Study Questions for September 27, 2027

For the Glory of God by Pastor Dale Beaver
Read Romans 16:17-27; Romans 5:1-2; 2 Timothy 4:14-17; and Ephesians 3:6.

1. Pastor Dale points out that Paul gives his "second and third goodbyes" in Romans 16, pausing right before the end to deliver a crucial warning. He notes that prevention via a warning is far better than a cure needed without one. Why do we often resist warnings until an "infection" or crisis hits, and how can a preventative mindset protect our spiritual lives?
2. Read Romans 16:17-20. The sermon emphasizes that the enemy’s primary weapon is not always obvious horror, but deception through "smooth talk and glowing words" that cause division and upset people's faith. How can subtle twists on truth be more dangerous to a church’s unity than outright external opposition?
3. Pastor Dale shares transparently about the universal human temptation—especially in careers or ministry—to want to appear "profound" or "distinctive" to secure our significance and standing. How can the drive to pursue novelty or get caught up in endless rabbit trails distract us from the core simplicity of the gospel?
4. The sermon references the classic hymn "Trust and Obey," reminding us that at the core of Christian growth is simple faith and obedience. Is there an area in your life where you have overcomplicated what God is asking of you instead of simply trusting and obeying His clear Word?
5. Read Romans 5:1-2. The sermon notes warn that "no sins are more dangerous than those accepted and celebrated by society". Why is it so easy for believers to gradually normalize cultural sins, and how does remembering our "undeserved privilege" in Christ keep us anchored in truth?
6. Read Romans 16:21-23. Paul lists several specific co-workers, including Erastus, the city treasurer. Pastor Dale highlights that an actual Latin inscription bearing Erastus’s name as a city official was discovered by archaeologists in Corinth in 1929. How does seeing the historical reality of biblical figures strengthen your confidence in the reliability of Scripture?
7. Read 2 Timothy 4:14-17. In contrast to the supportive team surrounding Paul in Romans 16, Paul recalls his trial before the judge where "everyone abandoned me". Yet he declares, "But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength". Have you ever experienced a season of isolation, and how did God demonstrate His personal presence with you?
8. Read Romans 16:25-27. Paul concludes this great letter with a doxology—praising the "only wise God" who establishes us according to the gospel. Why is it vital to remember that the ultimate goal of our salvation is not merely our own benefit, but God’s eternal glory?
9. Read Ephesians 3:6 and Romans 11:25. The "mystery" once kept secret but now revealed is that Gentiles and Jews share equally as one body in Christ. How does the gospel tear down racial, social, and cultural walls in a world that is deeply divided?
10. As Pastor Dale wraps up the series on Romans, he reminds us that Jesus is "the answer for every question you're asking" and that our ultimate response should always be worship. Looking back on the message of Romans, what key truth has most impacted your daily walk with Christ?
11. Close in Prayer: Praise the "only wise God" for the glorious gospel that saves, establishes, and unites us. Ask the Holy Spirit to guard your heart against deception, to keep you rooted in simple trust and obedience, and to empower you to live every day for His glory alone.

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Analogy for Understanding: Living for the glory of God through the pure gospel is like following a steady lighthouse beam through a foggy channel rather than chasing shiny, flashing lights along the shoreline. Deception rarely looks like an obvious shipwreck; it often arrives as smooth, "profound" novelties that tempt us to drift into division and speculation. True spiritual stability doesn't come from discovering new, complicated theories, but from staying anchored to the simple, proven message of Christ—trusting and obeying the One whose light guides us safely home for His eternal glory.