Part 4 – From Negative to Positive
Discussion Guide
This culture and the world are negative in so many ways. You may be optimistic, naïve, or try to put it out of your mind, but bad things still take place and humanity is flawed. How can you live with joy, peace, hope, and confidence in God? How can you face the future with boldness? How can you overcome the power of sin, even in your thought life? Let’s look at Romans, Chapter 8.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
1. There is no condemnation for me. Read Romans 8:1. What is one area where you have negative self-talk? Why are you now free from condemnation? How does this verse give you hope and relief?
2. I am free from the power of sin. Read Romans 8:2-3. Who gives you the power to overcome sin? How did God accomplish this? Read Romans 8:5-8. What does your thought life have to do with sin, the Spirit, and a sense of peace and life?
3. God will give life to my body. Read Romans 8:10-11. What fears do you have about the future? What “future self” or circumstance are you worried about? How does this verse give you long-term hope and assurance? What does “abundant life” mean to you?
4. I am a child of God. Read Romans 8:14-18. What proves that you belong to God? What benefits do you gain by choosing Jesus? How can we even view suffering in a positive way?
5. Final Thought: Read the last of Romans 8 aloud to yourself this week: Romans 8:19-23, 26-28, 31-39. Do this during your quiet time three or four times over the next week. Get this down in your heart and your spirit!
Deeper
We can individually hear and know the Spirit in this age of the New Covenant, after Jesus ascended. Jesus said, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you” (John 16:7, ESV). Paul says in Romans, “Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children” (Romans 8:16, NLT). To realize what a privilege this is, we need to remember that before Jesus returned and the Spirit was poured out, God only placed His Spirit on one leader at a time, to guide or rescue the nation of Israel. Let’s look at the roles of the Spirit and celebrate that He performs all these functions in our lives today.
6. Genesis 1:1-2, Job 33:4:
7. Isaiah 59:21, 2 Samuel 23:2, Nehemiah 9:20, 30, Psalm 143:10:
8. Genesis 6:3, Psalm 51:11, 139:7, Micah 3:8:
9. Zechariah 4:6, Exodus 31:1-5, Judges 14:5-6; 15:14:
10. Numbers 27:18-20, Judges 3:9-10: