Single lesson
Romans 10: The Word Brings Salvation
Romans 10:1–21
Romans 10 explains how salvation is connected with believing in Jesus and hearing the message about him. This lesson helps children notice Paul’s main point and see how the passage moves from belief, to hearing, to telling others.
Before you teach
In this passage, Paul begins by speaking about his prayer for Israel to be saved. He contrasts trying to establish one’s own righteousness with God’s righteousness, then explains faith in Christ, calling on the Lord, and the need for people to hear the word of God. Paul ends by quoting Scripture about hearing, response, and disobedience.
Students will be able to explain from Romans 10 that salvation is connected with believing in Jesus, confessing him as Lord, and hearing the word about him.
Welcome: What messages matter most?
4 minAsk the children to name messages people need to hear, such as a warning, an invitation, or good news. Then explain that Romans 10 is about the message people need to hear about Jesus. Introduce the lesson aim in simple words: we are listening for what Paul says brings salvation and why hearing the message matters.
Romans 10:8, Romans 10:14, Romans 10:17
Read and explain: Believe in your heart, confess with your mouth
8 minRead Romans 10:1-13 aloud. Explain that Paul cares deeply that people may be saved. Point out the contrast between seeking one’s own righteousness and receiving righteousness through Christ. Slow down over verses 9-10. In this passage, Paul says salvation is connected with believing in the heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and confessing with the mouth that Jesus is Lord.
Romans 10:1, Romans 10:3, Romans 10:4, Romans 10:8, Romans 10:9, Romans 10:10, Romans 10:13
Discuss: How can people believe if they have not heard?
6 minRead Romans 10:14-17. Help the children trace Paul’s questions in order: call, believe, hear, preacher, sent. Explain that Paul is showing why the good news must be spoken so people can hear it. Finish with verse 17 and repeat it together. Faith, in this passage, comes by hearing the word of God.
Romans 10:14, Romans 10:15, Romans 10:16, Romans 10:17
Make and respond: Word reminder card
8 minChildren choose one key verse or phrase from the passage, such as ‘Jesus is Lord’, ‘Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved’, or ‘Faith comes by hearing’. They write it on a small card and add a simple symbol like ears, a mouth, or a heart. Invite each child to explain how their chosen words connect to Paul’s teaching.
Romans 10:9, Romans 10:13, Romans 10:17
Closing: Hearing and responding to God’s word
4 minRead Romans 10:18-21 and explain briefly that hearing a message does not always mean listening obediently. Paul says God had spoken, yet many were disobedient and contrary. Encourage the children to think about one way to respond well to God’s word this week, such as listening carefully, remembering a verse, or speaking truthfully about Jesus.
Romans 10:18, Romans 10:19, Romans 10:20, Romans 10:21
Questions to explore
Why does Paul say Israel still needs to be saved, even though they have zeal for God?
Guide children to notice that zeal by itself is not enough, because Paul says their zeal was not according to knowledge and they sought their own righteousness instead of submitting to God’s righteousness.
Romans 10:1, Romans 10:2, Romans 10:3
What two responses does Paul mention in connection with salvation in verses 9 and 10?
Help them answer directly from the verses: believing in the heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, and confessing with the mouth that Jesus is Lord.
Romans 10:9, Romans 10:10
According to Paul’s chain of questions, why is hearing the message so important?
Lead children through the order in the text: people call on the Lord after believing, believe after hearing, and hear when the message is preached.
Romans 10:14, Romans 10:15, Romans 10:17
Make, think or respond
Romans 10 Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- Plain paper or card
- Pencils or pens
- Coloured pencils or crayons
- Scissors
Try it together
- Read aloud Romans 10:9, Romans 10:13, and Romans 10:17, then let each child choose one verse or short phrase.
- Fold or cut paper into a small card and write the chosen words neatly on the front.
- Add one simple picture that matches the verse, such as a heart, mouth, ears, or footprints.
- On the back, write one short sentence about what the verse teaches from Romans 10.
- Invite children to show their card and read their verse aloud.
This activity helps children remember Paul’s teaching that salvation is connected with believing in Jesus and that faith comes by hearing the word of God.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer two verse choices only and let them copy a short phrase such as ‘Jesus is Lord’ or ‘Faith comes by hearing’.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to include a second sentence explaining how Romans 10:14-17 connects hearing with sharing the good news.
An optional closing prayer
You may pray: ‘God, thank you for your word. Please help us listen carefully, believe what is true about Jesus, and speak about him honestly and clearly. Amen.’
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Romans 10
1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God is for Israel, that they may be saved.
2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, they didn’t subject themselves to the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the fulfillment of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness of the law, “The one who does them will live by them.”
6 But the righteousness which is of faith says this, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (that is, to bring Christ down);
7 or, ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead.)”
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart;” that is, the word of faith which we preach:
9 that if you will 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 resulting in righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation.
11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.”
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him.
13 For, “Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in him whom they have not heard? How will they hear without a preacher?
15 And how will they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!”
16 But they didn’t all listen to the glad news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”
17 So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, didn’t they hear? Yes, most certainly, “Their sound went out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.”
19 But I ask, didn’t Israel know? First Moses says, “I will provoke you to jealousy with that which is no nation. I will make you angry with a nation void of understanding.”
20 Isaiah is very bold and says, “I was found by those who didn’t seek me. I was revealed to those who didn’t ask for me.”
21 But about Israel he says, “All day long I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.