How to use the Romans Road Trip booklet  

Hey parents! We’re excited about the trip you're taking this summer. Helping our children learn, memorize, and apply God’s word is an important calling on all parents. However, without a plan, many of us aren’t sure what to do. There’s more than one way to use these cards, but we hope the following suggestions help!   

 

Helpful Tips:  

  • Choose a time (5-10 minutes) each day to sit down as a family and talk about this week’s verse. We suggest doing this over a meal!  

  • Understand the goal. The goal is for your child to memorize and understand each verse. This will require time, consistency, and conversation.  

  • Memorize with your child. As you attempt to memorize these verses, you will show your child the importance of God’s word in your life.  

  • Going on a road trip this summer? Bring these verses! Use a few minutes in the car to review a verse or two.  

 

Example Schedule:  

  • Monday evening (after dinner, before bed, etc.) – Read the verse out loud to your family. If you have a child who can read, have him or her read it out loud a few times as well. Ask your child what the verse means. If they aren’t sure, help explain the verse. Be sure to point out the key words. Explain what these words mean. Read the verse out loud a few more times. Close in a time of prayer.  

  • Tuesday evening – Read the verse out loud to your family. Break down the verse into small chunks. Help your child learn each section. Do a review of the keywords. Make sure they understand them. Ask your child to close the time out in prayer.  

  • Wednesday evening – Read the verse out loud. Try playing the game, fill in the blank. Say part of the verse and then stop. Tell your child to say whatever word or phrase is next. Continue to review the definition of the keywords. Close in the time of prayer. Consider praying for friends and family members that don’tknow Jesus.  

  • Thursday evening – Read the verse out loud. See if your child can say the whole verse! Give them the card and have them test you. See if you can say the whole verse as well! Close in a time of prayer.  

  • Friday – Sunday evening – Review current verse and previous verses memorized. Close out each time in prayer, ask God to help you and your child to love and treasure God’s word.   

 

Explanation of Key Words 

As you explain these key words to your child, be creative. Can you think of other Bible stories that can help explain each word?  

 

Romans 1:16  

Gospel: When you hear the word gospel, what comes to mind? Some people think of “gospel music.” Others know it’s a word used in church, but they aren’t sure of its meaning. The word “gospel” means “good news” or “good tidings.” What good news is contained in the Bible? Our Romans Road Trip this summer will take us on a journey through the good news found in God’s word!  

 

Romans 3:10 

Righteous: The first part of the word “righteous” is the word “right.” Did you know God is right all the time? He never makes a mistake! However, we do not always do right. All of us have said wrong things, thought wrong things, and done wrong things. Because we’ve done wrong things, we are not righteous. God is the only one righteous!  

 

Romans 3:23  

Sin: Do you remember last week when we said we’ve all done wrong? The Bible refers to that as sin. Sin is disobedience to God’s instruction; it’smissing the mark. This week’s verse explains that everyone has sinned. That’s a problem! In next week’s verse, we’ll discover some good news.  

 

Romans 8:8  

Love: Do you love pizza? How about mac n cheese? Most people do. When we say, “I love pizza,” we are saying, “I like pizza a lot!” We like pizza because it tastes good. If it didn’t taste good, we wouldn’t like it! However, the Bible uses the word love differently. God doesn’t love us because we do our best and work hard. God loves us because He made us and cares for us. God’s love is a deep commitment to us.  

His love is far deeper than we can understand!  

 

Romans 5:12 

Death: Death is not a fun word to talk about. Many of us have had pets die or people that we care about. Death is the opposite of life. When Adam and Eve sinned, something inside of them died. They died spiritually, and their bodies began to die physically. Death is the result of sin. Thankfully, Jesus made a way so that we can experience life! When someone knows Jesus, their body may die physically, but they can experience eternal life with Jesus in heaven.  

 

 

Romans 6:23 

Wages: Have you ever done a chore at home? Perhaps your parents gave you a dollar for doing some chores. You worked, and your wage (or payment) was a dollar. Have you ever disobeyed your parents and gotten a spanking, or been sent to a time-out? You disobeyed, and the wage/payment was a spanking/timeout.  

 

When we sin against God, there is a wage/payment—death. This is why Jesus went to the cross. He took our payment so we could receive forgiveness!  

 

Romans 10:9 

Believe: Do you remember when Noah built the ark? God told him that a storm was coming. Even though Noah had never seen a flood, He believed God; He trusted what God said. Do you believe that Jesus loves you? Do you believe that Jesus died for you? Do you believe that Jesus wants to forgive you of your sin? Are you willing to believe him with your whole heart?  

 

Romans 10:13 

Saved: When we believe in Jesus and call upon Him to save us, He rescues us from our sin. He rescues us from the penalty of our sin. To be saved is to experience Jesus’ rescue. Has Jesus rescued you from your sin?  

 

Romans 12:1-2 

Transformed: After we call upon Jesus to save us, His word tells us to begin walking with Him. His word tells us to listen and obey Him. As we obey, God transforms us! He makes us new. Have you ever seen a caterpillar become a butterfly? It was transformed! This is what Jesus does in our lives. He transforms us! Are you willing to let Jesus continue to transform your life?