“Romans 1–6,” New Testament Institute Teacher Manual (2025)
Romans 1–6
The Apostle Paul taught that all people need the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Through the Savior’s Atonement, we are justified, obtain remission of our sins, and receive salvation. Paul clarified that salvation comes through the Savior’s grace, not by the law of Moses. God’s grace does not condone sin, but it empowers us to overcome it. Baptism by immersion symbolizes our death to sin and our new life in Christ.
Additional Resources
Scripture Helps: New Testament, “Romans 1–6”
Note: The “Introduction to the Course” provides guidance on how to use the four standard lesson elements that follow.
Encouraging Personal Study
Before class, consider sending students one or more of the following messages or some of your own:
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Have you ever faced pressure or ridicule from others because you choose to follow Jesus Christ? Think about how Paul’s teachings in Romans 1:1–17 could help you become a more courageous disciple.
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Some may wonder, “Why do we need a Savior?” Ponder how you would respond to this question as you study Romans 3:10–12, 23–25; 5:1–2, 8–11, 20–21; 6:23.
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Do you ever feel overwhelmed or discouraged by the things you suffer? Find out why Paul encouraged the Saints to “glory in tribulations” as you study Romans 5:1–5.
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How would you describe your commitment to the Savior’s gospel? As you study Romans 6:1–12, pay attention to what the Savior expects of those who choose to follow Him.
Questions and Sharing
Provide time for students to ask questions and share insights and truths they discovered in their personal study of Romans 1–6.
Skill Training
Romans 1:13–17 might be a helpful place to use the skill “Using Teachings of Church Leaders to Understand the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills. Romans 3:10–12, 23–25; 5:1–2, 8–11, 20–21; 6:23 might be a helpful place to use the skill “Finding the Meaning of Words and Phrases” in Scripture Study Skills.
Learning Activity Options
Multiple learning options are provided for you and your students. Prayerfully choose which option or options will be most meaningful for your class.
Why do I never need to be ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Invite students to write on the board reasons a person might feel embarrassed or ashamed that they are a follower of Jesus Christ or a member of His Church.
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How can feelings of embarrassment or shame influence how we live the gospel?
Point out that the Apostle Paul faced many critics and much opposition during his ministry. Even so, he boldly declared at the beginning of his letter to the Romans that he was not “not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” (Romans 1:16). Read together Romans 1:1–17, looking for possible reasons why Paul was not ashamed of the Savior’s gospel.
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How did Paul feel about Jesus Christ? How did he feel about his calling as an Apostle?
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What can we learn from Paul about sharing the gospel? (You could share the following principle that Elder Dieter F. Ucthdorf drew from verse 16: “Because ‘the gospel of Christ … is the power of God unto salvation’ [Romans 1:16], you can be confident, courageous, and humble as you share it” [“Missionary Work: Sharing What Is in Your Heart,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2019, 17].)
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How can experiencing the power of the Savior’s gospel for yourself influence how you share it?
To help students think more deeply about Romans 1:16, they could work alone or with a partner and use the search tool in Gospel Library or the Scripture Citation Index (scriptures.byu.edu) to learn what Church leaders have said about Romans 1:16. (If students need help using either of these sources, you could review with them “Using Teachings of Church Leaders to Understand the Scriptures” in Scripture Study Skills.) After students have had time to study, ask them to share what they found.
To conclude, invite students to evaluate how well they are doing at showing they are not ashamed of Jesus Christ and His gospel. Invite them to also consider what they can do to be more courageous witnesses of the Savior. Consider giving students time to record their thoughts and impressions from the Holy Ghost.
Romans 3:10–12, 23–25; 5:1–2, 8–11, 20–21; 6:23
Why do I need Jesus Christ?
Consider sharing the following experience told by Elder D. Todd Christofferson:
A while ago, a person who has been a member of the Church for many years asked me, “Why do I need Jesus Christ? I keep the commandments; I’m a good person. Why do I need a Savior?” I must say that this member’s [questions] … took my breath away. (“Why We Need Jesus Christ,” Ensign, Dec. 2020, 19–20)
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Would this surprise you as well? Why or why not?
Explain that in Romans 2–6, Paul addressed the belief held by some Jewish Christians that gentile Christians must observe the law of Moses to be saved (see Romans 2:25–29; 4:9–12). Focused on obeying the law of Moses, these Church members had failed to fully grasp the essential role Jesus Christ plays in their salvation.
Write on the board the following verses:
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Romans 3:10–12, 23–25; 5:1–2, 8–11, 20–21; 6:23. See also 2 Nephi 2:5–8.
Invite students to work in small groups, searching these verses for answers to the question “Why do we need a Savior?”
Note: These verses may include words that are unfamiliar to your students. Encourage them to use the resources listed in “Finding the Meaning of Words and Phrases” in Scripture Study Skills to discover what the words mean. Consider modeling this skill by pointing out that since Paul often refers to “grace” in these verses (see Romans 3:24; 5:2, 20–21), it is important to understand what it means. Invite students to look up “grace” in Guide to the Scriptures or Topics and Questions (Gospel Library) for clarity.
