Around The Table: From Faith For Faith

October 12th, 2026
by Pastor Dave Ryerson

HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE

Anyone can lead. A parent, a grandparent, a spouse, a friend. You don't need all the answers. "I don't know. Let's look it up together" is a great answer.

Pick your pace. ★ Just 10 minutes: do the ★ steps: read, one question, pray.

The full table (about 20 minutes): do all of Part 1, steps 1–5.

Want more? Add one Going Deeper question, and let Part 2 bring the conversation back to the table all week.

"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house…" (Deuteronomy 6:7)

THE BIG IDEA

God gives us His righteousness as a free gift, and then He patiently keeps growing the faith that received it.

Part 1: Tonight at the Table

1. Kick It Off: Worth the Wait

What's something that's worth the wait? Smoked brisket, homemade bread, Grandma's caramel rolls, a garden tomato in August? Nobody rushes the good stuff, and God doesn't rush us either. The part that saves us is finished, but He's still patiently at work in us (Philippians 1:6).

★ 2. Read and Look Closer

Read Romans 1:8–17 together from your Bible. Grab a pencil: circle the word faith each time it shows up (five times in the ESV) and underline everything Paul wants to do for believers he'd never met. Then read the heart of it once more:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, "The righteous shall live by faith."
— Romans 1:16–17 (ESV)

3. Talk About It: From Faith, for Faith

From Faith: It starts as a gift (verse 17)

Picture a courtroom. You're guilty, and the evidence is real. But the Judge says, "Not guilty. Righteous." Not because you cleaned up your act, but because Jesus took your sentence and gave you His perfect record.

★ Why do you think it's sometimes hard to believe God could forgive us, even when we believe Jesus died for sinners?

Not Ashamed (verse 16; Hebrews 2:11)

Boldness isn't a personality type. It's trust that God's power never falls short. And Jesus "is not ashamed to call them brothers," even when we still struggle.

Where are we most tempted to keep our faith quiet: at work, school, with friends, online?

GOING DEEPER (PICK ONE)

1. God's righteousness is revealed "from faith for faith" (Romans 1:17), and God finishes what He starts (Philippians 1:6). On a day your faith feels weak, what difference does it make that God's verdict holds up your faith, not the other way around?

2. Read Romans 1:11–12 again. The great apostle Paul wants to be encouraged by ordinary believers. Who has God used to encourage you? What keeps you from letting others in?

4. Pick Your Table

Kids at the Table

For families with children.

Paul thanked God for people he had never met! Who are you thankful for at church?
Try this: The Thank-You Round. Go around the table and finish this sentence about each person: "I thank God for you because…" Parents too!

A Seat at the Table

For anyone reading on their own or with a friend. Paul wanted God's people around him too. You belong in that circle.

Of the four "nutshell" practices (give thanks, pray by name, show up, let others encourage you), which comes hardest for me?
Who has encouraged me lately, and have I let them know it mattered?
Try this: Let someone in. Say yes the next time someone offers help, or tell someone honestly how they can pray for you.

★ 5. Pray Together

Pray together, or on your own: Dear God, thank You for calling us "not guilty" and giving us Jesus' perfect record. Grow the faith You've given us, make us bold, and help us love Your family well. In Jesus' name, amen.

Part 2: Through the Week

Paul didn't invent "the righteous shall live by faith." He was quoting the prophet Habakkuk. This week, follow faith from Abraham all the way to everyday life. Read the passage on your own in the morning (about five minutes), then bring the At dinner question back to the table, even if you're the only one who read it.

Monday: Genesis 15:1–6. Abraham believes God's promise, and God "counted it to him as righteousness." At dinner: What did Abraham have to do to be counted righteous?

Tuesday: Habakkuk 2:1–4. The prophet waits on God and hears the promise Paul quotes in Romans 1:17. At dinner: What are we waiting on God for right now?

Wednesday: Romans 3:21–26. Paul explains "the righteousness of God" as a gift given through faith in Jesus. At dinner: Who is included in "all have sinned"? Who is included in the gift?

Thursday: Galatians 2:16–20. Paul says the life he now lives, he lives by faith in the Son of God. At dinner: What would it look like to live by faith at school or work tomorrow?

Friday: Hebrews 11:1–6. The "hall of faith" begins with what faith is. At dinner: Whose faith has inspired yours? Have you ever told them?

Saturday: James 2:14–18. Faith that's alive shows up in what we do: "I will show you my faith by my works." At dinner: Where did you see faith "show up" in our home this week?

CIRCLE BACK

Before Sunday, take five minutes together: Which reading or conversation stuck with you this week, and why? Then thank God for one way you saw Him at work.

Know · Grow · Go This Week

KNOW & GROW: Do the readings above, and say the memory verse at a meal each day. Bonus: read Romans 1:18–32 before next Sunday.

GO: Thank-you notes. Write a note to someone whose faith has encouraged you (a Sunday school teacher, a neighbor, a grandparent, someone who always shows up) and tell them.

Posted in Around The Table, Discipleship