Week 5: God’s Mercy and Plan

Scripture: Romans 9-11

Main Theme: God’s Sovereign Mercy

Big Idea: God’s mercy is wider than we imagine — His plan is unfolding even when we can’t see it.

Roman Fact:

Roman Adoption Practices:

In ancient Rome, adoption wasn’t just for children — it was common for wealthy, childless men to adopt grown adults to continue their family name and legacy.

Introduction:

Have you ever made a plan that totally fell apart?

You spent weeks preparing, thinking through every detail. You had the vision in your head, the steps lined up, the outcome in mind.

And then… it unraveled.

Maybe it was a school project you worked hard on, only to have it crash and burn.

Maybe it was a friendship you invested in, only to be met with silence or betrayal.

Maybe it was a prayer — something you begged God for — and the answer never came. Or worse, it came in a way you never expected.

Talk about the time when I played some shows as a solo musician and how I prepped so hard and they went so bad.

We all know what it feels like when life doesn’t go according to plan.

And when that happens, it can make you wonder…

“If my plans fall apart so easily… what about God’s?”

That’s exactly where Paul is in Romans 9–11.

He’s wrestling with something heartbreaking: the fact that Israel — God’s chosen people — missed the Messiah.

Jesus came, and they didn’t recognize Him.

The people who had the promises, the covenants, the Scriptures… rejected the very one they were waiting for.

It raises some honest, terrifying questions:

Did God’s plan fail?

Did His promises break?

And if they did… what does that mean for us?

These chapters aren’t just a theological debate — they’re a spiritual lifeline.

Because they answer the real fear many of us carry deep down:

“What if I mess up so badly that God gives up on me?”

“What if my story goes so off-track that it’s no longer part of His plan?”

“What if I’m not chosen?”

But what Paul reveals in Romans 9–11 is this:

God’s mercy never runs out. His promises never fall short. And His plan is always unfolding — even when we can’t see it.

Tension:

We believe God is faithful… but sometimes it feels like we’re not seeing that faithfulness play out.

We read about His promises in Scripture.

We hear sermons about His plan.

We sing songs about His mercy.

But when we look at real life — our real struggles, our unanswered prayers, our ongoing pain — it can feel like God’s promises are not moving forward.

And that disconnect raises some hard questions:

“If God is in control, why does it feel like things are falling apart?”

“If He’s good, why does it look like evil is winning?”

“If He keeps His promises, why do I feel forgotten?”

These are not new questions.

In Romans 9–11, Paul is answering the exact same tension:

How could God’s chosen people — Israel — miss the Messiah? They had the covenants, the law, the prophets… the promises. And yet, they rejected Jesus. To many, it looked like God’s plan had failed.

And Paul knows what people are wondering:

“If God didn’t keep His promises to Israel, how can I trust Him to keep His promises to me?”

That’s not just a theological crisis — that’s a deeply personal one.

Because if God’s faithfulness can be broken… then maybe I’m not as safe as I thought I was.

Paul’s answer is loud and clear — but it’s not shallow or simplistic.

No, God hasn’t failed.

No, His mercy hasn’t run out.

No, the plan hasn’t crumbled.

What looked like rejection was actually redirection.

And that brings the same question back to us:

“What if the mess you’re in right now is still part of the mercy?”

“What if the waiting, the silence, the confusion — isn’t the end of the story, but the middle of it?”

That’s what Romans 9–11 is going to show us.

Not just how God stayed faithful to Israel — but how He’s still faithful to you.

Big Idea:

God’s mercy is wider than we imagine — His plan is unfolding even when we can’t see it.

Truth:

Background:

Paul is writing to a divided group of believers — Jews and Gentiles — in the heart of Rome.

Israel’s history was one of covenant and promise. They were God’s chosen people.

Yet, many rejected Jesus — and the Gentiles were coming to faith instead.

This raises massive questions:

What about God’s promises to Israel?

Is God fair?

Can we trust Him?

Romans 9–11 unpacks these questions — not with easy answers, but with stunning mercy.

God’s Heart Breaks for the Lost

Read: Romans 9:1–5

Romans 9:1–5 ESV

1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ, who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

Paul’s heart aches for Israel — the people who had God’s promises, covenants, and law, yet missed Jesus.

God’s heart is broken over lost people — and He still pursues them.

Key Point: God’s love is relentless, even when we reject Him.

God’s Promises Stand — Not Based on Us

Read: Romans 9:6–13

Romans 9:6–13 ESV

6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

Not all descendants of Israel are part of God’s true family — it’s about promise, not performance.

God’s plan was never based on who we are — it’s based on who He is.

