A 6-Week Bible Study

Dead to Rights

Caught. Convicted. Freed. — A Journey Through the Book of Romans
Project 33 Ministry

The Book of Romans catches every one of us dead to rights — no loopholes, no grading on a curve, no exceptions. Jew, Gentile, church kid, black sheep. Guilty across the board.

But the same God who delivers the verdict pays the sentence. Over six weeks, we'll walk through Paul's most explosive letter — the one that dismantles every religious scoreboard and replaces it with a grace so reckless it offended the rule-keepers then, and it still does now.

"Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." — Romans 8:1

Week 1
Caught Dead to Rights
Romans 1:1–3:20
Introduction
  • Paul's greeting, the gospel defined, and the theme of Romans (Rom 1:1-17)
Sin — The "Need" for Salvation
  • The need of the Gentiles — God's wrath against unrighteousness (Rom 1:18–2:16)
  • The need of the Jews — possession of the Law is not enough (Rom 2:17–3:8)
  • The universal need — all have sinned (Rom 3:9-20)
Central question: If everyone — Jew and Gentile alike — stands guilty before God, where can righteousness be found?
Week 2
The Verdict Overturned
Romans 3:21–4:25
Righteousness Through Faith
  • God's righteousness revealed apart from the Law — justification as a gift through faith (Rom 3:21-31)
Abraham as the Example
  • Abraham justified by faith, not works (Rom 4:1-12)
  • The promise realized through faith, not Law (Rom 4:13-25)
Central question: How does Abraham's story prove that justification by faith was always God's plan — and what does that mean for us?
Week 3
Freed on All Counts
Romans 5:1–8:39
Four Freedoms in Christ
  • Freedom from wrath — peace with God and the hope of glory (Rom 5:1-21)
  • Freedom from sin — dead to sin, alive to God (Rom 6:1-23)
  • Freedom from the Law — released to serve in the Spirit (Rom 7:1-25)
  • Freedom from death — life in the Spirit and the assurance of God's love (Rom 8:1-39)
Central question: If we are justified, what tangible difference does it make? What are we freed from — and freed for?
Week 4
No Partiality in the Courtroom
Romans 9:1–11:36
God's Sovereign Choice
  • God chooses to save believers — His sovereign mercy (Rom 9:1-33)
Israel's Stumbling
  • Israel chose to trust in their own righteousness rather than God's (Rom 10:1-21)
God's Faithfulness
  • Both Jew and Gentile can have salvation through faith — the olive tree (Rom 11:1-36)
Central question: Has God abandoned Israel? How do His promises to Israel and His offer to the Gentiles fit together?
Week 5
Living Like the Freed
Romans 12:1–13:14
In Relation to Overall Conduct
  • Living sacrifices — renewed minds, humble service, and genuine love (Rom 12:1-21)
In Relation to Civil Authority
  • Submission to governing authorities and the debt of love (Rom 13:1-7)
In Relation to Fellow Man
  • Love as the fulfillment of the Law — living in the light (Rom 13:8-14)
Central question: If the gospel transforms us, what should that transformation actually look like in daily life and relationships?
Week 6
One Flock, One Shepherd
Romans 14:1–16:27
In Relation to Weak Brethren
  • Accepting one another — matters of conscience and not causing a brother to stumble (Rom 14:1–15:13)
Concluding Remarks
  • Paul's ministry and travel plans (Rom 15:14-33)
  • Personal greetings, final warnings, and benediction (Rom 16:1-27)
Central question: How do we handle disagreements within the body of Christ while preserving unity and love?