Screenshot from the 2019 ComeUntoChrist.org Video.
Paul loved the Roman Saints and wanted to help them be unified through their faith in Jesus Christ. Both Jewish and Gentile converts needed help understanding their reliance on Jesus Christ and how to receive the blessings of His Atonement. This lesson can help you better understand the need we all have to be forgiven of our sins, or justified, through Jesus Christ.
Focusing on individuals. One of the challenges of teaching is meeting the needs of students with different backgrounds, interests, hopes, and struggles. The Holy Ghost can help you adapt lessons to the needs of all of your students. Look for ways to direct students to the Savior, who is able to help each student in their unique circumstances.
Student preparation: Invite students to read the definitions found in the lesson on Romans 1–6 in Come Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023. Ask them to be prepared to share in their own words the definitions for words like justification and grace.
Possible Learning Activities
All need Jesus Christ
Consider inviting students to draw the following scene in their study journals (or on the board) as it is read aloud.
Imagine you are on a path to a highly desirable destination. As you move along the path, however, you find a barrier or wall blocking the way. The barrier blocks any further progress and is impossible to get past on your own.
Label the destination God’s presence.
Why is returning to God’s presence something that you desire?
Church members in Paul’s day came from different cultures and backgrounds. One thing they all had in common, however, was that they had sinned and therefore were unworthy to enter God’s presence. As you study Romans 2–3, seek to understand what Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son have done so that all people can overcome the barrier that prevents them from returning to God’s presence.
Defining words can help students better understand the context and content of scripture verses. Consider displaying these definitions where students can refer to them as they read verses in Romans. It might be helpful to read through a verse together and substitute a definition for the word in the verse. Students could also share what they learned in their student preparation.
To better understand Paul’s teachings to the Romans, the following definitions may be helpful:
Justification, justify, justified: “To be pardoned from punishment for sin and declared guiltless. A person is justified by the Savior’s grace through faith in Him. This faith is shown by repentance and obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel. Jesus Christ’s Atonement enables mankind to repent and be justified or pardoned from punishment they otherwise would receive” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Justification, Justify,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Faith: “Confidence and trust in Jesus Christ that lead a person to obey Him” (Guide to the Scriptures, “Faith,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
The law: This term refers to the law of Moses and its associated outward actions, or “works” (see “August 7–13. Romans 1–6: ‘The Power of God unto Salvation,’” in Come Follow Me—For Individuals and Families: New Testament 2023; see also Guide to the Scriptures, “Law of Moses,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).
Grace: The blessings, mercy, help, and strength available to us because of Jesus Christ’s Atonement (see Bible Dictionary, “Grace”).
Read Romans 3:10–12, 20–23, and look for how Paul describes the barrier between us and God.
What phrases from Paul’s teachings help us understand what the barrier is?
Write these phrases on the barrier in your drawing. Read the following statement by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, and look for additional understanding of what the barrier represents:
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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Because we have all “sinned, and come short of the glory of God” [Romans 3:23] and because “there cannot any unclean thing enter into the kingdom of God” [1 Nephi 15:34], every one of us is unworthy to return to God’s presence.
Even if we were to serve God with our whole souls, it is not enough, for we would still be “unprofitable servants” [Mosiah 2:21]. We cannot earn our way into heaven; the demands of justice stand as a barrier, which we are powerless to overcome on our own.
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Gift of Grace,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2015, 108)
Students could also add The demands of justice to the barrier in their drawing.
Think about areas in which you fall short or sins you are striving to overcome.
It may be helpful here to share the statement by Elder Uchtdorf in the “Commentary and Background Information” section.
Read Romans 3:24–28 (notice the Joseph Smith Translation in verse 24, footnote a), and look for what Paul taught about the only way we can be justified, or forgiven of our sins.
Invite students to share insights or questions they may have about this topic or these verses. For example, students may not understand the word “propitiation” (verse 25). They could use the footnotes for help with this. Help students understand the following bolded truth that comes from these verses.
One truth you can learn from these verses is that through faithful acceptance of Jesus Christ, all mankind may be justified through His grace.
