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Attention Leaders!

Be prepared for God to speak to your group. The Holy Spirit is with you as you prepare, as you open Scripture, and as you lead discussion. Prayerfully consider the needs of your group; who will be there; and what God has done recently in your group. Remember, aim for balancing discussion and teaching; more sharing than answering; and more listening than telling.

 Sermon Summary (Time Suggestion: 5 mins)

These notes are to help you give your group a quick recap of the weekend sermon in your own words. If God spoke to you personally through the message, do share that too.

This weekend’s message was about those times in life where either a) Life has been going really well and then suddenly you were confronted with a serious crisis OR b) Life has been consistently difficult because of a chronic illness, continuing unemployment, financial hardship, or maybe you’re battling with depression and you suddenly find yourself crying out for God’s help!

These times provide us with an opportunity to recognize our need for God’s help and to choose to have faith that God cares for us and that he is with us. But there are very real struggles to this kind of faith that trusts in the midst of crisis. We want God to act now, but his timing never seems to be in line with the timing that we hope for.

There are several barriers that Andy talked about that stand in the way of faith. First, our self-sufficiency and pride can keep us from acknowledging that we even have a need. Especially a need for God. This is oftentimes the most significant challenge to faith for those who are used to being in control of their lives – financially, vocationally, relationally, physically, etc. Another obstacle to faith is humiliation, shame, and despair over the situation we are in. We think that our needs are beyond hope. We think that our lives are worthless and shameful and we want to hide them from others – including God. This can oftentimes be connected to a chronic illness, family relationships that remain broken, or a continuing struggle with an addiction. In addition, we can experience significant discouragement from the people around us. Sometimes it’s the voices from our culture about what is possible in our lives. Other times, it is our closest friends and family who discourage us from trusting or trying. And unfortunately, we can actually be discouraged by people who follow Jesus. They mean well, but at times, other Christians can give us inaccurate pictures of God and our situation that cause us to doubt that he is good and that he is and will work in our lives. It can seem like there are so many obstacles to faith sometimes.

However, when you choose faith:

You get more than you expect, and you give more than you bargained for.

Tim Keller, in King’s Cross

When we exercise faith, Andy said, we experience power over sin and shame. When we set our eyes on Jesus “the author and perfecter of our faith” who endured the cross for us, we can experience freedom from the guilt and power of sin and the shame that comes from it (Hebrews 12:2). Second, we can experience the power over sickness and death. Throughout the New Testament, we see Jesus and his disciples healing the sick and even raising the dead. And in the Vineyard, we believe still wants to do these things. But we also know that God doesn’t always heal and even in Jesus we see he only raised 3 people from the dead (only J ). And while we have faith that God still heals today, we know that ultimately placing our faith in Jesus opens us the door for us to share in his resurrection from the dead which we will share with him in eternal life after our earthly deaths. In addition, when we experience crisis and difficulty in life and exercise faith, we can experience connection to God. Our God promises that he is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalms 34:18). Finally, when we exercise faith in suffering like the woman with the issue of blood and Jairus, we experience a connection to God’s family that is difficult to experience otherwise. When we allow God’s family to be our family in times of suffering and crisis, there is a closeness that forms that can only come through sharing together in experiences of weakness and need.

I.      Starting points

1. Starting from a place of strength
2. Starting from a place of weakness
3. Starting from somewhere in between

II.      Crisis points

1. An acute sense of need
2. An available opportunity
3. Faith and courage to act

III.      Obstacles to faith

1. The power of self-sufficiency and pride
2. The power of humiliation and despair
3. The power of the crowd
4. The power of shame

IV.      Outcomes of faith

1. Power over sin and shame
2. Power over sickness and death
3. Connection to God
4. Connection to God’s family

Link to the Sermon (Time Suggestion: 5 minutes)

 Andy quoted Marilla Cuthbert, a character in the famous book Anne of Green Gables, stating, “To despair is to turn your back on God.” Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

• Why do you think at times of crisis or difficulty we find it difficult to believe that God is still good or that he still loves us or is still with us?

This Week’s Bible Study

             Text: Romans 8:18-30

 Background and Context

The book of Romans is actually a letter written to the Christians in Rome by the Apostle Paul while he was in Greece around 57 AD, just a little more than 20 years after Jesus’ death and resurrection. While it is debated what the unifying theme(s) of the book is, in this letter Paul makes the gospel the center of everything. The gospel is God’s saving action in Christ, the story of God and his redemptive work in human history that has taken the Christian from the death to life and has changed the world forever. It is a message of grace through the blood of Jesus Christ.

We enter into Paul’s letter as he has given us the good news, the gospel that we no longer have to struggle in constant defeat but because of Jesus’ death, the age of the Spirit has come, the Kingdom of God has come. There is now no more condemnation for us (8:1). We share in Christ’s death and resurrection, and because of this, we’ve been given the gift of the Holy Spirit. Because of the Spirit dwelling in us, we can call God our Father and know that we are his children (v.16). We are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ as we share in Christ’s sufferings and in his glory (v.17).

Study & Discuss

One way to increase participation in small group is to ask people to do something as simple as reading part of the passage. This is a great passage to break into four reading sections. Maybe ask someone who doesn’t participate as much to read a short section.

Read Romans 8:18-30

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.

