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True Jew vv. 17 - 20 1. What is a Jew? What were his standards? 2. What does it mean to "rely"? 3. What is the "good" Jew's attitude toward Gentiles? 4. How did having the Law affect the Jews' attitude? 5. How does Paul point out their faults? 6. Describe the law as Paul sees it. 7. What are the purposes and effects of the law? Hypocrisy and the Failure of the Law vv. 21 - 24 1. Why would the A. Paul say these things in .21-24? 2. What does it mean to be "blasphemed"? 3. How could such a situation be brought about? 4. How can righteousness be attained by obedience to the Law? Why? Circumcision of the Heart vv. 25 - 29 1. What is circumcision for the Jew? See Genesis 17:10-14. 2. What is the value/purpose of circumcision? How about baptism? 3. In .27, how was the Gentile going to see the Jew in regards to circumcision? Relate to v.24. 4. Discuss the relationship between a person's actions with inner realities v. 28. 5. Even in the OT, was circumcision intended to be merely outward? See Deut 10:16, 30:6; Ezek. 44:7 6. Relate to v.20 What does embodiment mean? 7. Who then is the true Jew? 8. Contrast the relationship a believer has with Jesus and the devotion of the religious. 9. Compare the work of the Spirit and the pressure of the written code. 10. What values are brought about by the circumcision of the heart? 11. How does a relationship with God affect a believers regard for men's approval? Main Lesson: Memory Verse Romans 2:28-89 (NIV) 28 A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God. |