We compare and contrast things on a daily basis. We’ve heard many well-known comparisons: iPhone vs Android. Coke vs. Pepsi. Beach vs. Lake. Salty vs. Sweet. City vs. County. David vs. Goliath. When we make comparisons, we usually make a case for one thing being better than the other, but it is not always clear which is really better. In Romans 5:12-21 Paul is comparing and contrasting. This time, there is no doubt as to which one is better. 

Romans 5:12-21

Death in Adam, Life in Christ

12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned - 13 for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. 14 Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam, who was a type of the one who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through one man's trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift by the grace of that one man Jesus Christ abounded for many. 16 And the free gift is not like the result of that one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brought justification. 17 For if, because of one man's trespass, death reigned through that one man, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ. 18 Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men. 19 For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. 20 Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, 21 so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For Adult Homes & Groups

1. Have some fun together and make a list of all the compare/contrast statements you’ve heard or even made up yourself (e.g. sunrise vs. sunset). Go around the room and share your preference for each one. 

2. Read Romans 5:12-21. Make a list of the compare/contrast statements Paul makes for us. Which items on your list are better and why? Read 1 Corinthians 15:22-23; what is the effect of being in Adam vs. being in Christ?

3. Romans 5:19 mentions “the one man’s (Christ’s) obedience...”. What was Jesus’ obedience? (See Philippians 2:6-8 and Hebrews 10:4-7.)

4. In Romans 5:21, what does God want His grace to do in our lives? What difference does it make? What are our lives like outside of Christ vs being in Christ? Thank God for each person in your group!

For Families with Kids

1. Read Romans 5:12-21 together.

2. Make a compare/contrast list together as a family and have fun with it to see who prefers what (e.g. summer vs. winter). 

3. What is the compare/contrast list Paul makes for us? Which items are better and why?

4. Read Romans 5:21 and fill in the blanks.

    Sin reigned in _________

    Grace would reign in _______ to eternal _______ through _______

5. Find a video or play an instrument to the hymn Amazing Grace and sing along. Thank Jesus together as a family for His Amazing Grace!