Romans 8:37-39 In these verses Paul continues his concluding thoughts on the security of the child of God in God's love. When we are saved we receive the promise of eventually being glorified with Christ. Yet between those two events we encounter numerous adversities, many of them very severe. What does Paul mean when he says that through all of those things we are more than conquerors? What is it that ensures our overwhelming victory through sufferings? If God's heart is moved when He sees people suffer, as we know it is, then what is it about sufferings that Paul suggests someone might think would separate them from the love of God. How do we know that that will not separate us from His love? This brings up a troubling question, however, which Paul will go on to answer in the following chapters: If God's children are forever secure in HIs love, then what about the Jews, hasn't God rejected them? (66 min)

Keywords Glory, Love, Security

Romans 8:28, 29 In this lesson we begin exploring one of the best known passages of Romans, about parts of which Christians often have divergent views. It is important, however, that we not loose sight of the forest of Paul's major point for our preoccupation with the trees of his supporting arguments. How is that that we "know," according to Paul, that all things work together for good? Is Paul saying that all things are actually good? For whom is this promise true? What is notable about Paul's remark about us loving God. What do we mean when we say that God is transcendent? How is the truth about the transcendence of God connected to the truth about God's foreknowledge? Why is it a mistake to say that since God knows with certainty what will happen that He is responsible for evil? (63 min)

Keywords Glory, Foreknowledge, Adoption, Suffering

Romans 8:19-23 In these verses Paul explains how even the creation is waiting for our redemption. What does it mean that the creation was subjected to futility? How did this happen? When Paul speaks of creation groaning and waiting, what is it that he is not saying? Why is the creation "longing" for our revelation as God's children? What does creation's subjection to futility say about our dominion over nature? What have we been given that causes us to groan for our own revelation? (54 min)

Keywords Spirit, Creation, Glory, Suffering

Romans 8:16-18 In today's passage Paul continues to explore the reality of what the Spirit has to say to us about our being God's children. With whom does the Spirit of Adoption we've received bear witness to our being God's children? If we are God's children, we are also his heirs. What are the three different kinds of inheritance that we receive because we are God's children? The third aspect of our inheritance is indissolubly linked to suffering. Why is this? How does the believer's suffering differ from that of the non-Christian? How did Paul view the suffering he experienced? If we are to share in Christ's glory, what is it? How can our suffering become a vehicle to understanding the glory that will be ours? (51 min)

Keywords Inheritance, Glory, Children of God, Spirit

Romans 5:3-6 Although Paul exults in the glorious reality of the justified believer's new position, he is a realist about the believer's life in this fallen world. This brings up the subject of tribulation. What does Paul have in mind here when he speaks of tribulation? What process happens in the life of the justified person as a consequence of tribulation? What is perseverance? How does proven character produce hope? What is the hope it produces? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in this process. Why is Paul so certain that this hope does not disappoint? What does God's love have to do with all of this? (49 min.)

Keywords Tribulation, Perseverance, Hope, Glory

Romans 5:1-5 Paul now moves us on from consideration of how a person is saved or justified through faith. There are many other things about our life after justification. Yet in moving on, of what must we not lose sight? What does Paul have in mind when he says we now have peace? What is the broader sense of this word? What does it mean that we now stand in grace? How is it that we have come to be in such a position? Can someone cease to stand in grace? What is Paul talking about when he speaks of the glory of God in which we hope? (52 min)

Keywords Peace, Justification, Grace, Glory