26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

1. What are some words that seem to stand out to you in this passage? Why did they stand out?

The word “groan” is listed 3 times. “Hope” is used 6 times. A form of the word “glory” 3 times. “Spirit” is used 5 times. “God” is used 6 times. The idea of us being a “child” or “son” is used 3 times.

2. In v. 18, Paul speaks of “present sufferings”. What types of present sufferings do you think they were experiencing? What about you? What are examples of “present sufferings” in our lives or world?

“Present sufferings” in this verse would include the current suffering of Paul and the church but also it is a phrase that Paul uses to speak of all the temporary sufferings that are experienced before Christ returns, when everything is made new and we share in his glory. This can be very comprehensive.

3. Paul makes a very strong statement in v. 18 that we should find great comfort and encouragement when we think about our future glory in comparison to our present sufferings. How do we do this? Has anyone experienced this comfort and encouragement and would you share with the group?

This could certainly open up some dialogue about pain and suffering and possibly some resistance to Paul’s statement. Depending on your group dynamic, you could pose the question, “How would you respond to Paul if he said this to you?” Make sure to not get stuck here as our hope in God’s redemption continues as we work through the passage.

4. In v.19-22, Paul talks a lot about creation. What does Paul say about creation in this present age?

Waits in eager expectation (v.19), subjected to frustration (v.19), groaning (v. 21)

5. In what ways do you see the brokenness, frustration, and decay in creation? Does it surprise you that all of creation is included in God’s plan for redemption? What are some ways this might change the way we treat creation?

Usually we only think of the suffering of humanity when we think about what God cares about, but here, it seems that creation is suffering AND is looking forward to God’s redemption of us. While more Christians are thinking about caring for our environment, for some it is still a difficult issue. However, this passage gives us great insight into God’s concern not only for us as humans but for all of his creation.

6. In v. 19 & v. 21, Paul ties the freedom and liberation, the “making new”, of creation directly to the “children of God being revealed” and sharing in the “freedom and glory of the children of God.” Why do you think creation being made new is so closely tied to our being made new?

It’s interesting that creation longs for our redemption and not directly for its own. Paul does this so that we understand that the primary thrust is on the future glory of God’s people. Creation will participate in these results and so longs for our glory to be revealed!

7. In v.23-25, Paul moves to talking about us (our favorite subject!) and says that we have the “firstfruits of the Spirit”. What do you think this phrase means?

It’s a metaphor that stems from the offering of the first part of the harvest to God in the Old Testament (Ex. 23:16; Lev. 2:12). It was a way of thanking God for the harvest that was to come and confessing that it all comes from God! In the New Testament, God has made Jesus the “firstfruits” of future redemption and resurrection. Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we too will share that hope. In this present life, God has given us the Spirit as a taste of what is to come. Because of the Spirit, we experience God’s presence, his forgiveness, love, healing, and transformation but only in part.

1. In v. 23, we humans join in the groaning and waiting with creation. What is it that Paul says we are waiting for? How does Paul encourage us to wait?
2. Paul mentions “hope” several times in vv. 24-25. How would you define hope? What is something that you find yourself hoping for? How do you handle waiting for something that you hope happens, especially when it is something like a reconciling of a relationship, physical healing, or a significant need?
3. In vv. 26-27, we see that the Spirit joins in the groaning and actually helps us in our waiting. According to Paul, how does the Spirit help us?

In v.26, the idea of the Spirit helping us is significant. It carries the imagery of “sharing the burden”, so that’s it not just that the Spirit comforts us but that he actually bears the load with us in all areas where we are weak.

1. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit helping you in your weakness?
   

2. At the end of v. 27 through v. 30, we see Paul talking a lot about God’s will and God’s purposes for his people. And while we can get caught up finding out what God’s will and purpose is for our lives, Paul reveals significant parts of God’s will and purpose to us in vv. 28-30. What can we know for sure about God’s will and purpose for our lives according to Paul?

In v. 28, we find out that God’s will and purpose is for our good and that he is working in all things. In v. 29, we find out that God’s will is for us to be conformed to the image of Jesus. In v. 30, we find out that God’s will is to justify us as well as glorify us!

3. Does knowing these parts of God’s will and purpose for our lives help in the midst of our “present sufferings”? How or how not?

 Ministry Time

Allow time at the end to welcome the Holy Spirit and wait on Him for direction. We really want people to experience the presence of God personally and small group is the perfect context for this to happen. Model for your group risk taking and a willingness to be dependent on God. Remember that God often comes in power when we are weak!

• Much of this discussion talked about suffering, groaning, waiting, and hoping. This would be a great time, if your group is small enough, to ask if there are any significant needs in the group that the entire group can pray for. Encourage group members to share things that personally affect them. Take time to gather around each person and pray. If your group is larger, give some extra time and break up into groups of 2-3, and do the same thing. Encourage your group to wait on the Holy Spirit to hear how he wants us to pray (vv.26-27)!

• Our hope in this passage for our present lives is that the Holy Spirit is with us and in us, helping us, interceding for us, and showing us how to pray. Take some time whether in the larger group or in smaller groups to invite the Holy Spirit to move in greater power in each other’s lives. He is the one who gives us strength to keep going in the midst of suffering and difficulties. He is also the one who delivers us from them!