Christ is risen from the dead. It's the eternal game changer. It means that whenever we approach God in faith, we always expect the same thing over and over again: grace. And the crazy good news is, anyone can get in on this. Who is this grace for? Anyone who would believe. 

Romans 3:21-26

The Righteousness of God Through Faith

21 But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

For Adult Homes and Groups

1. Read Romans 3:21-26 together.

2. What’s familiar about this passage? What’s something new that stuck out to you in this section of Romans?

3. Since verse 24 says we are justified “freely” (as a gift) by grace, why is it often harder for us to accept a free gift than to work for it?

4. Verse 22 states righteousness comes through faith, “to all who believe.” In what areas of your life are you still trying to be “good enough” for God, rather than relying on His righteousness?

5. What does it look like in your daily life to trust that your faith is enough, rather than relying on your accomplishments or religious routines?

6. Take time to encourage, pray over one another, and ask the Holy Spirit to pour His assurance into each other’s hearts and minds.

For Families with Kids

1. Read Romans 3:21-26 out loud together.

2. According to vv22-23, what is the only thing that separates people, and what is the one thing they all have in common?

3. If salvation is a free gift, why do people often try to earn it by being “good enough”? How does this gift change how we look at our own mistakes?

4. If faith is “enough,” does that mean we just do whatever we want? How does trusting in Jesus’ work on the cross help us follow Him more than just trying to follow rules?

5. Give everyone a piece of paper and ask them to write down something they feel they “must do” to be a good person. Then, read Romans 3:24 together and cross out those items, writing “PAID BY JESUS” in large letters over the top to visualize that faith in His work is what truly counts.