The Big Picture of Romans — A Road Map Through the Letter

A modern day picture of one of the many still existing Roman roads.

Suggested reading: Romans 1:16–17

Romans can feel like a dense forest. It helps to step back and see the trail before we walk it verse by verse. Here's a simple road map you can keep in your Bible as we go through the series.

The theme: Romans 1:16–17

If you memorize one passage from Romans, make it this one. Paul says he is not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, Jew and Gentile alike. In it, the righteousness of God is revealed, and "the righteous will live by faith" (Romans 1:17, quoting Habakkuk 2:4).

Everything else in the letter unpacks those two verses.

The four movements of Romans

1. The bad news: everyone needs saving (1:18–3:20). Paul shows that the whole world stands guilty before God. Gentiles have rejected what they know of God through creation. Jews have God's law but have not kept it. The verdict: all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

2. The good news: right with God by faith (3:21–8:39). God provides what we could never earn. We are justified freely by his grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24). Abraham is Exhibit A: he believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness (Romans 4:3). The result is peace with God (Romans 5:1).

3. The faithful God: what about Israel? (9:1–11:36). If God's promises were made to Israel, and many Jews rejected Jesus, has God failed? Paul answers no. God is sovereign, merciful and faithful to his word, and his plan for both Israel and the nations will end in praise (Romans 11:33–36).

4. The changed life: living it out (12:1–16:27). Because of God's mercies, we offer our whole selves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1). Paul applies the gospel to love, church life, government, conscience and unity. He closes with travel plans and warm greetings to friends in Rome.

The Romans Road

Many believers first met Jesus through a handful of verses from this letter, often called the Romans Road. It's a simple way to share the gospel:

• Romans 3:23 — Everyone has sinned.

• Romans 6:23 — The wages of sin is death, but God's gift is eternal life in Christ.

• Romans 5:8 — God proved his love by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

• Romans 10:9–10 — If you confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

• Romans 10:13 — Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

How to get the most from this series

• Read ahead. Read the passage for each Sunday a few days early.

• Read it in big chunks too. Romans was written to be heard in one sitting. Try reading the whole letter in about an hour.

• Watch for the "therefores." Paul builds one argument on another. When you see "therefore" (5:1, 8:1, 12:1), ask what it's there for.

• Ask what it means for you. Romans is deep theology, but it was written for real people to live by.

The letter starts with the gospel and ends with worship (Romans 16:25–27). Our prayer is that this series will do the same in us.

Join us Sunday at Harvest Community Church as we continue our journey through Romans.