Prepare for Sunday morning worship using the guide below.
Levi Regalado will continue teaching Encounters with Christ in the youth room. This study considers the interactions that Jesus has with different individuals throughout the four gospels.
Josh Herring will begin a new adult education class on Old Testament Wisdom Literature in the Adult 1 classroom.
5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
We are continuing our study in Romans and looking at 5:1-11. Perhaps you remember, in the first four chapters, Paul argued that God has fulfilled his saving promises of the OT so that now all people, Jews and Greeks are part of the family of Abraham and that all receive salvation and enter the family of God through faith in God's Messiah, Jesus. He had made clear that all need salvation, all have fallen short of his glory and all are under the wrath of God because all have exchanged his glory for images and idols. But God in mercy offers a way of salvation in Jesus. In chapters 5 through 8, Paul begins instructing us on the benefits of being justified by faith. He speaks of the hope for those who are right with God. While most see salvation as enjoyed in the future life, here we see is beauty and reality in this life. As you read the passage, you hear the apostle remind us of the present benefits of God's mercy; he then comforts us that our salvation is anchored in the love of God, all the while calling us to long for the glory of God when we shall see God.
What are the benefits of being a Christian? What is most precious to you?
How does suffering produce hope? How have you seen this in your life or the life of another?
How does the death of Jesus while we were yet sinners provide assurance for us? How do I know that God loves me?
If tragedy strikes a friend and he starts to doubt the love of God or his faith, what might you say to him?
If our salvation is secure, can we keep sinning? Why or why not?
What needs to change so that you might think more often on the day where you are with God in his glory? How will this bring greater happiness in life?
How has this scripture changed the way you pray?