Part 4 – From Negative to Positive
Leader 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
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
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?
Leader Note: Make this fun since it is the opening question. I’m fat, I’m dumb, etc. It can get more serious: I’m a sinner, I’ve done bad things. Bring it back to the truth: We are only set free from the condemnation because we belong / believe / trust in Jesus for salvation and for His blood to cover us from sin. If someone thinks their sin is too much, remind them of this: “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (those who realize they are not righteous and feel the weight of their sin), for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:3, NIV).
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?
Leader Note: The Spirit gives us the power and helps us overcome sin and fear (see also Romans 8:15-16). God accomplished this by sending His own Son, then making Him the perfect sacrifice. Jesus willingly laid down His life for us. We can be controlled by the Spirit if we allow it; we can choose to think thoughts that please God. We can start off our day with a positive perspective – a quiet time - and continue that momentum throughout the day. Our sinful, fleshly thoughts lead to physical and spiritual death. Focusing on the things of God and thinking about them lead to “life and peace.” We can choose what we read, listen to, who we hang with: we can ask God what pleases Him and turn from the other stuff.
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?
Leader Note: Aging, dementia, addictions, not having the money to retire, etc. Being led by the Spirit is a sign you belong to God. Even though our bodies will die because of sin (the curse in the Garden when Adam and Eve disobeyed), the Spirit will cause us to live forever because we have been made right with God. “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you.” That is ultimate victory. We do not have to worry about death, cancer, persecution, World War III because we will be alive forever. Jesus is our safety. The news is not. He is our Shepherd and He alone will keep us safe.
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?
Leader Note: Being led by the Spirit is a sign you belong to God. A Spirit of boldness and closeness to God confirms you belong to God. You can call Him “Father/Daddy” and commune directly with Him. Since Jesus is your Savior and Lord, the Spirit gives us the ability to overcome all things: He is enough for us. Jesus fills the gaps of fear, hopelessness, shame, guilt, and addiction. We are also heirs to all that Christ inherits as a Son; Jesus meets our needs and provides for us. We will see God’s glory, now in this life and forever in heaven with Him. Even in times of suffering and pain, we sense His presence and His glory when there are miracles. Or grace when He strengthens us over time or comforts us in our grief. And even if we suffer now, it is nothing compared to what we gain later.
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!
Leader Note: You might want to read part of this in your group aloud. You might want to “pray it” at the end of your Life Group. But please remind your group to do this for themselves over the next week!
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
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: LN: The Spirit is involved in creating and sustaining life.
7. Isaiah 59:21, 2 Samuel 23:2, Nehemiah 9:20, 30, Psalm 143:10: LN: the Spirt speaks God’s words; He taught and led.
8. Genesis 6:3, Psalm 51:11, 139:7, Micah 3:8: LN: The Spirit convicts of evil and encourages holiness and relationship with God.
9. Zechariah 4:6, Exodus 31:1-5, Judges 14:5-6; 15:14: LN: The Spirit empowers and gifts people to specific tasks, feats, or abilities.
10. Numbers 27:18-20, Judges 3:9-10: LN: The Spirit anointed INDIVIDUALS to lead and rescue the people. In the New Covenant, we are all indwelt by the Spirit.