Session #8 - Romans 8.18-25 - Leaders
LIFE GROUPS:
SESSION 8: FROM HARDSHIP TO HOPE
Leader’s Discussion Guide
SERMON PASSAGE FOR SESSION #8 Romans 8:188:18-25— 25 — For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
INTRODUCTION: Icebreaker— Icebreaker— Discussion: ♦ Do you classify yourself as a hopeful person or a pessimistic person? How do those around you classify you?
♦ What is the greatest source of discouragement in your life? What is the
greatest source of hope?
♦ In general, do you find Christians to be hopeful people or pessimistic
people?
♦ Who should be the most hopeful people? Leader’s Note: Christians should be the MOST hopeful people because we actually have something to hope for. Without Jesus, what is there to hope for? With Jesus, we have the best reason to be hopeful.
♦ Why do many believers still struggle with keeping hope? Leader’s Note: The answer is that this world is hard. There is death, pain, disease, crime, hate, sin...therefore, when we experience these things, it is hard to remember that there is something better yet to come. As leaders, let people wrestle with this question a bit as it is a reality for many in the church today.
INVESTIGATION: Read Genesis chapter 3 and then answer the following questions: ♦ Why do we find ourselves in a world with so much pain and suffering? Is this how it was meant to be?
♦ How can we see God’s perfect plan and God’s never-ending grace even in a
passage that is full of punishment? Leader’s Note: There are many glimpses of God’s grace. Here are four worth mentioning. (1) God comes to Adam and Eve after they sin. He isn’t really wondering where they are. He is a God of relationship who is responding relationally to their rebellion. (2) Verse 15 is the first mention of the Gospel. God already has a plan for redemption in mind. In fact, according to Ephesians 1:3-6, God planned this before He even created the world. (3) God performs the first animal sacrifice to cover (literally, atone for) their nakedness, replacing the fig leaves with clothes made from animal skin. (4) God drives Adam and Eve out of the garden and away from the Tree of Life. We are told in verse 22 that this is an act of grace, as God didn’t allow us to live forever in a sinful and corrupt state. Rather, through death, He gives us a means of being glorified.
♦ How does the fact that God responds to ultimate rebellion with grace and
a plan for redemption help you better understand the character of God?
Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 and answer the following questions: ♦ What are we told Christians face in this life from these verses? Can you relate?
♦ What response does the Gospel demand even in the face of trials, suffering
and even death? (verse 16).
♦ How would you describe the suffering Paul speaks of in this passage?
♦ In contrast, how does Paul describe it, thanks to the hope of the Gospel?
(Verse 17) How does this compare to how you view the trials you are facing? Leader’s Note: Paul says that our present suffering is “light and momentary affliction.” That should be our perspective as believers. Whatever we face is light and momentary compared to the glory that is to come. That gives us hope in the face of the worst of circumstances.
INTEGRATION: ♦ In light of this discussion, do you possess the correct perspective on this
life and the suffering that comes along with it?
♦ What is one specific circumstance where the reality of the Gospel needs to
be applied to give you the hope you can and should possess?
♦ Who is someone you need to share this hope and perspective with this
week?
SESSION 8: FROM HARDSHIP TO HOPE
Leader’s Discussion Guide
SERMON PASSAGE FOR SESSION #8 Romans 8:188:18-25— 25 — For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
INTRODUCTION: Icebreaker— Icebreaker— Discussion: ♦ Do you classify yourself as a hopeful person or a pessimistic person? How do those around you classify you?
♦ What is the greatest source of discouragement in your life? What is the
greatest source of hope?
♦ In general, do you find Christians to be hopeful people or pessimistic
people?
♦ Who should be the most hopeful people? Leader’s Note: Christians should be the MOST hopeful people because we actually have something to hope for. Without Jesus, what is there to hope for? With Jesus, we have the best reason to be hopeful.
♦ Why do many believers still struggle with keeping hope? Leader’s Note: The answer is that this world is hard. There is death, pain, disease, crime, hate, sin...therefore, when we experience these things, it is hard to remember that there is something better yet to come. As leaders, let people wrestle with this question a bit as it is a reality for many in the church today.
INVESTIGATION: Read Genesis chapter 3 and then answer the following questions: ♦ Why do we find ourselves in a world with so much pain and suffering? Is this how it was meant to be?
♦ How can we see God’s perfect plan and God’s never-ending grace even in a
passage that is full of punishment? Leader’s Note: There are many glimpses of God’s grace. Here are four worth mentioning. (1) God comes to Adam and Eve after they sin. He isn’t really wondering where they are. He is a God of relationship who is responding relationally to their rebellion. (2) Verse 15 is the first mention of the Gospel. God already has a plan for redemption in mind. In fact, according to Ephesians 1:3-6, God planned this before He even created the world. (3) God performs the first animal sacrifice to cover (literally, atone for) their nakedness, replacing the fig leaves with clothes made from animal skin. (4) God drives Adam and Eve out of the garden and away from the Tree of Life. We are told in verse 22 that this is an act of grace, as God didn’t allow us to live forever in a sinful and corrupt state. Rather, through death, He gives us a means of being glorified.
♦ How does the fact that God responds to ultimate rebellion with grace and
a plan for redemption help you better understand the character of God?
Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 and answer the following questions: ♦ What are we told Christians face in this life from these verses? Can you relate?
♦ What response does the Gospel demand even in the face of trials, suffering
and even death? (verse 16).
♦ How would you describe the suffering Paul speaks of in this passage?
♦ In contrast, how does Paul describe it, thanks to the hope of the Gospel?
(Verse 17) How does this compare to how you view the trials you are facing? Leader’s Note: Paul says that our present suffering is “light and momentary affliction.” That should be our perspective as believers. Whatever we face is light and momentary compared to the glory that is to come. That gives us hope in the face of the worst of circumstances.
INTEGRATION: ♦ In light of this discussion, do you possess the correct perspective on this
life and the suffering that comes along with it?
♦ What is one specific circumstance where the reality of the Gospel needs to
be applied to give you the hope you can and should possess?
♦ Who is someone you need to share this hope and perspective with this
week?
