Free group study handout
Romans 11: Group Study Handout
How to use: read Romans 11 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.
Overview
God did not reject his people, Israel. Paul argues that a remnant remains, chosen by grace (vv. 1-6).
Key verse
“For if the rejection of them is the reconciling of the world, what would their acceptance be, but life from the dead?”
Romans 11:15 (WEB)
Outline
- Romans 11:1–6 God's Remnant and Grace
- Romans 11:7–10 Israel's Stumbling and Hardening
- Romans 11:11–15 Salvation for the Gentiles
- Romans 11:16–24 The Olive Tree Metaphor
- Romans 11:25–32 The Mystery of Hardening
- Romans 11:33–36 God's Unsearchable Wisdom
Discussion questions
- In v5, what does Paul mean by a 'remnant according to the election of grace'?
- What does Paul cite in vv. 9-10 to describe Israel's condition?
- God's response in v4: how does the mention of 'seven thousand men' inform our understanding of Israel's situation?
- In v25, what does Paul mean by a 'partial hardening' of Israel?
- When have you felt like a 'wild olive' being grafted into a new community?
Go deeper
Passages that echo Romans 11: Romans 8, Colossians 1, Romans 9.
Before next time: read Romans 12.