Study Guide
Romans Part 6: Perseverance
Trials and hardships come for us all. But what if these are not meant to be viewed as threatening the foundation of our standing with God? What if these were meant for character transformation? Listen in as Pastor JoAnn Johnson, our Lead Pastor, as she helps us see God's hope in our trials.
In this message you will be challenged and encouraged to:
- Take advantage of the access to God we are given in Christ
- Embrace hope in the thick of hardships
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
- What’s a personal goal you’ve worked hard to achieve? How did you stay motivated when things get tough?
- Who is someone who inspires you with their perseverance?
Read Romans 5:1-2 (CSB)
Peace with God is possible.
We spent the first five weeks in Romans discussing how sin has spoiled everything, especially us as human beings. The good news is that God has gone to painstaking efforts–literally through the cross–to take our sins and make us right with him. In Romans 5:1, we hit a transition point marked by the word “therefore.” Paul now transitions from discussing the MEANS of our justification to the RESULTS of our justification.
The first result or benefit of our justification by grace through faith is our peace with God (vs.1). In this passage, the term "peace” signifies complete and unrestricted fellowship, contrasting with a state of conflict or opposition. Because of our saving relationship with Jesus, we are no longer battling with God. We are now at peace with Him.
Paul points out another benefit that we receive: total access to God by His grace (vs.2a). We stand firm in His grace and look forward to the future hope of His glory in eternity (2b).
Because we have peace with God through the grace He gives, we can approach Him boldly, not striving to earn His love or favor through our actions. We don’t need to work to earn God’s favor because we already have it. God’s grace makes us acceptable to Him (justification) and transforms us to look more like Him every day (sanctification). We remain confident that He will continue this work in us until we see Him face-to-face in glory (Phil 1:6).
Discussion Questions
- What would you say is the difference between having peace with God and experiencing the peace of God?
- Would you describe your relationship with God as peaceful, or do you struggle to find peace with Him? What would you say to someone who is struggling to find peace with God?
- How does knowing that you have direct access to God change the way you pray?
- What would it look like to depend on the grace of God more in your daily life?
Read Romans 5:3-5 (CSB)
God transforms hardships into hope.
In verses 3-5, Paul encourages us to boast in our afflictions in this life, knowing that they serve a divine purpose of making us look more like Jesus. The term “affliction” refers to life’s hardships and suffering. When we face challenges, God can use them to help produce in us the ability to endure (vs.3b).
Endurance has been described as the “staying power.” It’s like being in a boat, putting down an anchor, and weathering a storm. Endurance can then produce “proven” godly character (vs.4a).
The proven character then creates an unbreakable hope in our hearts (vs.4b). This hope isn’t based on some flimsy, circumstantial dream that “the sun will come out tomorrow.” It is found in God, who is our refuge in the storms of life and the one who pours out love in our hearts when we need it most (vs.5).
Discussion Questions
- When did Paul model endurance as a follower of Jesus? How does his example encourage you in your current situations?
- How has God grown your character through past trials? What value or growth have you seen in your life because of hardship?
- In what areas of your life do you need to remind yourself that God’s love is present in your hardship?
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!