Study Questions for April 5, 2026

April 2nd, 2026
by Kyle Carnahan

The Great Confession by Dale Beaver

Read Romans 10:9-13; Philippians 2:9-11; Joel 2:32; and Luke 23:39-43.

Pastor Dale began by discussing the history of ancient creeds and the Easter greeting, "He is risen; He is risen indeed",. Why do you think it is valuable for modern believers to join their voices with Christians from the 3rd and 4th centuries by reciting statements like the Apostles' Creed?
Read Romans 10:9. In the first century, declaring "Jesus is Lord" was a radical statement that stood in direct opposition to the Roman requirement to declare "Caesar is Lord". How does knowing this historical tension help you understand the weight of making a public confession of faith today?
Pastor Dale notes that in verses 9 and 10, Paul "backs into the garage" by mentioning the open declaration before the heart belief, only to reverse the order in the next verse. Why is it impossible to truly have one of these (believing or declaring) without the other?
Read Romans 10:10-11. The Greek word for "confess" or "declare" is homolo, which means "to agree with what is being said". When you confess that Jesus is Lord, what specific truths about Him are you agreeing to?
The Validation of the Resurrection. Pastor Dale states that without the resurrection, Christianity would be nothing more than "a new morality". How does the resurrection serve as the ultimate authentication that Jesus is both God and Savior?
The Name above all Names. In the Old Testament, the personal name for God (YHWH) was translated as "LORD" over 6,000 times. When Paul writes that "Jesus is Lord," he is explicitly identifying Jesus as the same God worshipped by Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. How does this high view of Jesus' divinity impact your worship?
Read Romans 10:10a. Biblical heart belief goes beyond "intellectual agreement" or a "memorized password". Pastor Dale describes it as a deep personal trust that the resurrection is "seriously relevant" for your life,. What is the difference between believing about the resurrection and trusting in it for your salvation?
Read Romans 10:12-13. This passage emphasizes that there is no alternative game plan for salvation; it is the same gospel for everyone. How does the universal promise that "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" encourage your efforts in outreach and evangelism?
The Thief on the Cross. Pastor Dale uses the example of the thief who simply cried out, "Jesus, remember me". How does this simple cry of conviction illustrate that Jesus has the power to save us even when we have nothing to offer Him but our need?
Evaluating Lips and Life. The sermon concludes with a challenging question: "Does my life as well as my lips confess that Jesus is Lord?". What is one area of your daily conduct (speech, relationships, or thoughts) that you want to more clearly align with your confession of Jesus' Lordship this week?
Close in Prayer: Thank God for the gift of the "Great Confession." Ask the Holy Spirit to move your faith from mere intellectual agreement to a life-transforming conviction, and pray for those you know who have not yet "called upon the name of the Lord".

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Analogy for Understanding: A heart of faith without a public confession is as nonsensical as claiming there is a roaring fire in a room that has neither flame nor heat. Just as heat is the natural, necessary evidence of a fire, the outward declaration that "Jesus is Lord" is the natural, necessary evidence of a heart that has been set ablaze by the truth of the resurrection.

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