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Lesson 1 - Introduction |
03/30/2025 |
Mark Lanier |
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3-30-25 - Biblical-Literacy
Mark Lanier began a new series on Romans. Today’s focus merged how to study an Epistle and began an introduction into the book of Romans.
1. How to study Romans, an Epistle, in 8 basic steps.
Historical context
Literary context
Textual analysis
Paragraph exegesis
Theological analysis
Application
Mix-in others
Constant ongoing reflection
2. The occasion of the letter - Mark explains historical context that result in the church in Rome consisting of both Jewish and Gentile Christians with an appeal for unity.
3. The opening of Romans - Learn how Romans differs from Paul’s other epistles in his introduction which includes the author, recipients and a greeting.
Points for home
God works through history
Gospel is amazing news
You are loved, called, and forgiven |
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| 1636 |
Session 2 - The theme of the book of Romans |
04/06/2025 |
Mark Lanier |
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4-6-25 Biblical-Literacy
Mark taught the second lesson in Romans with an emphasis on the beginning verses of chapter one. Paul wrote Romans around 55AD. Mark breaks down the lessons:
Paul’s Salutation to the Romans
He is a servant of Jesus Christ.
Called to be an apostle to share the Gospel.
Grace and peace.
Paul’s Prayer
Thank God for the Romans’ faith and prays for their strength.
Paul’s Theme
Paul is not ashamed of the Gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is the power of God for salvation.
Mark will devote next Sunday’s lesson to expanding on Paul's theme.
Points for home:
There is a lot to be praying about in this world
Amazing news of the Gospel
That is worth singing about
Listen to Mark review lesson 1 and share insights into today’s lesson. Paul's opening shows his humility, love for God and the Romans, and his commitment to spreading the Gospel. |
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| 1637 |
Session 3 - Palm Sunday study of Romans 1:16-17. |
04/13/2025 |
Mark Lanier |
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04-13-25 Biblical Literacy
Marks continued the study of the book of Romans by focusing on Chapter 1 vs 16 & 17 and Paul and his family life long movements and the influence that each of the places he lived and the influences each location had on his life, his person and influences on his character.
God died for our sins. The most simple thing about the Gospel is Christ Died for our sins. The most profound thing about the Gospel is Christ died for our sins.
Paul grew up in Tarsus, which was a major intellectual center and traveled the area as a child and as a God- fearing adult. Those travels shaped his persona and his deep belief and praise for the Christ that he came to know beyond well.
Mark focused On:
The literary context of Romans 1:16-17
Dissecting Romans 1:16-17
The Impact of Romans 1:16-17
Good writing habits were discussed relative to the introduction content, omit needless words, brevity, completeness, conciseness, while focusing on each word.
The lesson continues with the techniques that are needed to deliver an argument that is clear and lucid, briefly set forth in a methodical way, and have the following qualities, brevity, completeness and conciseness.
Mark discusses, in detail, the use of the key words in Romans 1:16 & 17, Gospel, Power and Righteousness.
Get Ready for Easter Weekend;
“For the word of the Cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being Saved it is the POWER OF GOD” 1-Cor 1:18 |
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Session 4 - explore these critical teachings explained by Paul in Romans. |
04/27/2025 |
Mark Lanier |
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4-27-25 Biblical-Literacy
Mark continued the study of Romans with a focus on The Wrath of God. The lesson was divided to include:
Ancient Greco-Roman thought at the time of Paul’s writing the letter to the Romans
We naturally use our culture to understand the world around us.
They taught that moral blindness and error caused by the gods.
Paul can quote Greco-Roman philosophers who believed in many gods.
Contrast Paul’s text
People suppress the truth and not the gods.
The wrath of God is true, genuine, without excuse, and there is cause and effect.
Root cause is rebellion against God.
Points for home
God longs for our redemption.
Awesome power of God.
