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MacArthur Bible Studies
Romans: Grace, Truth, and Redemption
Paul’s letter to the Romans is an inspired masterpiece of doctrine highlighting God’s grace, truth, and redemption. Within its pages, the apostle shares his message of good news and eternal salvation with the church, advises believers on theological truths, gives practical applications for living the Christian life, and shows how God’s righteousness comes by grace alone through faith in Christ. The book of Romans underscores that Christianity is far more than just a doctrine—it is an essential road map for daily living.
The MacArthur Bible Studies provide intriguing examinations of the whole of Scripture. Each guide incorporates extensive commentary, detailed observations on overriding themes, and probing questions to help you study the Word of God with guidance from John MacArthur.
114 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2000
423 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
John F. MacArthur Jr.
1,344 books1,916 followersJohn F. MacArthur, Jr. was a United States Calvinistic evangelical writer and minister, noted for his radio program entitled Grace to You and as the editor of the Gold Medallion Book Award-winning MacArthur Study Bible. MacArthur was a fifth-generation pastor, a popular author and conference speaker, and served as pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California beginning in 1969, as well as President of The Master’s College (and the related Master’s Seminary) in Santa Clarita, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
October 20, 2022
This was my first MacArthur topical book study and I genuinely loved it! My fave part of his approach is the ‘Record Your Thoughts’ section where he points to multiple scriptures through the Old and New Testament solidifying the study of that particular chapter covered in Romans.
December 26, 2013
Excellent topical study of the Biblical book of Romans. MacArthur provides much converging material (including the text itself, other Biblical references, and both textual and conceptual commentary) right in the book. That makes this book especially good for a reader unacquainted with Romans as well as someone who might read this study where other references are not readily available (admittedly less of a problem these days).
A very good read.
A very good read.
November 5, 2019
This is a neat journal that includes all the text of Romans right there in the pages with margin notes for important words and thought-provoking questions to help you engage with what you just read and then apply it to your life.
The only thing I didn't like was the inconvenience of the margin notes.
Favorite quotes:
“Jesus Christ calls to Himself those who are willing to be inwardly transformed by Him, who desire an entirely new nature that is created in His own holy likeness. He calls to Himself those who are willing to die with Him...who are willing to relinquish slavery to their sin for slavery to His righteousness” (p. 47).
“Theology can never be divorced from life; it always has practical ramifications and implications” (p.78).
“Paul demonstrates that when a believer gives himself or herself fully to God and then, in the power of the Spirit, lives out in experience what is already true of him or her positionally and actually, the result is staggering, mind-boggling. Such an other-worldly life will be like a bright neon sign in a dark culture” (p.78).
“But supernatural living is not a mystical, undefined life based on elusive good impulses and sincere intentions. It is practical living that results from conscious obedience to God's standards of righteousness...It is thinking, speaking, and acting in daily conformity with God's Word and will” (p.82).
The only thing I didn't like was the inconvenience of the margin notes.
Favorite quotes:
“Jesus Christ calls to Himself those who are willing to be inwardly transformed by Him, who desire an entirely new nature that is created in His own holy likeness. He calls to Himself those who are willing to die with Him...who are willing to relinquish slavery to their sin for slavery to His righteousness” (p. 47).
“Theology can never be divorced from life; it always has practical ramifications and implications” (p.78).
“Paul demonstrates that when a believer gives himself or herself fully to God and then, in the power of the Spirit, lives out in experience what is already true of him or her positionally and actually, the result is staggering, mind-boggling. Such an other-worldly life will be like a bright neon sign in a dark culture” (p.78).
“But supernatural living is not a mystical, undefined life based on elusive good impulses and sincere intentions. It is practical living that results from conscious obedience to God's standards of righteousness...It is thinking, speaking, and acting in daily conformity with God's Word and will” (p.82).
July 3, 2020
It seems like there should be a teacher's guide or something to go with this. There was not a whole lot of insight included in this book. In fact, the majority of the book was the full text of the book of Romans. I was hoping for some illumination on some of the difficult passages. I found none.
June 17, 2015
One of the things I have discovered recently is that there is no better feeling than having a genuine, but friendly, discussion with friends about one of the books of the Bible and John MacArthur's series of Bible study guides is one of the best tools for that. This particular volume covers the entire book of Romans in 12 chapters, or lessons, with approximately 10 questions for each chapter and space enough for you to write your own answer to each of them. It also includes introductory notes on the passage you are about to read, New King James Version translations of the passages for those who forgot to bring their Bibles, a cross-reference passage halfway through each chapter for an individual or group to discuss, and an introduction to the book of the Bible you are about to read. Many of the notes give crucial context to the passages you are about to read and questions you are about to answer. However, though this one of the best study guides for individual study or group discussion you are likely to find, it is not without its flaws. Many of the notes used in the study guide are lifted directly out of John MacArthur's commentaries in John MacArthur study Bibles, so if you use those already there won't be any surprises or new insights for you. Also, some of the questions don't work so well, particularly when MacArthur asks you to underline or circle words in the passage. And there are a couple of printing mistakes here and there that are true of all those printed off as I checked with my friends. Lastly, I don't think this is the best study guide for individual study. You will get more out of this if you sue it in a study group. Still, this is one of the best Bible study guide series you are likely to find and I highly recommend it to you for your your next Bible study group discussion.
