Romans 7 Bible study guide: The Good Law and the Divided Self

Open with

Have you ever known exactly what you should do and still not done it?

Read together

Romans 7:1-13, then Romans 7:14-25. If you are leading, read the plain-words note on Romans 7 first (linked below).

Discussion questions

1. In verses 1 to 4 Paul uses marriage as a picture of being freed from the law to belong to Jesus. What does it mean to "belong to another"?

2. Paul insists "the law is holy" (v. 12), yet sin used it to stir up wrong desires. Have you ever wanted something more because you were told not to?

3. Verse 15: "For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do." Where do you relate to this most?

4. Christians disagree about whether Paul is describing his life as a believer or before he knew Jesus. Does it change how you read the chapter? Why?

5. Verse 24 cries out, "What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me?" Why is it important to admit we can't fix ourselves?

6. Verse 25 answers, "Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!" How can thankfulness change the way we handle our struggles?

For our lives this week

Be honest with God about one struggle this week. Don't hide it or excuse it. Bring it to him, like Paul does in verse 24.

Close in prayer

Thank God that rescue comes from Jesus, not from trying harder. Ask for help in the struggles you named today.

Leader tip

This chapter often brings honest confessions. Make sure the group knows what is shared stays in the group, and end with the hope of verse 25 and chapter 8.