Pax Romana
- Cornerstone Church
- Sep 26
- 3 min read
Rome, the center of power in the known world, is one in which no earthly faction can contend with its might. The Roman Empire stretched from the Persian Gulf to the Atlantic Ocean and from North Africa to modern-day Great Britain. Paul is writing to the church in Rome to clarify the Gospel and to create a staging ground for further missionary journeys to the West, namely Spain. The Book of Romans is about Gospel doctrine, and it is to a group of believers who had not received any instruction from another apostle. This letter focuses on what Christ’s sacrifice means for Gentiles, Jews, and the whole world as it relates to sin, righteousness, eternity, and the unity of the Church. Chapters 1-4 focus on God’s righteousness and Chapters 5-8 on Christian’s new humanity in Christ. That is the Big Picture.
Each week, as you take in the Bible, find some friends to talk it out. You can follow this simple guide to help. First, R.E.A.D. and P.R.A.Y. on your own. Then, meet with friends to share what you've learned.
R - Repeated words
E - Examine and mark
A - Ask what you learn about God
D - Do if there is anything to do
P - Praise
R - Repent
A - Ask
Week 40
Bible Reading Plan
Daily Prayer Plan
START IT.
We're reading the Bible together in 2025 to see how Love Shows Up from the Old Testament and into the New Testament. How do we understand so many stories and lessons through the entire Bible while trying to stick to the "sacred timeline"? The answer is the big picture. If we get the big picture, we get the story the Bible is trying to tell. From Sunday's message or The Big Picture Bible Reading Plan this week in the book of Romans, what is impacting you the most? How has praying daily through the Psalms impacted you? Was there a word, phrase, Bible verse, or theme that impacted you?
R.E.A.D. - Repeated words. Examine & mark. Ask what I learn about God? Do.
STUDY IT.
Read Romans 2:5-8. How will God repay each person? Read Romans 2:15-16, 29. What is so important about the heart?
Read Romans 2:29, 4:11-13. What does circumcision of the heart mean?
Read Romans 6:1-2, 15-16. What is the reason Paul gives for not continuing in sin and abusing grace? Read Romans 6:17-18, 22-23. What are the results of the fruit of obeying from the heart (authentic belief in Christ)?
Read Romans 7:22-25. What is Paul’s desire as a redeemed person? What is Paul’s response to his ongoing battle with his lingering sin nature or flesh?
Read Romans 8:1-4. What is the message of the Gospel? Read Romans 8:15-19. What is the hope of the Gospel?
SHARE IT.
Read Romans 2:4. What led you to repentance? Read Titus 2:11-12. What is a Christian’s response to this kindness?
Read Romans 4:20-25. How is your faith today like Abraham’s faith?
Read Romans 6:19. How do you practically offer the parts of yourself as a slave to righteousness?
Read Romans 7:18-23. How have you seen Paul’s inner struggle in your own life? Read Galatians 6:7-10. How do Paul’s words to the Galatians apply to this inner struggle captured in Romans 7:18-23?
Read Romans Chapter 8. What is most encouraging to you in this chapter?
FINAL THOUGHT
The “Pax Romana” is Latin for the period of peace in the Roman Empire lasting approximately 200 years. This 200-year peace was from about 20BC to about 180AD. This led to the ability for the church to flourish and spread in a world of Roman roads and security. Now that does not mean that the Roman world was all bubble gum and rainbows. There was severe brutality that included the death of our Lord at the hands of the Romans and Jewish leaders by crucifixion. God’s sovereignty included both the Pax Romana and the crucifixion so that both Jew and Gentile could have eternal peace with God. No matter the strength of the Roman Empire, it fell. The United States of America will fall. Satan’s kingdom on earth will end. God’s Kingdom will one day have peace forever in a new heaven and earth. That is your great hope today. Continue in not offering any part of yourself to sin (Romans 6:12-14), and “love His appearing” or expectantly wait for Christ’s second coming today, tomorrow, and the next day until Christ returns (2 Timothy 4:8).