Listen to Mark show how Paul was informed about and contrasted ancient culture with the truth of the Gospel: death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. Paul is not
ashamed of the Gospel. It brings the power of salvation and righteousness |
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| 1639 |
Session 5 - In Romans, looking at some fundamental truths about God and justice. |
05/04/2025 |
Mark Lanier |
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5-4-25 Biblical-Literacy
Mark continued a study of Romans with a focus on Chapter 2:1-11, highlighting God’s Principles of
Judgment. The lesson was divided to discuss:
1. Paul’s legal background as a Pharisee
-Jewish legal background. Had their own court system based on the Torah. The great Sanhedrin
was considered the Jewish Supreme Court.
-Roman background. Citizen of Rome granting Paul considerable rights in the Roman court and
recognized throughout the Roman Empire.
2. Romans 2:1-11 - Uses Legal Terms
-People have no excuse or defense for committing sin and wrong to judge others.
-God will dispense justice according to what they earned and render a verdict.
-God shows no partially. The righteousness of the Good News. The Gospel of death, burial, and resurrection.
3. Points for home
-I can’t judge anyone
-The Gospel is the power of God to save
Listen to Mark teach about Paul’s legal background, his knowledge of Roman and Jewish law, and those who influenced his life. Kindness, forbearance and patience rule the Christian life |
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Session 6 - What is the proper standard God would use if he was fairly assessing human behavior |
05/11/2025 |
Mark Lanier |
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05-11-25 Biblical-Literacy
Mark continued in the study of Romans with an exploration Romans 2:12 - 3:21.
Paul used his lawyer background consisting of a 3-pillar approach of persuasion: ethos, pathos, and logos to provide information to the Greco-Roman culture. His flow of logic included a power statement and logically or methodically based statements that were brief, complete, and concise to show God’s judgment.
Romans 2:12 - 3:21
All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory: without the law or under the law. No hope without God.
We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ and belief in the Gospel or the Good News.
Points for home:
There but for the grace of God go!
The Gospel is the power of God for salvation for those who believe.
Listen to Mark show how Paul used the art and science of persuasion to show how we are saved from God’s judgment. Praise to the Lord Almighty. |
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Session 7 - Mark continues in Romans |
05/18/2025 |
Mark Lanier |
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5/18/25 Biblical-Literacy
Mark continued in the book of Romans with insights into Romans Chapter 3:21-26 with an
exploration into the Greco Roman language vs English. He divided the lesson as follows:
1. Explore the word group
Ancient Greek origin of “dike” which means, right, justice, punishment.
Translated into English it uses various words from other language origins.
Paul is using one word that means various English meanings: courtroom verdict, covenantal
faithfulness, conforming behavior, or setting right what is wrong.
2. Work thru the passage
Greek concise argument of the power of the Gospel in saving sinful man.
The righteousness of God saves us. Dramatic intervention but not an afterthought.
Plan from the beginning.
God is: all the meanings of “dike."
3. Work thru the harmony with points for home
Can we talk about the awesomeness of God?
Can we talk about what He has done for us?
Who can refuse?
Learn from Mark’s study how the Greek translation of Paul’s letter has much deeper meaning to the
reader. God cares about justice, mercy, and paid the price for us as illustrated in the Gospel-death,
burial & resurrection of Jesus |
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| 1642 |
Session 8 - Romans; The “Gold” in Paul’s Words, Romans 3: 21-26 |
05/25/2025 |
Mark Lanier |
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5-25-25 Biblical-Literacy
Mark continued in the study of Romans with a focus on the “gold" in Paul’s words. This week Mark first provided some background and context, expanding on things shared from previous lessons, and then focused on Romans 3:21-26.
Background and context:
The Roman church was not full of lightweights.
Paul produces a masterpiece with rhetorical features.
Paul’s letters are longer than typical at the time. Powerful and detailed to an audience who were sophisticated in biblical matters.
Romans 3:21-26
But now: the righteousness of God has been manifested.
We have all sinned and are justified by faith as a gift.
Propitiation means to appease God’s wrath. Numerous references to the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant. Sin must be punished. We have redemption in Jesus.
Points for Home
Can we talk about the awesomeness of God?
Who can refuse?
Blessed, thankful, grateful.
Listen to Mark review the first three chapters of Romans, explain the tenses of Greek words that Paul used to show how the past influences the present. Righteousness looks to the past, applies to the present and the future. The cross is where God’s justice and mercy are validated |
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