NASHVILLE (BP) – This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with Lifeway Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, Lifeway publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.
This week’s Bible study is adapted from the Bible Studies For Life curriculum.
Bible Passage: Romans 8:28-39
Discussion Questions:
- When have you had feelings of insecurity that later proved unfounded?
- In your life, when has a difficult situation worked for good?
- When have you found God’s promise of unfailing love especially encouraging?
Food for Thought:
Because of Christ, nothing will keep us from God and His work in our lives. In Romans 8, Paul turned his focus to the lifegiving and freeing work of the Holy Spirit. We are not left alone to live for Christ; His Spirit indwells every believer to empower us to live the righteous life God calls us to. Even as we face life’s difficulties, we have the Spirit with us and interceding for us. In all this, Paul pointed us to the hope and security we have because of the completed work of Jesus.
Romans 8:28 is a beloved passage for many Christians, because it reminds us that none of the setbacks or problems we face can thwart God’s good purpose for our lives. In fact, those very problems can be a part of God’s way of bringing about His good purpose in us. What an encouraging word related to our hope and security! No matter what may come our way, no matter what curveball life is about to throw at us, God will leverage it for our good. This does not mean every life circumstance will be good, but the Lord will bring good out of whatever situations we face.
As much as we love to quote Romans 8:28, we often fail to read it with verse 29 in mind: God’s purpose is for us “to be conformed to the image of His Son.” God wants to use everything we experience to make us more and more like Jesus.
As God’s children, we are secure. Very secure. If God is for us, who is against us? No one is greater than God, and since God is on our side, we have no worries.
What could possibly separate us from Christ and His love?
- Would persecution do it?
- What about illness?
- Could pain or suffering blind us to the reality of Christ in our lives?
- What about supernatural powers like angels and demons?
- What about death? No, not even death can pull us away from Jesus.
The truth remains the same: Nothing can separate us from Christ’s love.
Bible Studies for Life
Bible Studies for Life connects the Bible to life for adults, students and kids. Bible Studies for Life helps individuals and groups know God’s Word through trustworthy content, creates biblical community through engaging and conversational group studies, and helps people engage the culture missionally by unpacking what the Bible says about real-life issues. More information can be found on the internet at biblestudiesforlife.com.