This week, pastoral elder Jon Vega continues our journey through Romans. He talks about the Wild Olive Shoot.

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Here are some study questions to go with this.

1. It appears that “the elect” (verse 5) are the ultimate example/ expression of God’s Grace, not works. How does that work? Why would God want to do that? Are they forced into salvation (verse 29)?
2. The Jew’s transgression “means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles” (verse 12). What are the different ways people react when offered a free and costly gift? How does that apply to the world and the riches Paul refers to?
3. Why does Paul have to warn: “You do not support the root, but the root supports you” (verse 18). How then should we apply verse 20-21 to our lives and interactions today and this coming week?
4. In other passages, the Bible talks about the gardener pruning the vine and the reaper thrashing the harvest, but this passage seems to speak about the wild vine as if it has a choice to accept or reject the grafting, obedience versus disobedience. Why?
5. How does/could this passage change your position in the Body of Christ (God’s gift of adoption/ grafting into His family) and the way you see the world? Does it remove doubt from your walk with Him or fear of rejection for not being good enough?