Key Point: God’s promises depend on His faithfulness, not our worthiness.

God’s Mercy Is a Gift, Not a Right

Read: Romans 9:14–18

Romans 9:14–18 ESV

14 What shall we say then? Is there injustice on God’s part? By no means! 15 For he says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” 18 So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills.

We ask, “Is God unfair?” Paul says no — mercy is never something we deserve.

If God were fair, no one would be saved. Mercy is pure grace.

Key Point: We don’t earn mercy — we receive it.

Salvation Comes by Faith, Not Works

Read: Romans 10:9–13

Romans 10:9–13 ESV

9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Righteousness isn’t achieved by works — it’s received by believing in Jesus.

Anyone — Jew or Gentile — who calls on His name will be saved.

Key Point: Faith, not effort, is the doorway to salvation.

God Is Still Working Even Through Rejection

Read: Romans 11:1–6

Romans 11:1–6 ESV

1 I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. Do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he appeals to God against Israel? 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets, they have demolished your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life.” 4 But what is God’s reply to him? “I have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 So too at the present time there is a remnant, chosen by grace. 6 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works; otherwise grace would no longer be grace.

Read: Romans 11:11–12

Romans 11:11–12 ESV

11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather, through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

Israel’s rejection isn’t the end — it opened the door for Gentiles.

And God’s not done with Israel either — He’s working redemption even through rebellion.

Key Point: God turns rejection into restoration.

God’s Mercy Leads Us to Worship

Read: Romans 11:33–36

Romans 11:33–36 ESV

33 Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 35 “Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 36 For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Paul ends with worship: God’s wisdom, knowledge, and mercy are too deep to fully understand — but they’re always good.

Key Point: When you can’t trace God’s hand, trust His heart — and worship.

Application:

So how should we respond to a God whose mercy is wider than we can imagine — and whose plan is unfolding even when we can’t see it?

Romans 9–11 isn’t just a defense of God’s faithfulness. It’s an invitation to respond to it.

Trust God’s Plan Even When You Can’t See It

Let’s be honest — we all have moments when God feels distant.

When life doesn’t line up with what we prayed for.

When we feel forgotten, overlooked, or confused.

In those moments, it’s easy to assume the story is off track.

But Romans 9–11 reminds us: just because we can’t see God’s hand doesn’t mean He’s not writing the story.

Israel’s rejection wasn’t the end — it was part of the greater redemption plan.

What looked like failure was actually setting the stage for salvation to reach the world.

And if God was faithful in that — He’ll be faithful in your life, too.

Takeaway:

Stop letting your circumstances define your theology.

Anchor your trust not in what you see, but in who He is.

God hasn’t forgotten you. He hasn’t failed you.

He’s just not finished yet.

Stay Humble — Salvation Is a Gift, Not a Trophy

Romans 11 gives us a sober warning: Don’t become arrogant.

Israel’s mistake was trusting in their own efforts.

The Gentile temptation was assuming they were better.

But Paul reminds both groups — salvation is never something we earn or deserve.

You didn’t work your way into God’s family.

You were grafted in by mercy.

Which means every moment of grace in your life should lead to gratitude, not pride.

Takeaway:

Check your heart. Are you walking in awe of mercy — or acting like you deserved it?

Don’t look down on others still far from God — remember how far He brought you.

Humility isn’t weakness. It’s worship.

Be Part of the Mission — Share the Mercy You Received

Romans 10 hits us with a clear, unavoidable truth:

“How will they hear unless someone tells them?”

You weren’t saved to be silent.

You were saved to be sent.

The mercy that found you is meant to flow through you.

Your classroom, your job, your neighborhood — those are your mission fields.

There are people around you who still think God’s love has to be earned — and they’ve never heard that it’s freely given.

Takeaway:

Ask God to open your eyes this week: Who needs to hear the hope you’ve been given?

Don’t wait for the perfect moment — share from your own story.

Boldness isn’t about having the perfect words — it’s about trusting the perfect Savior.

Landing:

Romans 9–11 shows us a God whose mercy is bigger than our failures — and a plan that can’t be stopped.

Even when it looks like the story is falling apart — God is still writing redemption.

You are not forgotten.

You are not abandoned.

You are not a mistake.

You are part of God’s unstoppable plan — a living proof of His mercy.

Big Idea (again):

God’s mercy is wider than we imagine — His plan is unfolding even when we can’t see it.

Pray:

Pray: Ask God to help students…

Trust His promises even when life feels uncertain.

Stay humble and remember salvation is by grace alone.

Join in God’s mission to share His mercy with others.

Worship God for His unsearchable mercy and wisdom.