After time for study and small-group discussion, invite students to share what they learned that could answer the question “Why do we need a Savior?” Students may share truths like the following: We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Only through faithful acceptance of Jesus Christ and His Atonement can we receive His grace to be justified and saved.
As students share their insights, consider discussing the following questions to assess their understanding of Paul’s teachings:
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What did you learn about the relationship between faith in Jesus Christ, our works, and the Savior’s grace? (If students struggle to answer this question, consider using the scenario found at the end of this learning activity.)
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What feelings do you have for Jesus Christ, knowing that because of His grace you can be saved?
Considering doing one of the following to help students feel more deeply their need for the Savior:
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Watch “Why We Need a Savior” (2:16) or “There Is No Limit to God’s Love | His Grace” (5:38). Invite students to record their own reasons why they need the Savior.
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Invite students to share examples of how they have been helped by the Savior and His grace.
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Invite students to share how understanding their need for the Savior and His grace affects how they live their lives.
Optional Scenario:
To help students understand the relationship between faith in Jesus Christ, our works, and the Savior’s grace, display or draw the following picture on the board:
Invite students to imagine they are in a desert and dying of thirst. On a nearby hill they see a bottle of water.
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Which of the following will save you: (a) your belief that the water can save you, (b) your effort to get to the water and drink it, or (c) the water itself?
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How is the water in this analogy like Jesus Christ and His Atonement?
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How could you use this analogy to describe the relationship between faith in Jesus Christ, our works, and the Savior’s grace? (Students could work with a partner and practice using the analogy to teach about faith, works, and grace.)
How can the Savior help me with my trials?
You could begin by writing the following headings on the board: Trials or hardships we experience in life and Common responses to trials or hardships. Invite students to share examples of what might fit under each heading.
You could also ask the students to think about a trial or hardship they may be experiencing in their own lives. Encourage them as they study to pay attention to spiritual promptings from the Holy Ghost that can help them in their personal circumstances.
Explain that like us, the Roman Saints experienced many trials. Invite students to read Romans 5:1–5, looking for teachings that can help us during our times of trial or hardship.
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Why is it important to turn to the Savior when we face trials? (Students may identify a principle like the following: As we access the Savior’s grace through faith, we can gain patience, experience, and hope through our tribulations.)
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How can the Savior’s grace help us grow in patience, experience, and hope as we face trials? (If needed, read together “Grace” in Guide to the Scriptures.)
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When has the Savior’s grace helped you or someone you know through a difficult experience?
To help students think more deeply about how the Savior’s grace can help us today as we face challenges, consider sharing the following scenario:
When Mary faces difficult situations, she tends to get impatient. When her impatience builds up, she often says and does things she regrets. She wants the Savior’s help but feels unworthy to ask for it.
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What misunderstanding might Mary have about the Savior’s help or grace?
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What would you want Mary to understand about the Savior’s character?
Consider sharing the following statement by Brother Bradley R. Wilcox, First Counselor in the Young Men General Presidency, and asking students to apply it to the scenario:
Remember that God and Christ are willing to help us right here and now. …
… His grace is not just a prize for the worthy. It is the “divine assistance” He gives that helps us become worthy. It is not just a reward for the righteous. It is the “endowment of strength” He gives that helps us become righteous. We are not just walking toward God and Christ. We are walking with Them. (“Worthiness Is Not Flawlessness,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2021, 67)
You could ask students to reflect on the trial or hardship they identified at the beginning of this learning activity. Invite them to consider how seeking the Savior’s grace today could help them grow as they face their trial.
How can I find a new life in Jesus Christ?
You could begin this activity by having students form small groups and providing them with the handout “Romans 6:1–12”:
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After time for small-group discussion, invite students to share the truth they found and how it applies to Felix. They may identify truths like the following: As we choose to follow Jesus Christ, we strive to leave our sins behind and walk in newness of life. Baptism symbolizes our death to sin and our new life in Christ.
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How has your life been blessed by striving to leave behind sin and become a new person through Jesus Christ? (You might find it helpful to point students to 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Mosiah 27:23–26 as additional scriptural resources.)
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What can happen if we are sporadic in our efforts to follow Jesus Christ?
Consider watching “Newness of Life” (1:18) or reading together and discussing the following statement by Elder David A. Bednar:
After we come out of the waters of baptism, our souls need to be continuously immersed in and saturated with the truth and the light of the Savior’s gospel. Sporadic and shallow dipping in the doctrine of Christ and partial participation in His restored Church cannot produce the spiritual transformation that enables us to walk in a newness of life. …
Total immersion in and saturation with the Savior’s gospel are essential steps in the process of being born again. (“Ye Must Be Born Again,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2007, 21)
Consider displaying the following continuum. Invite students to think about where they might put themselves on it. Invite them to record what adjustments they could make to be more immersed in the Savior’s gospel so they can become more like Him.