August 14–20

Romans 7–16

“Overcome Evil with Good”

Only a few of the gospel principles in Romans 7–16 can be included in this outline, so don’t limit yourself to what is addressed here. Pay attention to the inspiration you receive as you study.

Record Your Impressions

As he opened his epistle to the Romans, Paul greeted Church members by calling them “beloved of God” who were “called to be saints.” He remarked that their “faith [was] spoken of throughout the whole world” (Romans 1:7–8). Even though Paul spent much of his epistle correcting false ideas and flawed behaviors, it seems he also wanted to assure these new Christian converts that they truly were Saints who were beloved of God. His tender counsel blesses all of us who struggle to feel God’s love and for whom becoming a Saint may feel out of reach. With humble empathy, Paul acknowledged that he had felt like a “wretched man” at times (Romans 7:24), but the gospel of Jesus Christ had given him power to overcome sin (see Joseph Smith Translation, Romans 7:22–27 [in the Bible appendix]). With that power, the Savior’s redeeming power, we can “overcome evil”—both evil in the world and evil in ourselves—“with good” (Romans 12:21).

Ideas for Personal Scripture Study

Romans 7–8

Those who follow the Spirit can become “joint-heirs with Christ.”

Even after entering into “newness of life” through the ordinance of baptism (Romans 6:4), perhaps you have felt some of the inner conflict Paul described in Romans 7—the “warring” between the natural man and your righteous desires (Romans 7:23). But Paul also spoke of hope in Romans 8:23–25. What reasons for this hope do you find in chapter 8? You might also look for blessings that come from having “the Spirit of God dwell in you” (Romans 8:9). How can you seek the companionship of the Holy Ghost more fully in your life?

Romans 8:16–39

The gift of eternal glory far outweighs my trials on earth.

Just a few years after Paul wrote this epistle, the Saints in Rome suffered horrific persecutions. What do you find in Romans 8:16–39 that might have helped these Saints when persecution came? How might these words apply to you and the trials you currently face?

Look for connections between these verses and this counsel from Sister Linda S. Reeves: “I do not know why we have the many trials that we have, but it is my personal feeling that the reward is so great, so eternal and everlasting, so joyful and beyond our understanding that in that day of reward, we may feel to say to our merciful, loving Father, ‘Was that all that was required?’ I believe that if we could daily remember and recognize the depth of that love our Heavenly Father and our Savior have for us, we would be willing to do anything to be back in Their presence again, surrounded by Their love eternally. What will it matter … what we suffered here if, in the end, those trials are the very things which qualify us for eternal life and exaltation in the kingdom of God with our Father and Savior?” (“Worthy of Our Promised Blessings,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 11). Decide what you will do to “daily remember and recognize” God’s love for you.

Romans 8:29–30; 9–11

What did Paul mean by “predestinate,” “election,” and “foreknow”?

Paul used the terms “predestinate,” “election,” and “foreknow” to teach that before this life, God chose some of His children to be part of Israel, His covenant people. This meant they would receive special blessings and responsibilities so they could bless all the people of the world (see Guide to the Scriptures, “Election,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org). However, Paul emphasized in Romans 9–11 that all of God’s children can become His covenant people, and we all receive eternal life the same way—through faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to His commandments.

See also Ephesians 1:3–4; 1 Peter 1:2; Alma 13:1–5; Gospel Topics, “Foreordination,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

Romans 12–16

Paul invites me to become a true Saint and follower of Jesus Christ.

The last five chapters of Romans contain dozens of specific instructions about living as Saints. One way to study these instructions is to look for topics that are repeated. How would you summarize Paul’s counsel?

You may not be able to apply all of this counsel at once, but the Spirit can help you find one or two principles you could start working on today. Share your desires with your Heavenly Father in prayer, and ask for His help.

Ideas for Family Scripture Study and Home Evening

Romans 8:31–39.What do we find in Romans 8:31–39 that teaches how Heavenly Father and Jesus feel about us? When have we felt God’s love?

To illustrate verses 38–39, family members could find examples of things that, like us and God’s love, cannot be separated.

Elder Wilford W. Andersen taught, “The music of the gospel is [a] joyful spiritual feeling.”

Romans 9:31–32.Elder Wilford W. Andersen’s message “The Music of the Gospel” (Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 54–56; see also the video on ChurchofJesusChrist.org) can help illustrate what Paul teaches about the law, works, and faith. After discussing his talk, your family could try to dance with and without music. How can faith help us experience the joy of the gospel?

Romans 10:17.Label several glasses of water with sources of the word of God (like the scriptures, personal revelation, and general conference). Discuss how the word of God increases our faith as you pour each glass into a container labeled “Faith.”

Romans 12.What does it mean to make ourselves “a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God”? (verse 1).

Romans 14:13–21.Your family might benefit from studying Paul’s counsel about judging and arguing over personal preferences. Perhaps you could discuss appropriate ways to respond when other people, including family members, make choices that differ from yours. How can we “follow after the things which make for peace”? (verse 19).

For more ideas for teaching children, see this week’s outline in Come, Follow Me—For Primary.

Suggested song: “I Feel My Savior’s Love,” Children’s Songbook, 74–75.

Improving Our Teaching

Let children express their creativity. “When you invite children to create something related to a gospel principle, you help them better understand the principle. … Allow them to build, draw, color, write, and create” (Teaching in the Savior’s Way, 25).

Abide with Me, by Del Parson