Sermon Response Guide

Sermon Response Guide En Español

PRIMARY SCRIPTURE: Romans 8:18-30

Key Points

• We are all part of a greater story of God’s glory.
• God sees all things and sees to all things.
• God is working everything together for our good: to be conformed into the image of Christ Jesus.
• Because of who God is, we never lose hope.

Memory Verse

Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
- Romans 8:28 ESV

Questions for Reflection

Take time to reflect and respond to these questions on your own in the presence of the Holy Spirit, or with trusted friends or family members:
 
1: What has felt chaotic in your life lately? Read Job 42:2. What hope does Job’s testimony offer you in your own chaos?
 
2: Have you ever hoped in God when circumstances felt hopeless? What was it about God that enabled you to hold onto hope?
 
3: What difference does it make for you to know God not only sees all things, but God sees to all things?
 
4: What (or who) do you need to trust God to “see to” in your own life today?
 
5: Reflect on Romans 8:28-29. Why do you think being conformed into the image of God’s Son, Jesus, is ultimately for our good?
 
6: How is God using current challenges and celebrations in your own life to make you look more like Jesus?

7: How would you describe the greater story of God’s glory?

8: How do you think your life story fits into God’s greater story?

Pray

Lord, we confess we often cling to our own understanding of good, rather than hoping in your greater, glorious good. Lord, show us what is good, and teach us to desire more of your goodness. Even in this moment, give us a glimpse of how you have been holding all things together, working all things together, and guiding all things together in our own lives. Thank you for your gift of hope that never fails. Even in the chaos, we choose to hope in you, Lord.

references 

For those interested in further study, our pastors want to share resources that have aided them in their sermon preparation (in conjunction with the Bible and the Holy Spirit):
 
·      The Knowledge of the Holy by A. W. Tozer
·      Not God Enough: Why Your Small God Leads to Big Problems by J. D. Greear
·      Your God is Too Small: A Guide for Believers and Skeptics Alike by J. B. Phillips
·      Knowing God by J. I. Packer
·      The Ten Commandments: Ethics for the Twenty-First Century by Mark F. Rooker
·      For the Glory of God: Recovering a Biblical Theology of Worship by Daniel I. Block
·      Exodus (Apollos Old Testament Commentary Series) by T. Desmond Alexander
·      Classic Christianity: A Systematic Theology by Thomas C. Oden
·      A Commentary on the Psalms, Volume 3: 90-150 (Kregel Exegetical Library) by Allen P. Ross
·      Proverbs (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms) by Tremper Longman III

Find more devotional resources for 2021 here.