March 28, 2020
John MacArthur’s study Romans: Grace, Truth, and Redemption provides a strong tool for group or individual study. Over the past months, nine friends and I met to study Romans together, using this study guide. Our leader also added additional challenges and assignments to dig deeper into certain doctrine.
Using scripture references from NKJV, MacArthur crafts questions, provides key words and definitions, and passages from other books of the Bible for comparison and additional study. The format adds to the learning and discussion.
The guide starts out with introducing the author (Paul), date, background, setting, historical and theological themes, and interpretive challenges. Romans contains difficult passages. this guide and the questions posed helped with better understanding.
From Romans, we learn that righteousness comes from God alone. The truth is outlined In the first 11 chapters of doctrine and then the remaining chapters detail practicalities for individuals and the church.
For me personally, I was convinced of God’s abundant love and the truth that God is transforming me continually. Practically, I appreciated Paul’s examples and gratitude for the people working together in service. There were many specific lessons learned over the months which can be applied in our lives for richness in the mundane, relationships with others, and relaying the gospel. I recommend this study, especially in a small group.
Using scripture references from NKJV, MacArthur crafts questions, provides key words and definitions, and passages from other books of the Bible for comparison and additional study. The format adds to the learning and discussion.
The guide starts out with introducing the author (Paul), date, background, setting, historical and theological themes, and interpretive challenges. Romans contains difficult passages. this guide and the questions posed helped with better understanding.
From Romans, we learn that righteousness comes from God alone. The truth is outlined In the first 11 chapters of doctrine and then the remaining chapters detail practicalities for individuals and the church.
For me personally, I was convinced of God’s abundant love and the truth that God is transforming me continually. Practically, I appreciated Paul’s examples and gratitude for the people working together in service. There were many specific lessons learned over the months which can be applied in our lives for richness in the mundane, relationships with others, and relaying the gospel. I recommend this study, especially in a small group.
February 17, 2023
This was a great Bible study. It had you actually digging into the Word of God and pulling answers out. Most of the book is probably the text from Romans, and I have no problem with that. This is what a Bible study should be. It gets to application questions, and gets you looking at your own life and how to make the changes, but that isn't the primary focus. The first step, and most important aspect, is being grounded in God's word.
Now I want a book that teaches how MacArthur is able to find these solutions within a Bible text. I want to learn about his process of exegesis.
This was a good Bible study. Far better than most of the others I am familiar with, and would be a great one for a small group.
Now I want a book that teaches how MacArthur is able to find these solutions within a Bible text. I want to learn about his process of exegesis.
This was a good Bible study. Far better than most of the others I am familiar with, and would be a great one for a small group.
February 18, 2022
This book became an indispensable part of my daily Bible study time as I journeyed through the Book of Romans. Pastor John MacArthur writes some of the best study guides out there. Each lesson contains the portion of the Bible being focused upon, sidebar commentaries that do deep dives into subjects, people places, etc. and follow-up questions to reinforce what you've learned.
Romans had been a difficult Book in the Bible to understand fully, however, this guide explained things in a manner that was very helpful.
I also used his study guides on Acts and 1-3 John and Jude as well and have gained so much from them.
Romans had been a difficult Book in the Bible to understand fully, however, this guide explained things in a manner that was very helpful.
I also used his study guides on Acts and 1-3 John and Jude as well and have gained so much from them.
December 10, 2020
While I really enjoy the book of Romans, I wasn't a huge fan of this study guide. The questions were sometimes written in a way that were tricky to understand. Also, the author used the King James version for Bible passages which I'm also not huge on. This is just personal preference though. He is very knowledgeable, well versed in the Bible, and really got me thinking. In a small group setting, some great discussions can be had when discussing Romans with this study guide! I did learn a lot!
December 28, 2020
Nice introductory 12-week guide to study of Paul's epistles to the Romans.
Likes:
Includes the ESV translation of the text in the guide
Adds other salient biblical passages from which Paul's letter draws
Enhanced margin notes
Thoughtful questions for reflection
Relevant chapter breaks
Dislikes:
Poor paper quality (but it hits a price-point)
Conclusion: You can't go wrong with a MacArthur study guide!
