Bible Study Snacks, Romans 11:11-24

Hi, everyone!

Thank you so much for joining me as we continue our journey through the Book of Romans. I hope that all is well in your life! This week, we will be studying Chapter 11, verses 11-24. It is my most sincere hope that you'll find these Bible Study Snacks helpful and spiritually enlightening in your walk with God.

This week in summary...

Paul magnifies his ministry to the Gentiles, hoping to save some of his countrymen by provoking them to jealousy. Paul then directs his attention to the Gentile believers, explaining that their obedience allowed them to be "grafted" into Israel to replace those removed by their own disobedience. This "grafting," however, is permanent only as long as they remain faithful. In addition, if any Israelites repent of their unbelief, they too can be grafted back in.

Let’s pray:

Heavenly father, please guide us as we study your Word today; I pray that our hearts and our minds will be open so that we will not only receive your Gospel, but learn from it as well; you are the Light of the world, Lord, and your Spirit will illuminate our path as we journey through your teachings. In the name of Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior. Amen.

Carefully read through Romans 11:11-24. Here again, I must stress the word “carefully” because if you aren’t “careful” you will miss Paul’s point. Let Paul speak to you through his writings as if he were right there with you, sharing his story in person.

This week’s study questions:

1. Who is it that stumbled (Romans 11:11)?
2. What is the difference between stumbling and falling (Romans 11:11)?
3. So then, did Israel ‘fall’ (Romans 11:11)?
4. How is it that pagans, called Gentiles, were given the opportunity to believe (Romans 11:11-12)?
5. What does the last phrase in verse 12 mean? Finish this statement: If God was to use Israel’s sin and failures to bring blessings to the whole world, He will _________when the Israelites obey.
6. What did Israel’s rejection of the Messiah bring to the world (Romans 11:15)?
7. Paul as the apostle to the Gentiles wanted his ministry to have an impact upon his fellow Israelites. How did he hope this might work out (Romans 11:13-14)?
8. What sign of hope for the Jewish nation do we have from Paul in Romans 11:15?
9. Simply share the meaning of this truth through the two illustrations in Romans 11:16.
10. Paul takes the later illustration of verse 16 and enlarges upon it. Write down both the literal meaning (Romans 11:17) and the spiritual meaning (Romans 11:17-18) of this illustration.
11. Who is Paul warning in verse 18?
12. What is the warning (Romans 11:18)?
13. Why is it that the Gentiles (the branches) might become prideful (Romans 11:19-21)?
14. List two attributes of God from verse 22: ____________ and _____________.
15. Who does God treat severely (Romans 11:22)?
16. Who does God treat kindly (Romans 11:22)?
17. Is God able to treat kindly those He has dealt severely with (Romans 11:23-24)?
18. Does the illustration of the olive tree differentiate the church and Israel as two different peoples with whom God deals or one? Is the church here considered part of the true Israel?

Finally, after answering the study questions, re-read Romans Romans 11:11-24. Take your time and read each question and verse as many times as you feel necessary. Keep in mind that by doing this, you might see something new that you overlooked the first time around.

As we journey through our studies together, I will continue to pray that God’s message will come through to you loud and crystal clear. Until next time, I wish everyone a blessed week!

God bless you!

Sheri