Community Group Discussion Guide: Hope Read Romans 8:14-31 NASB95 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. [15] For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” [16] The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. [19] For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly 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 also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. [22] For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. [23] And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. [24] For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? [25] But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. [26] In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; [27] and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. [28] And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. [29] For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; [30] and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. [31] What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? Icebreakers:
Big Idea: The Hymn, The Solid Rock makes this bold declaration: "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus name! On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand. All other ground is sinking sand." It is so easy in an affluent society to "trust the sweetest frame." We get a sense of security from our material wealth and relatively peaceful life. We are untouched by poverty and hunger and are surrounded by creature comforts. So, the question needs to be asked: "Is my hope build on the Solid Rock or other things?" Without exception, every one of us will face situations in life that cannot be solved or even faced with a hope built on temporal substance. At some point in time, we will all walk through the valley of the shadow of death. At that moment the creature comforts and the fleeting security of wealth will be of no use. For those whose trust is in the Lord, there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. There is always the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit. There is always hope for a victorious outcome. There is always a Champion standing with us.
Digging Deeper: The 8th Chapter of Romans is perhaps the most hopeful chapter in the Bible. It bursts with hope. It does not paint a Pollyanna view of the world. It speaks of the suffering of the world and of the saints, but it looks beyond the troubles of this world to the Blessed Hope that is found in God. Verses 14-18: [14] For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. [15] For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” [16] The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, [17] and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him. [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
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Community Group Discussion Guide: Word of Your Testimony Read: Revelation 12:7-11. NASB95 And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, [8] and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. [9] And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. [10] Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. [11] And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. Icebreakers:
Digging Deeper: John starts the narrative of Revelation, chapter 12, with a vision of a war in the heavens. It is a clash between the powers of darkness and Michael and the angels against Satan (Dragon) and his allies. Read verses 7-9: [7] And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon. The dragon and his angels waged war, [8] and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven. [9] And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.
Wrap-up: Think of the “Word of your Testimony,” as the legal record of your life. If you were standing in a court before a judge, what evidence is there in your life that verifies what you living what you profess to believe? "The Word of their Testimony" is referring to Believers who are living for Christ and willing to die for Him.
Community Group Discussion Guide: Grace Read: Luke 6:27-38 NASB95 “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. [29] Whoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. [30] Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. [31] Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. [32] If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. [33] If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. [34] If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount. [35] But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men. [36] Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. [37] “Do not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; pardon, and you will be pardoned. [38] Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.” Icebreakers:
Big Idea: God is good and full of grace. When it comes to "us," we are not so good and not known as creatures that are full of grace. In most New Testament texts, grace is mentioned as an attribute of God. Grace (Geek: Charis) is generally defined as the spontaneous, unilateral, unmerited gift of God’s favor that ultimately leads to salvation. The concept of God's grace is encapsulated in Romans 5:8: But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Digging Deeper: Jesus gives his audience a definitive teaching on grace. His teaching is challenging from the first sentence, where Jesus challenges His listeners with these words: "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you." Read verses 27,28: [27] “But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, [28] bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
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