Romans 5: 1-11
As we have read and studied the book of Romans, we have been both challenged and refreshed, as Pastor Zac commented. We have learned about justification, and we are learning about the movement from guilty to righteous.
Paul writes about the following benefits of righteousness for believers and we can discuss how these look in our lives.
1. We now have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:1)
- Pastor Zac asked: “Do we live in that peace?” or “Do we live in anxiety?” How would you prove that you live in peace with those that know you most? How is your life a testimony to the peace of Christ? What role does Scripture have in regard to this?
- Considering R.C. Sproul’s quote: “…a peace unblemished and transcendent. It is a peace that cannot be destroyed.” What is your most difficult challenge and how does remembering that you can have this kind of peace in the midst of it, change your perspective?
2. We now have direct access to God. (Romans 5:2)
- In what area do you take access to God for granted? (For example, your prayer life with your family or church family?)
- Pastor Zac noted that we have been elevated to a standing position of privilege in Christ. In which friendship or family relationship, does your loved one need to see you “standing”: speaking the gospel, seeing it alive in your life? Share with your community group how they could pray for this relationship this week.
3. We can rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Romans 5:2)
- How can you respond in a Christ-like way, giving God the glory, when someone compliments you about something God’s worked out for the good in your life? How can you direct all the praise to Him? How do you spend time “rejoicing in the person of God, not only to answered prayer, or the work of God”, as Pastor Zac noted?
4. We can rejoice in our sufferings. (Romans 5:3-5)
- Pastor Zac mentioned false messages of hope that we often hear of today. What are some of those false messages? What are you doing to combat them in your current job, home, Bible study climate?
- There is a “past, present and future” to the work God is doing in our lives, in some of these, God used or uses suffering to work out our character and produce hope. Share with your community group an example from your past, or your current present, or a future area in which you believe He will work with you.
5. We can experience God’s love. (Romans 5:6-8)
- How do others see Christ’s love in you? How do you encourage Christ-like love in your everyday world?
6. We can experience present and future salvation from God’s wrath. (Romans 5:9-11)
- Pastor Zac shared with us the lyrics to “He Will Hold Us Fast”, (please find those attached) and we learned that our salvation is not a temporary status. For what do you need help remembering that God will hold you fast? Share with your group that need, asking for prayer and plan to share the outcome.