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 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 8:12-15 In this week's passage, Paul describes for us the person who walks according to the spirit in contrast to the one who walks according to the flesh. Is Paul saying here that it is possible for the believer to cease to live according to the Spirit and to thus loose his or her salvation? How do we know? What other passages in the New Testament have a bearing on this question? What is not characteristic of the Spirit that the believer has received? What evidence does the Christian have that he or she is a child of God? How is the idea of addressing God as our Father new? How do we know it is okay to do so? What is the special significance of the phrase "Abba Father?" (52 min)

Keywords Spirit, Flesh, Father, Adoption

Romans 8:5-11 In this passage Paul develops in powerful detail the contrast between the believer and the unbeliever. What is the difference between this passage and Galatians 5 where he speaks about being led by the Spirit? What are some of the striking connections we find in this passage about Christ and about the Spirit? What is the key verse in this passage that clues us in to what Paul is discussing? What does it mean to "walk according to the flesh or Spirit?" What is the mind set of the unbeliever and the believer? What is the "flesh?" Though our bodies are still destined to die, due to sin, what is the promise to the believer? What is the difference between being in Christ and Christ being in us? (62 min)

Keywords Flesh, Spirit, Death, Life

Romans 8:1-4 In today's lesson we move from Paul's discovery of his miserable condition in chapter seven, to his explanation of what it is like to be one who lives the life of the Spirit in chapter eight. To what does the word "therefore" in verse one refer? Who does Paul have in mind when he speaks of those who are "in Christ?" What is the condemnation of which he speaks. What is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ? How are we set free from the law of sin which we learned ruled our lives in chapter seven? What had the Law failed to do that God did? How did God do that? What is the requirement of the law that is met in those who walk according to the Spirit? (49 min)

Keywords Law, Death, Life, Spirit, Flesh