Study Guide
Romans Part 12
Have you ever asked if our suffering might have a purpose that's even bigger than the difficulty it brings? Listen in as Pastor Markus Witherspoon, from our Tierrasanta campus, challenges us to put our present afflictions in perspective to the eternal promises of God.
In this message you will be challenged and encouraged to:
- See our suffering through a redemptive lens
- Lean into the Spirit's help in our hardship
Newbreak’s Sermon Study Guide is an in-house resource that serves sermon-based Life Groups and/or individuals who want to reflect further on how the message contributes to their spiritual formation.
Icebreakers for Life Groups
- If you could get advice from any person, who would you choose? What would you ask?
- What is something that you are really looking forward to this year?
Read Romans 8:16-25 (CSB)
Our present suffering cannot compare to our future glory.
If you have never seen The Lord of the Rings movies, watching them for the first time can be an intense experience. Frodo, the main protagonist, faces countless perilous moments, leaving you constantly wondering how he'll survive. But by the end of the final film, you can finally breathe a sigh of relief—good triumphs over evil, and the journey is a success. Having seen the movies multiple times, I no longer feel the same tension. Instead, I find comfort in knowing how it all ends, allowing me to appreciate the story without the suspense.
Similarly, Paul wants believers to understand that their present trials are nothing compared to the glory that awaits them (vs.18). Just as all of creation longs for the restoration of all things, we too, feel a deep longing in our spirit for what is to come (vs.19-23). In other words, Paul encourages them to look ahead to the end of their story, knowing that Christ has already secured a place for them.
Likewise, though we face hardships and trials now, we, too, must keep our eyes on the future-allowing the hope of our adoption as children of God to guide us through our present struggles (vs.23-25).
Discussion Questions
- Paul references the “sufferings of this present time” in verse 18. What are some of the things that you are currently “suffering” through? How does this verse encourage you in them?
- In verse 23, Paul mentions that believers “have the Spirit as the firstfruits.” What does it mean to you that the Holy Spirit is the "firstfruits" in your life, and how does this influence your daily walk with Christ?
- Why do you think the restoration of creation matters to God? What role do we play in stewarding His creation? (See Genesis 1:27-28)
Read Romans 8:26-30 (CSB)
Invite the Holy Spirit to stand in the gap with you and for you.
If you have ever been in the process of moving, you know how difficult it can be to not only sort through what is staying and what is going, but also to move the boxes from one location to another. What do we do when it’s time to move? We call that one friend with a truck! Why? Because it is another pair of hands and the truck will help haul the boxes that you otherwise wouldn’t be able to carry on your own. This is similar to how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. The Holy Spirit comes alongside us and helps us “move” to wherever God is leading us.
Paul’s purpose in this portion of Romans 8 is to highlight the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers. The Holy Spirit is available to Christ-followers and the power of the Spirit strengthens us in our areas of weakness. The focus on the Spirit here is in the realm of prayer. When the people of God do not know how to pray, the Spirit will intercede them with wordless groans that express the needs of God’s children to God Himself.
What does God do with our prayers, our needs, our desires, and our frustrations as they rise to Him? The Spirit reminds us that even when our lives feel out of control, God is still bringing everything into alignment with His perfect plan. Whatever we may face, we have this confidence that God is working it all together for our good and His glory. Remember first that God loved us, we then have the ability to love Him and experience His calling in our lives.
Discussion Questions
- How does the idea of the Holy Spirit interceding for you, impact your view of prayer during times of difficulty?
- According to Romans 8:28 “All things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to His purpose.” How have you seen this truth become a reality in your own life?
- In verse 29 Paul shares that God chose for us to be “conformed” into the image of Jesus. In what areas of your life do you feel God is shaping or refining you to become more like Christ?
When in Romans
In the middle of the first century, in the heart of the Roman empire was a group of house churches that believed that Jesus of Nazareth, crucified and risen from the dead, was the true Lord of the world! The Romans had to be some of the bravest, most tested Christ-followers as they were heavily persecuted by the rulers of the day. Therefore, Paul writes a letter to them, expressing what he wishes he could say in person to them. The contents of this letter are so revolutionary that for 2,000 years churches all around the globe read it, reflect on it, and apply these truths to their lives. Join us as we venture through Romans and see how the gospel's message gives us a new identity and a new way to live!