Illustrations from Romans
1310 illustrations referencing Romans
Thinking About Forgiveness - Church Context
Imagine a family gathered around a dinner table, laughter and chatter filling the air. But hidden beneath the surface, a quiet tension simmers. A long-held grudge between siblings threatens to spoil the joy. Then, one brave heart chooses to break...
Applying Justice - Teaching Material
When we reflect on Romans 8:28, we are reminded that "we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him." This is not a passive assurance; it calls us into action. It's an invitation...
Lessons from Mercy - Story
Maria sat alone on a weathered bench in Central Park, her heart heavy with the weight of recent loss. Just months before, she had been the vibrant center of her family, but the sudden passing of her sister left a...
When Humility - Contemporary Example
A few months ago, I met a young man named Alex at a community center where I volunteer. Alex was a bright, ambitious individual, but he was stuck in a cycle of self-doubt and frustration. He had dreams of starting...
Lessons from Kindness - Story
In a small town, there was a woman named Mary who had become a fixture at the local soup kitchen. Every Thursday, without fail, she would arrive early, armed with a smile that seemed to brighten even the gloomiest of...
Lessons from Courage - Story
Rebecca stood at the edge of her garden, trembling not from the chill of the morning air but from the weight of uncertainty that had become her daily companion. After a year of battling the shadows of depression, she had...
Evening Prayer: Wisdom - Biblical Insight
As the sun slips below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the landscape, take a moment to pause in the gentle embrace of evening. Picture the familiar scene of a parent tucking a child into bed, softly reading a...
Lessons from Courage - Contemporary Example
Rebecca stood at the edge of a vast field, the sun setting behind the hills, casting long shadows over the land. She had inherited her family's farm, a labor of love but also a burden. After the unexpected passing of...
Morning Meditation: Righteousness - Biblical Insight
Imagine waking up on a rainy morning, the kind where the clouds seem heavy, and the world feels a bit gray. As you sip your coffee, the silence of the house is punctuated only by the soft patter of raindrops...
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Romans 8:19-22
We read this passage as a declaration of creation's yearning for liberation, echoing our own historical cries for deliverance from bondage. Just as creation groans for the revelation of the children of God, we too groan under the weight of systemic oppression, longing for the full manifestation of o
Putting Into Practice: Joy - Teaching Material
When we stand on the promise of Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose,” we are reminded that joy is...
The Crisis & Hope Challenge
As we journey through a world filled with crisis and hope, we find ourselves standing on the shores of uncertainty, much like the Israelites at the Red Sea. Imagine the scene: a vast, roaring ocean in front of them, the...
The Power of Mercy - Story
A few years ago, I met a woman named Sarah at a community outreach event. She had walked a long and painful road. Years of addiction and broken relationships had left deep scars on her soul. As we talked, I...
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Romans 8:19-22
In the Roman Catholic tradition, we read Romans 8:19-22 as a profound reflection on the eschatological hope that permeates all of creation. This passage speaks to the groaning of creation itself, eagerly awaiting the revelation of the children of God. We interpret this as an indication of the sacram
Living Out Patience - Contemporary Example
As we embrace the powerful truth of Romans 8:28, we are reminded that “all things work together for good for those who love God.” This profound promise encourages us to trust in God’s perfect timing, especially when our patience is...
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Romans 8:19-22
We read Romans 8:19-22 through the lens of the theology of the cross, recognizing that creation itself is subjected to futility, reflecting the deep corruption of sin. This passage is primarily Law, showing the groaning of creation under the weight of the Fall and the curse of sin. Yet, it also hint
Traditional Lens Commentary: Romans 12:14-21
We read this passage as a call to live out the transformative power of the gospel through practical acts of love and peace. Paul, under divine inspiration, instructs believers to bless those who persecute them, demonstrating the radical change that justification by faith brings to our relationships.
Quiet Time: Humility - Prayer
As we gather today, let us turn our hearts to the beauty of humility in our prayer life—a sacred space where we meet God and allow Him to reshape our very being. Paul writes in Romans 12:2, "Do not conform...
Living Out Love - Contemporary Example
The call in Romans 12:2 to not be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our minds is a profound invitation into a life characterized by love, humility, and perseverance. As we engage with the world around...
Quiet Time: Compassion - Story
Imagine a small, sunlit kitchen where a mother stirs a pot of soup, the warm aroma mingling with the laughter of children playing just outside the window. As she ladles the soup into bowls, she remembers the story her neighbor...
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Romans 12:14-21
In Romans 12:14-21, we read this passage as a call to live out our baptismal identity, understanding our actions through the lens of the Third Use of the Law. This section serves as guidance for the baptized community, reflecting how the justified sinner, empowered by the Holy Spirit, lives in the w
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Romans 12:14-21
In Romans 12:14-21, we read this passage as an exhortation to live out the implications of the gospel within the covenant community and the world. This section calls us to embody the ethic of the kingdom that has been inaugurated through Christ's redemptive work. As those who have been recipients of
Spiritual Insight: Courage - Story
The quiet moments of our lives often feel like a blank canvas, waiting for the brushstrokes of courage and patience to bring them to life. Picture a young woman, Sarah, standing on the precipice of a significant decision. She’s been...
Scriptural Insight: Faith - Application
As we reflect on Romans 12:2—“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”—we uncover profound layers of faith and purpose. Here, the Apostle Paul implores us to move beyond mere...