The following assignments include various learning activities, such as questions, lists, essays, charts, comparisons, contrasts, and surveys. To receive credit for this lesson, you must complete the number of assignments indicated below and submit them to your institute instructor or administrator. You may submit your work either electronically or on paper, handwritten or typed.
Each lesson should take approximately 60–90 minutes to complete, the same amount of time you would typically spend in a weekly institute class. Since reading the scripture block listed in the lesson heading is expected of all institute students prior to class, the estimated time for each assignment does not include the time you need to spend reading the scripture block.
Complete assignments 2, 5, and one of the remaining assignments:
1. Romans 1. The Gospel of Christ Is the Power of God unto Salvation
Read Romans 1:3–4; Luke 1:31–32; 3:23–31. Explain in writing how Jesus Christ is both the son of David and the Son of God. If the Lord is both heir to the king (David) and to God, then in what ways can the Lord rightfully reign? Being the son of David, He was mortal; being the Son of God, He was immortal. Read John 10:17–18 and explain why it was essential for the Savior of the world to be both mortal and immortal.
Read Romans 1:15–20 and answer the following questions in writing:
- How did Paul feel about the gospel?
- In what ways can you show you are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Read Romans 1:21–32. Then respond to the following items:
- Make a list of the people’s sins by using the verses and the footnotes.
- Place a checkmark next to the sins on your list that are still a problem today.
- What reasons were given for why people commit these sins?
- What does it mean in verse 25 when Paul said that people “worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator”?
2. Romans 2–5. Faith, Grace, and Works
Read the institute student manual commentaries that summarize the relationship between faith, grace, and works: “What Are Some of the Significant Contributions of Romans?” (p. 316); Romans 3:1–31, “Man Must Be Justified by Grace” (p. 319); Romans 4:4, “Eternal Life—a Gift or a Wage?” (pp. 319–20); Points to Ponder, “Man Is Justified by Faith Through the Grace of God” (pp.
320–23). Then read the Bible Dictionary entry “Grace” (p. 697).
Faith, grace, and good works all play a part in our salvation. As you read Romans 2–5, fill in the following chart with statements from the verses that help you understand these topics; be sure to record the verses where you found your responses:
Why do you think Paul chose Abraham as a model of faith? (see Romans 4:17–25).
How does Romans 4:19–22 apply to your life?
Read Romans 5:12–14. In what ways did Adam’s Fall affect each of us? How did Paul answer the question of why a Savior is needed for all mankind?
Considering what you have studied about faith, grace, and good works, why is 2 Nephi 25:23 so helpful in understanding their relationship?
3. Romans 6. Baptism
Read Romans 6:1–13 and answer the following questions in writing:
- What must be done with sin before baptism can occur?
- What events from Christ’s life are symbolized in baptism?
- Considering this symbolism, why couldn’t someone be baptized by sprinkling?
- What do these verses teach us about how we can maintain the “newness of life”?
- According to Mosiah 3:19, what part of us would ideally die at baptism?
Study Romans 6:14–23. Write a paragraph that describes how we know whose servant we are. Then write a statement identifying the true source of freedom.
4. Romans 7–8. Christ Brings Life and Peace
Study Romans 7:1–8:13 and give particular attention to the various Joseph Smith Translation changes made in these verses. Then respond in writing to the following items:
- Who was symbolized by the husband and the wife in Romans 7:1–6?
- Briefly summarize the analogy Paul used with the husband and the wife.
- Paul posed an important question in Romans 7:24. How did Nephi respond to this thought in 2 Nephi 4:17–35?
- According to Romans 8:6, what leads to death and what leads to life and peace? How does
- relate to these verses? Think of one way you could be more spiritually minded. With this goal in mind, write a brief plan for how you will improve in this area.
5. Romans 8:13–39. Joint Heirs with Christ
Read Romans 8:13–18; Doctrine and Covenants 84:38; 132:19–21. Also read the student manual commentary for Romans 8:17, “What Does Paul Imply When He Says, ‘We Shall Be Joint-Heirs with Christ’?” (p. 326); Points to Ponder, “Men May Obey the Gospel and Become Like God the Father” (pp.326–27); Points to Ponder, “An Heir Is One Who Inherits” (p. 329).
- What is the dictionary definition for the word heir?
- From what you read and from Doctrine and Covenants 84:35–38, what will heirs of God receive?
- What additional understanding about this principle comes from Philippians 2:3–6?
- According to Mosiah 2:41, what blessings will we receive in mortality while we are striving to become worthy of receiving all that Heavenly Father has?
Identify in writing what help the Lord promises us in Romans 8:35–39. Write your testimony about a time in your life when you experienced this principle.