Likes:
Includes the ESV translation of the text in the guide
Adds other salient biblical passages from which Paul's letter draws
Enhanced margin notes
Thoughtful questions for reflection
Relevant chapter breaks
Dislikes:
Poor paper quality (but it hits a price-point)
Conclusion: You can't go wrong with a MacArthur study guide!
October 6, 2017
Easy but deep study of Scipture!
I love this study (as well as others he's written) as he gives questions to really search your heart, gives insight into meanings of words and phrases in the text and gives opportunity to know God in a deeper way by this easy to follow in depth study of Scripture.
I love this study (as well as others he's written) as he gives questions to really search your heart, gives insight into meanings of words and phrases in the text and gives opportunity to know God in a deeper way by this easy to follow in depth study of Scripture.
August 17, 2021
Illuminating
Like the other texts in this series this book of Romans help to quickly open up this book of the Bible which I used as part of a month’s long in-depth study. I love what MacArthur adds to the beginning and the end of each chapter. He gives me other books of the Bible to connect Romans to New Testament as well as the Old Testament. Excellent text and author.
Like the other texts in this series this book of Romans help to quickly open up this book of the Bible which I used as part of a month’s long in-depth study. I love what MacArthur adds to the beginning and the end of each chapter. He gives me other books of the Bible to connect Romans to New Testament as well as the Old Testament. Excellent text and author.
February 19, 2024
This book is a good overview. It doesn't go really deep, but if you're looking for a solid easy read, it's great! It does make you think about what you're reading and how it applies today. If you're looking to really dig into the history, culture, writer, etc. then go for a different study, but if you're looking to simply enrich your life with Scripture and guidance, then this is great.
January 30, 2020
It is a helpful little study with key words and good questions used to prompt you in your study of the book of Romans. The additional notes were a nice item for you to write additional thoughts, bible verses, etc.
March 11, 2021
Good for a group study. Broken into themes with ten questions per chapter and related text links. If you've never given deep thought to Christianity holistically then this is a great place to guide deeper understanding.
April 5, 2023
Our group has completed several “Johnny Mac” studies. I had a hard time with this one. Likely not the study, but the difficulty of Paul’s book of Romans. Good discussions with the group and some great comparisons by MacArthur. This study was 3.5 for me.
July 27, 2023
Good study on Romans
For the most part, questions were pertinent to the scriptures and helped us to reflect on their meaning. I liked the layout of each chapter as well. Further clarified the text.
For the most part, questions were pertinent to the scriptures and helped us to reflect on their meaning. I liked the layout of each chapter as well. Further clarified the text.
February 5, 2019
Too much Calvinism
February 8, 2022
MacArthur’s Insight is amazing
This is a must read for all Christians who struggle to understand the book of Romans. I highly recommend to all.
This is a must read for all Christians who struggle to understand the book of Romans. I highly recommend to all.
July 3, 2022
Good study
November 21, 2022
Excellent, in - depth Bible study.
September 18, 2023
Great in-debth study
I really enjoyed this study. Takes you deeper into God's word and breaks things down for better understanding. On to the next....
I really enjoyed this study. Takes you deeper into God's word and breaks things down for better understanding. On to the next....
December 3, 2023
Wonderful Book!
Excellent discussion of the book of Romans!
Excellent discussion questions!
Excellent! I wish I could have better words to express my heart.
Excellent discussion of the book of Romans!
Excellent discussion questions!
Excellent! I wish I could have better words to express my heart.
February 13, 2024
The book takes me deeper into the book of Romans. I need to go through It again.
June 7, 2024
From a scheduling perspective, this book offers a good way to go through Romans, however, there is not a lot of exposition, which is typical of JMac's Bible book studies.
July 24, 2015
Although MacArthur does a great job of defining concepts, it isn't much of an in depth commentary. The questions are superficial and he misses several key concepts in the book of Romans. If you do this, you will need other supporting materials to get a more in depth understanding. Personally, I wouldn't waste your time.
August 29, 2007
This is a very good series of explanation as well as question asking Bible Studies. Very helpful in this study is the glossary beside each passage: each passage is printed in the book and any hard to define words are defined in the margin.
November 17, 2023
I lead a bible study and used this as a resource to have everyone in the study go through. It was helpful for me as the leader to have some questions made for me and also address some of the details of the text. I would recommend using this if you plan on leading a bible study through Romans.
May 19, 2008
Started this for our Wed. night Bible study and we are moving very slowly!! We are now using another commentary instead of this one....really didn't like it and neither did the others in my study! :(
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November 26, 2014I enjoyed what I read, but it was a little much for my high school Sunday School kids, so we're moving along...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews