Romans 8:23-27 Picking up from last week's lesson in verse 23, we considered more about our adoption. Why does Paul speak about our adoption as something that happened when we were saved, as well as something that has not yet occurred? What aspect of our adoption has not yet been realized? When will that happen? What is the disposition of the believer while he awaits his adoption? What is the connection between faith and hope? What is the opportunity that hope gives us that we will not possess when our bodies are finally redeemed? In what way do we fail to know how to pray? Why does the Holy Spirit groan? What do we know for sure about the Holy Spirit's intercession for us? (61 min)

Keywords Hope, Spirit, Faith, Worship, Prayer

Romans 5:6-11 Having shown how we can be assured of the certainty of our hope because we have the down payment of God's Spirit in us, Paul now gives another evidence of the certainty of our hope. That is the demonstration of God's love in the timing of the death of Christ. What does Paul mean when he speaks of the "right time" for Christ to die? Is he speaking historically or personally? What is the greatest extent or evidence of human love? How does God's love surpass that? What were you like when Christ died for you? What does Paul conclude is true in light of the timing of Christ's death? At the end of this passage Paul returns to the theme of exultation. What is a mark of the justified sinner? Why is it now possible for us to exult in God? What are some of the things about God in which we can exult? (55 min)

Keywords Love, Hope

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