It may be helpful to show the video “Why We Need a Savior” (2:15), which is included in the “Commentary and Background Information” section. It illustrates that Jesus Christ helps us overcome our sins and challenges.
What thoughts or feelings do you have when you reflect on this truth?
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught how the Atonement of Jesus Christ can change how we see our sins and imperfections:
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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
The Savior’s infinite Atonement completely changes the way we may view our transgressions and imperfections. Instead of dwelling on them and feeling irredeemable or hopeless, we can learn from them and feel hopeful. The cleansing gift of repentance allows us to leave our sins behind and emerge a new creature.
Because of Jesus Christ, our failures do not have to define us. They can refine us.
(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “God among Us,” Liahona, May 2021, 8–9)
The following questions might be better answered privately by students in their study journals.
How does your view of your own mistakes and imperfections compare to what Elder Uchtdorf described?
Add to your drawing by illustrating how Jesus Christ helps us overcome the barrier.
How can understanding that we all sin and fall short of salvation change how we see Jesus Christ?
What insights, feelings, or impressions do you have because of what you have learned in this lesson?
Commentary and Background Information
How can I better understand justification?
Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following about the meaning of justification:
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Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Because of “the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice,” Jesus Christ can satisfy or “answer the ends of the law” on our behalf. Pardon comes by the grace of Him who has satisfied the demands of justice by His own suffering. … He removes our condemnation without removing the law. We are pardoned and placed in a condition of righteousness with Him. We become, like Him, without sin. We are sustained and protected by the law, by justice. We are, in a word, justified.
Thus, we may appropriately speak of one who is justified as pardoned, without sin, or guiltless.
Watch the video “Why We Need a Savior” (2:15), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
Did sin interfere with Heavenly Father’s plan?
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, taught:
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Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Our Heavenly Father knew before we came to this mortal existence that negative forces would tempt us to drift from our course, “for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” [Romans 3:23]. That is why He prepared a way for us to make corrections. Through the merciful process of true repentance and the Atonement of Jesus Christ, our sins can be forgiven and we will “not perish, but have everlasting life” [John 3:16].
What did Paul mean when he said that “Gentiles … do by nature the things contained in the law”? (Romans 2:14)
“Paul recognized that some Gentiles intuitively lived moral lives. … These Gentiles were following the Light of Christ, which is ‘an influence for good in the lives of all people (John 1:9; D&C 84:46–47)’ [Guide to the Scriptures, “Light, Light of Christ,” scriptures.ChurchofJesusChrist.org]. Though they did not have the law of Moses, Paul said they had ‘the work of the law written in their hearts’ (Romans 2:15)” (“Romans 1–3,” in New Testament Student Manual [2018], 337).
Supplemental Learning Activities
Obedient from the heart
Consider inviting a student to read Romans 2:28–29, replacing the word Jew with Latter-day Saint and the word circumcision with the covenant. What does this change add to our understanding of Paul’s teachings? What are examples of things we do as Church members that are more meaningful and powerful when done “of the heart, in the spirit”? (Romans 2:29). (Adapted from “August 7–13. Romans 1–6: ‘The Power of God unto Salvation,’” Come, Follow Me—For Sunday School: New Testament 2023.)
The doctrine of justification in Restoration scripture
The doctrine of justification is also taught in the Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants. Students could form pairs and read either 2 Nephi 2:5–8 or Doctrine and Covenants 20:29–31 to find insights about justification.
Jewish Saints’ beliefs about the law of Moses
The following scenario might represent the beliefs of some of the Roman Saints to whom Paul wrote. Consider using it to help students understand some of the incorrect ideas Paul was addressing.
Asher comes from a faithful Jewish family that has lived in Rome for two generations. Growing up, he was taught to live the law of Moses diligently. His family always believed that they would be saved by living according to the rituals, outward performances, and ordinances of the law of Moses. When Asher’s family learned about Jesus Christ, they believed that He was the Messiah they had been waiting for. They were baptized but continued to live the law of Moses, believing that strict obedience would bring them salvation.
What truths do Asher and his family still need to learn?