Outlining Romans 1 and Feeling Vulnerable

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It’s exciting to hear how many of us are reading through Romans together this month! Early morning moments over coffee or lunch breaks….we’re putting God’s Word as a priority.


Today I’m going to share what I’ve learned as well as one way I study the Bible. I prefer to type my thoughts out. Part of me misses writing it in my journal but honestly my thoughts are all over the place and I can type and add things quickly on my computer.


I read through a paragraph (knowing the context of the rest of the book) and outline it. I then go back and fill in my thoughts, questions and things I want to study more underneath. Here’s a peek at my (not-edited) notes and how I outline. Romans 1:8-12 ~ (Paul speaking to church in Rome)

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you. People all over the world are talking about your faith. I serve God with my whole heart. I preach the good news about his Son. God knows that I always remember you in my prayers. I pray that now at last it may be God’s plan to open the way for me to visit you. I long to see you. I want to make you strong by giving you a gift from the Holy Spirit. I want us to cheer each other up by sharing our faith.

• Thank God
• This allows us to see the eternal picture, God’s the One who deserves our praise and is in control.
• Do I thank God for the many things in my life?
• Psalms of thanksgiving.
• People notice and see the difference in you & will talk about it.
• An exciting and scary thing! Every move we make is noticed by our family, friends and even those we think of as strangers. They read the things we write, they stand behind us in grocery stores and are watching what we do. Are we allowing Christ to rule in our hearts and change us from the inside out? Do people see Jesus in me? What are the words people choose to say about me? If I’m following God then I shouldn’t worry about it for my significance since that comes from Christ. I do want to bring Glory to God though. (Maybe a future post?)
• Serve God with whole heart
• Do I truly give 100% or do I give my leftovers to God?
• I looked up the NASB version of Romans 1:9 and it says “For God, whom I serve in my spirit…” The word spirit (pneuma in the greek) in that context means character. Hmm….it’s not just about the act of serving?
• Share about Jesus
• Not only are people watching me, but it’s my joy and responsibility to share what Jesus has done in my life. (It doesn’t mean cram it down their throats, but I do think this is another different statement than above. People do see, but how will they understand what the difference is or hear what Jesus has done if we don’t step up and share in moments in our relationships.)
• Am I sharing Jesus with those around me or standing back in fear? Am I using my blog to say that I’m sharing Jesus, but not investing in my neighbors?
• Pray
• Paul’s praying to be able to see them again. He’s praying.
• Grateful to be able to pray. Need to more and more for my daily decisions. Need to listen and follow where God leads me in these moments.
• Recognize the Power of the Holy Spirit
• Finish reading Francis Chan’s book Forgotten God which deals with this.
• Encourage
• Paul wants to be with the church in Rome so they can encourage each other. I love that picture. I think sometimes we think people in leadership need to encourage us, but what about the other way? Do I encourage those who teach and lead me?

It’s scary to read through and see how many times I switch tense and I’m going to hit “publish” and share these things with all of you. There’s a million things on my heart and mind that spills out. At this point it can all seem overwhelming, but then I remember that it’s not in my own strength that I can change.

What’s one thing that has stood out to you in Romans?

Put yourself out there and share with all of us.

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Related posts:

1. Romans 1
2. Illuminate Challenge: Romans
3. Is Love More Than a Feeling?