Preaching & Teaching Romans

Romans is one of those books for which preaching and teaching possibilities are endless. If proof of this is needed, just note the weekly expositions given by Martyn Llyod-Jones of the Westminster Chapel, London. He took his usually-packed audience every Friday night, beginning with Rom 3 in October 1955 though the book, chapter by chapter, passage by passage, until March 1968, when they reached Rom 14:17, with breaks only for Christmas and Easter. These were later published by the Banner of Truth Trust, and took up six wonderful volumes (which you can still buy). He went on later to do the same with the first three chapters of the letter.

True, most of us hardly come near Dr Lloyd-Jones both in our spiritial and intellectual stature, but it shows what can be done if one is prepared to put one's hand to the plough, so to speak. And, if we do not look to giants of our faith for models where else would we look? If you want a more manageable model, see the series of twelve studies by Romans 8 by Dr Derek Thomas (Ligonier Ministries). So imagine a four-week feast on Romans once every year—one sermon every Sunday for four weeks—followed, perhaps five months later, with another four-week feast on one of the Gospels, with the other ten months spread around the other books of the Bible will give your congregation a solid diet of pure spiritual goodness. Or a two-day weekend (public holidays) conference on Romans once every two years. No matter how it is scheduled, the book of Romans, properly done, never fails to invigorate. I gave never heard of anyone growing tired of Romans. But be warned: Romans, espeicially, requires you to work hard and prepare well.

I have added in an appendix of the outlines from the works of two master teachers-expositors on Romans. Adapt them to suit your needs for your congregation.

Low C.H.
©Alberith, 2021