4. What were your biggest takeaways from today’s message? 5. Read Romans 8:26 . Have you seen groaning as a legitimate way to pray, or do you feel you need to offer God a lot of words? Before Paul’s talk, would you have seen “God help me” as a holy prayer? 6. How does knowing that the Spirit intercedes for us change the way you think about prayer, especially in times of suffering? 7. Read Romans 8:28 . Has anyone ever quoted that verse when you were in crisis? How did you respond, or how do you think you would have responded? Read Romans 8:29–30 . How do these verses shape or change the meaning of Romans 8:28 ? 8. Read Revelation 21:1–5 . What do you find encouraging about this passage? Does this picture of what is to come change your perspective on suffering? Why or why not? 9. What are your what-ifs, meaning your fears that the worst will happen and God will not come through? Can anyone put Romans 8:32 in their own words? How does this verse speak to those fears? 10. Paul said in his talk that “ sometimes the suffering is the provision ” and “ weakness is a workroom for grace. ” What do those statements mean to you? Have you ever experienced the truth of either one? Explain. 11. Read Romans 8:38–39 . In your suffering have you ever been assaulted by thoughts and questions like: “ If God loves me, why did this happen ?” Since we know God loves us, how does changing the question to “ Because God loves me, why did this happen? ” affect what you tell yourself in suffering?
FOR PERSONAL APPLICATION These aspects of the study can be used in between group sessions on your own, either with your spouse or individually as part of your devotional and confession life.
Do Something During the week ahead, turn your learning into doing. 1. Notice what God is doing for you.
Read Romans 8:26–39 carefully. As you read, write down all the things God is doing for you in this passage and all that he has promised you. Pay attention to how active God is throughout
these verses, especially in the midst of suffering. 2. Share what you are learning with someone else.
Think about someone in your life who is struggling. Prayerfully consider how you might share with them what you’ve learned through this series. Follow up with a phone call, an in-person conversation, or even a text, to encourage them.
Session 3
GOSPEL HOPE
9
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