Connect When is a time in your life in which you’ve had to trust in God’s character and promises even amidst circumstances that could have caused you to doubt? Pray for an opportunity to share that story with someone.
Warm-Up
- As you see things advertised, what sort of benefits do most advertisers try to appeal to?
- As a Christian, what have been the greatest blessings that you have known through Christ?
Read Romans 5:1-4
- Since we have been justified by faith, what — does Paul — say we have? What does this mean?
- How has peace with God made a difference in your life? How do you enjoy that peace day-to-day?
- Do you think it is ever possible to take this peace for granted? What did it cost God?
- What does it mean to stand in grace? How was this radical compared to God’s people in the Old Testament?
- What types of things do people most often boast about today? What does it mean to “boast in the hope of the glory of God”? When do you boast in the hope of the glory of God?
- What does suffering produce? How have you known this to be true? Does this mean all suffering is good?
Read Romans 5:5-8
- As a Christian do you ever feel shame? Why should we not feel shame according to Paul?
- What does it mean to you to know that God’s love has been poured into your heart?
- If you ever doubt God’s love, what is the concrete action by God to which we can and should look?
- Why does our unworthiness particularly shine a light on the fullness of God’s love for us?
Read Romans 5:9-11
- What does Paul say that we are saved from? What does wrath mean?
- Paul says that we are saved by Jesus’ death and also, what? Why is the resurrection significant?
- How should having access to the living Lord be reflected in our lives everyday? What are rhythms and ways in your life in which you get to delight in — and with — the one who conquered the grave?
- What does it mean to boast in God? Practically, where are your opportunities to boast in God?
- How is boasting in God counter-cultural? What would be a helpful approach to boasting in God? What makes our boasting a helpful pointed to God?
- What are opportunities you have this week, through what you are facing, to boast in the Lord?
Apply What opportunity this week, in all you are facing, to boast in the Lord?
