When we read through the New Testament, we discover that an understanding of the relationship between faith and works is critical to our salvation.

In discussing faith and works with Jehovah’s Witnesses, ask for their help in understanding Paul’s teachings and request that they look with you at Romans 4:1-8.

Today, we’ll focus on Romans 4:1-3.

Although I’ll be discussing the rest of the passage in the next two posts, whether you discuss Paul’s teaching in several sessions or just one depends on how quickly or slowly you are progressing.

Let the Witnesses be the teachers.

Ask them to explain to you what Paul is teaching in Romans 4.

As you go along, ask them stone-in-the-shoe questions that will require them to voice the points Paul is making in the context in which he makes them.

By doing that, you will be modeling sound contextual Bible study.

That will contrast with the Watchtower’s instructional methods, which involve making statements of their beliefs followed by short proof texts or verse citations listed together without accompanying quotes.

I recommend that you start with a small bite by asking one of them to read Romans 4:1-2 out loud from their Bibles.

Romans 4:1-2: “That being so, what will we say was gained by Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? 2 For instance, if Abraham was declared righteous as a result of works, he would have reason to boast, but not with God.”

Ask:

  • According to that passage in Romans, what role did works play in God declaring Abraham righteous? 

The correct answer is that God did not declare Abraham righteous as a result of works.

Ask:

  • What does Paul mean when he talks about boasting?

It will be hard for Jehovah’s Witnesses to say what Paul said, that if God had declared Abraham righteous because of his works, he would have been able to boast.

Don’t be surprised if they immediately bring up James 2:21, which says that Abraham was declared righteous by works when he offered Isaac on the altar.

If they do, say:

  • That’s a great point, and I do want to discuss that with you at some point, but right now I’d like to focus on what Paul says in Romans 4 to make sure I understand what Paul is trying to get across. Then I’ll be happy to look at James because I know God’s Word doesn’t contradict itself.

Have them go on to read aloud Romans 4:3.

Romans 4:3: “For what does the scripture say? ‘Abraham put faith in Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness.’”

Ask:

  • So Paul says Jehovah declared Abraham righteous because of his faith, right?
  • When did that happen?
  •  What exactly did Jehovah say that Abraham believed and put his faith in?

 Their chain reference directs them to Genesis 15, where then childless Abraham believed God’s promise that he would have a son as an heir.

Ask:

  • Why did it take a lot of faith for Abraham to believe that promise? 

Because of his age and the barrenness of his wife, Sarah.

If necessary, ask one of the Witnesses to read aloud Hebrews 11:11-12: “By faith also Sarah received power to conceive offspring, even when she was past the age, since she considered Him faithful who made the promise. For this reason, from one man who was as good as dead, there were born children, as many as the stars of heaven in number and as innumerable as the sands by the seaside.”

Ask:

  • Abraham believed the promise in Genesis 15. When in relation to that was Isaac born?

Establish that the promise was fulfilled many years later, in Genesis 22.

Summary

Ask:

  • So, how is being declared righteous because of faith different from being declared righteous as a result of works?

Listen to their explanation to that stone-in-the-shoe question.

The answer you are looking for is that one of them is being declared righteous by trusting Jehovah’s promise, while the other is being declared righteous as a result of one’s own behavior.

This introductory passage will set the stage for the heart of Paul’s teaching, which is contained in Romans 4:4-5.

 

 

 

 

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