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Small Group Questions
Romans 8:28-39
Sermon Title: THE CONFIDENCE
THAT CONQUERS
Series Title: Putting Life Together In A Pull-Apart World #16
Week of 6 March 2016
Scripture Reference: Romans 8:28-39
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who
love God and are called according to his purpose for them.29 For God knew his people in
advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn
among many brothers and sisters.30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to
him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given
them right standing, he gave them his glory.
31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever
be against us?32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't
he also give us everything else?33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his
own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself.34 Who then will
condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is
sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us.
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us
if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or
threatened with death?36 (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we
are being slaughtered like sheep.")37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is
ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death
nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about
tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love.39 No power in the
sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate
us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Theme/ Concept: This is one of the most edifying passages in all of Paul’s writings, indeed in all Scripture.
God’s sovereignty love gives us the unwavering confidence to face the most trying circumstances with strength
and peace. Application: God with us in Jesus Christ means God for us in all things.
Opening Question
A question similar to the following can help your small group start sharing and give everyone an opportunity to
contribute. You might help your group members apply the scripture to their lives by sending them the question
a few days before you meet to prepare for the discussion.
O1. Think of the time in your life when you felt either the greatest hardship or the
most separated from God? How did you get through that time? How would
your coworker/client/friend answer these questions?
Understanding the Scripture
A question like one of the following may help your group understand the content of the passage.
U1. What evidence is given in this passage for the extent of God's generosity and
grace?
U2. To whom do the phrases “those who… are called...” and “his people” [verse
28-29] refer? How did they obtain right standing?
U3. How is Jesus using His “place of honor”?
U4. What is a main concept of Ephesians 1:3-14 and how does it relate to Romans
8?
U5. What key words appear in every verse from 35-39? Why did Paul emphasize
this?
U6. What would you say is a central message of this passage?
Applying the Scripture
Small groups provide sacred space for this life-changing transformation and are essential in building authentic
community. We have found when all our small groups live by a set of core values, we can stay on our mission
of making disciples as a church. The five values can be found in the Small Group Leader Resources.
Every small group is different, use the questions that will be the most useful to your group members' growth. If
you cover one goal one week, try to use a different section the next week to cover all the values.
Upward (Connecting to God)
A1. What element of this passage are you most grateful for?
A2. What is the most troubling aspect of this passage? What questions would
you ask God about it?
A3. Which of the following words best describes your relationship with God?
Confidence, Joy, Peace, Perseverance, Faithfulness, Trust
Inward (Connecting to each other)
A4. What do the people referred to as “his people” [vs 29] have in common?
A5. How different are “his people” from each other? In what dimensions or
respects are they different?
A6. To what extent is God's love shown to us through human relationships?
A7. If we used concepts of this passage as a model for our relationships, how
would it affect those relationships?
Outward (Serving through mission & outreach)
A8. What about persecution is most disturbing to you?
A9. How could you learn more about persecution that occurs?
A10. How is God's love penetrating that persecution?
A11. Who within a few miles of your home or work feels most “destitute” [vs 35]?
A12. To what extent do you think they (previous question) feel separated from
God's love?
A13. How does 1 John 4:19 relate to this passage?
A14. What location on Earth most needs God's love, joy or peace that you would
be willing to go to? How would you feel most comfortable communicating
God's love, joy or peace there?
Forward (Equipping)
A15. What aspect of God's character included in this passage seems most
admirable to you?
A16. In what aspect of your character would you like to grow?
Onward (Discipling)
A17. Of all the people you know, who would be most encouraged by the central
message of this passage?
A18. Who do you know who feels the least chosen by God?
A19. How could that change for them?
Closing Prayer
If your small group prays together, some of the following concepts might be helpful to invite the Holy Spirit
to help each member of the group grow in areas that may have come up during the group's discussion.
Thank God for your small group. Pray for someone who came up in the conversation.
Pray that God's love would be reflected by us to all people regardless of how different they
are. Pray about going on a short-term mission or combining a vacation with a visit to
encourage and learn first-hand about a ministry or missionary. Pray for someone who is
not in a Christian small group. Thank God for His generosity and for the tremendous
beneficial impact it has on all people.