextricably linked to one another. In fact, Paul asserts that you can’t properly have one without the other: whatever is in our hearts will come out of our mouths. How would you describe the relationship between confession and belief? In what ways might the act of confession help spur you on to deeper faith in God?

Paul grounds his argument that righteousness comes through faith in the Old Testament. First, quoting Isaiah, he says “Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame,” or will not be humiliated or disappointed. Do you ever find yourself worrying that your belief isn’t enough? In what ways do Paul’s words here encourage you?

In verse 13, Paul goes one step further. Quoting the prophet Joel, he says “For everyone who calls on (i.e., proclaims, confesses) the name of the Lord will be saved.” So, not only will our belief not put us to shame, but the confession of our belief in Christ will result in our salvation. God offers us a secure salvation; all that’s required of us is to call on his name. How would you describe what it means to “call on the name of the Lord”?

When did you first call on the name of the Lord? What effect did that confession make on your life?

Beginning in verse 14, Paul gets on a roll and asks a series of rhetorical questions about coming to faith in Christ. First, he asks, “How can they call on him they have not believed in?” In other words, how can someone confess Christ if they don’t believe in him? Is belief in Christ necessary for someone to confess him as Lord? Why?

Paul continues: “And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher?” None of us came to Christ in a vacuum—someone courageously told us about Jesus.  How did you first hear about the good news of Jesus? Who told you about him?

In what ways have you carried forward the message of Jesus now that you’ve received the gospel?

In verse 15, Paul’s questions turn from emphasizing recipients of the gospel to those who are sent out to share the gospel. We are also sent out to preach the gospel. Why do we share the gospel with others? Who are the ones that are sent to spread the good news about Jesus?

In verse 17, Paul says, “So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the message about Christ.” Those who don’t know Jesus need to hear the good news about him. Who are you actively sharing the message about Christ with? How have they responded to the message?

At the end of chapter 10, Paul presents two different responses to the message about Christ. On one hand, some people find and receive Christ while others remain disobedient and defiant. To what extent have you encountered people who are eager to receive and believe the message about Christ? To what extent have you encountered those who are defiant and refuse to believe?

How do you respond when people reject the message you share with them? What do you do to maintain your motivation to continue sharing the good news?

Whether in our neighborhoods or in unreached places around the world, we have been called by God to take his message of good news to those who haven’t heard it. You have been sent to preach the gospel so that others might hear about Jesus and be saved. That is a great mission! What can you do this week to get the message of the gospel to those who’ve yet to receive it?

We all talk about the things we love. We love God, and talking about the gospel is more consequential than talking about our favorite new TV show. The gospel is the power of salvation (Romans 1:16). Therefore, we have a responsibility to share it with those who’ve not yet heard it. In fact, God has appointed us for this very work. Let’s commit ourselves today to being faithful messengers of God’s good news.