If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (NIV)

Romans 8:26-30 (NIV)

²⁶ In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. ²⁷ And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.

²⁸ And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. ²⁹ For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Q: ³¹ What shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

Q: ³³ Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen?

A: It is God who justifies.

Q: ³⁴ Who then is the one who condemns?

A: No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.

Q: ³⁵ Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? ³⁶ As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we areconsidered as sheep to be slaughtered.”

A: ³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God is for us:

▪ generosity

graciously give us all things

Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:17 (NIV)

▪no condemnation

It is God who justifies

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1 (NIV)

▪advocacy

also interceding for us

The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children… the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. Romans 8:16, 26 (NIV)

▪union

Nor anything in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 (NIV)

CONNECT WITH GOD (Select the below practice or choose a practice from the previous week) 

• Collective Prayer for the World

As your spiritual practice this week, pray together. First, read the prayer by John Calvin and then pray with the below prayer (the bold should be read in unison). Make room for the movement of the Holy Spirit as you pray, adding specific prayers after each petition.

“Save us, Lord, from being self-centered in our prayers, and teach us to remember to pray for others. May we be so caught up in love for those for whom we pray, that we may feel their needs as keenly as our own, and pray for them with imagination, sensitivity, and knowledge. We ask this in Christ’s name. Amen.” -John Calvin

God of compassion, hear our prayers for the world you love.

For your church in every place, that we may worship and serve

you faithfully…

God of grace, hear our prayer.

For violence and war, that there may be peace…

God of grace, hear our prayer.

For justice throughout the world, that there may be flourishing for all…

God of grace, hear our prayer.

For those who hunger and thirst, that they may be filled with

good things…

God of grace, hear our prayer.

For those who are ill, that they may know your loving care…

God of grace, hear our prayer.

CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER 

• Read Romans 8:31-39 alone and together.
• Journal (10 minutes) 
• Which question/answer in the passage most resonates with you right now? Why?
• Reflect together (in pairs): Spend 5-7 minutes sharing your journal responses, reflections, or questions.

CONNECT WITH SCRIPTURE (Select the best questions or customize the questions for your group.) Read Romans 8:31-39 and any additional scripture passages from the message outline.

• Review the main points from the sermon outline.
• Which stories, quotes, or questions from the message have stuck with you this week?
• Why does the context of the early Romans churches matter when considering Paul’s words to them in 8:31-39?
• What do you think about condemnation? How might verse 31 bring you freedom or deeper intimacy with God and one another?
• What does it mean when Paul says that God will “graciously give us all things?” in verse 32? How could that verse be misapplied in our lives?
• What is the feeling or tone of Paul’s words in 8:35-39?

CONNECT WITH GOD’S MISSION IN THE WORLD (select one question for discussion)

• How does the graciousness and generosity of God change how we ourselves practice generosity to one another and to those outside of our church?
• How do you enter into the hard things of the world while keeping a balance between the promises of Romans 8:31-39 and the realities of our groaning in 8:22-26?

PRAYER 

Offer thanks to God for the promises of Romans 8:31-39. Share your laments, concerns, joys as a whole group or in smaller breakout groups. Pray for one another: that no one will fall into despair but will assured that nothing will separate us from the love of Christ.