What we boast about indicates what we value most. As we have found out so far in our Romans series, all of us really have nothing to boast about when it comes to ourselves; we all fall short of God's glory (3:23). What, then, should we value most? What can we boast about? It's faith in Christ. This faith leads us to boast only about Jesus, belong to Him, and receive His benefits.

Romans 3:27 - 4:12

3:27 Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is He not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30 since God is one - who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31 Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

4 What then shall we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. 3 For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” 4 Now to the one who works, his wages are not counted as a gift but as his due. 5 And to the one who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted as righteousness, 6 just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works: 7 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; 8 blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” 9 Is this blessing then only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? For we say that faith was counted to Abraham as righteousness. 10 How then was it counted to him? Was it before or after he had been circumcised? It was not after, but before he was circumcised. 11 He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well, 12 and to make him the father of the circumcised who are not merely circumcised but who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

For Adult Homes & Groups

1. Read Romans 3:27 - 4:12 together.

2. What is something you accomplished that you were proud of at the time? What about it stirred up pride? Does the weight of that accomplishment still hold/carry for you today? Why or why not?

3. Are you guilty of trying to have a works-based faith, maybe even thinking that certain actions will compel God to see you more favorably (v. 4:1-3)? Think and reflect honestly, then share.

4. How are you personally letting your faith in Christ do the boasting? What changes do you need to make this week to draw your attention away from your works and instead focus all your attention on Christ’s work in you?

5. Take time to boast about how you see Jesus at work in each other.

For Families with Kids

1. Read Romans 4:4. What do you learn about works and credit? Fill in the blanks: “Now to the one who works, his wages are _______ counted as a _______ but as his ______________.” If you work for something, is your payment a gift? Or is it due to you because you earned it?

2. Read Romans 4:5. What happens to someone who doesn’t work, but believes in God? Fill in the blanks: “his _______ is_____________ as righteousness.”

3. We can’t work for God to save us; God the Son did all the work on the cross to save us. All He asks is that we trust in Him to be saved (faith). Pray and ask God to help your family rejoice in His saving work over you and respond in faith.