Foundations of Faith
Foundations of Faith :: Romans 1:8-17 :: Chris Meade :: Feb. 15, 2026
Paul longs to visit the believers in Rome because he knows the gospel is not advice but the very power of God for salvation—bringing forgiveness, restoration, and transformation to anyone who believes. Having personally experienced the life-changing power of Jesus—from persecutor of the church to preacher of Christ—Paul lives unashamed and boldly proclaims that Christ’s victory over sin and death is available to all. The same gospel that changed Paul frees us from shame and empowers us to live confidently and publicly for Jesus.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Where did the Holy Spirit speak or challenge you through God’s Word? Were there any “ah-ah” moments?
2. Heart Check: What is Your Identity?
o When have you experienced the freedom of being fully known and fully loved?
o How does that reflect the way Jesus receives you?
3. Read Romans 1:8-17
o Are there specific environments (workplace, family gatherings, friendships) where you tend to shrink your faith into “…jesus…” instead of living boldly as “JESUS!”? What fears are driving that response?
4. The gospel is POWER!
o How does remembering that the gospel is the power of God—not just good advice—change your confidence in sharing it?
o What transformation can you point to and celebrate in your own life that demonstrates the power of the gospel? (Take time to thank God specifically for those changes.)
5. Unashamed:
o What is one practical way you can live unashamed this week?
o Who has God placed on your heart, like Rome was on Paul’s heart? How can you intentionally pray for, encourage, or spiritually strengthen them this week?
Foundations of Faith
Foundations of Faith | Romans 1:1-7 | Chris Meade | February 8, 2026
This opening message in Romans invites us to examine how we define and present our identity, using Paul’s introduction in Romans 1 to show that who we belong to matters more than what we do or what we’ve achieved. Paul identifies himself first as a bondservant—one who willingly belongs to and lives under the authority of Jesus—because he knows he has been purchased by Christ’s sacrifice. From that identity flows his calling, purpose, and mission. The gospel Paul proclaims is not new or merely personal, but rooted in God’s long redemptive story revealed through Scripture and fulfilled in Jesus. As believers, we are reminded that our deepest identity is that we belong to Jesus, are loved by God, and are set apart by grace to live in obedience that flows from faith, shaping how we think, love, and live in the world.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1. Where did the Holy Spirit speak or challenge you through God’s Word? Were there any “ah-ah” moments?
2. Heart Check: What is Your Identity? Read Romans 1:1-7
o When you introduce yourself to others—formally or informally—what do you tend to lead with? Accomplishments, roles, interests, failures, or relationships?
o Where are you most tempted to find your worth outside of Christ right now? Career success, family roles, reputation, independence, spiritual performance, or even what you are not anymore?
3. Paul introduces himself first as “a servant (doulos) of Christ Jesus.”
o What emotions or resistance surface when you think about describing yourself as someone who belongs to Jesus rather than someone who is self-directed?
4. Paul willingly places himself under Jesus’ authority because he knows he has been bought at a price. What would it practically look like this week to live as though your time, decisions, money, and relationships belong to Jesus?
5. The gospel Paul proclaims is not just personal—it is historical, communal, and rooted in God’s long redemptive story.
How does knowing your faith is part of something ancient, global, and ongoing shape how you see the Church and your role within it?
6. If your “bio” were rewritten today with Jesus as the first defining line, how might it change the way you think, love, and live?
o Take time to rewrite your bio—write down your life as a follower of Jesus first, and then the priorities of your life that follow. What is the order of your other roles and identities?
o What might need to shift so that following Jesus truly shapes everything that follows?