Romans 9 is a text that challenges our understanding of God. There is no getting around the wrestling match that many people have experienced in this chapter of scripture. On Sunday, we remembered that Paul enters this chapter emotionally affected by the response of many of his contemporary Jews, but concerned to demonstrate that God’s word had not failed. In these verses he shows us that it is God’s prerogative to choose to save some and not others. We also saw that God’s bent toward mercy eliminates the idea of fairness from the conversation.

Read Romans 9:6-16

What stood out to you from this passage?

Read John 3:16 and 1 Timothy 2:1-6. How do you read Romans 9 in light of other passages like these?

Eric shared the illustration of a wealthy person giving a generous scholarship to a select group, or the adoption of one child from a full orphanage, or giving money to one homeless man, and asked, “Would anyone say that’s unfair?” How do you respond to Eric’s illustration?

Does the idea of God purpose in election (6:11) seem like a hopeful one or a discouraging one?

How does the idea of God’s sovereign choice give Paul confidence?

Close with prayer for friends and family who do not yet know Christ.