March 10, 2024
Included | Romans 8:18-39
Included in Suffering
The world is broken and in pain, and so are we. All of us suffer, including (maybe especially) followers of Jesus. But Jesus gives us resources for walking through suffering: a perspective shaped by hope, prayer to process pain and grief, and the promise of his forever, unlimited love.
Songs for this week: Spotify
- What does our culture tell us about suffering and how to handle it? What has the church told you about this?
- Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-27. How do Paul’s sufferings affect how you read Romans 8:18-39?
- Read this translation of Romans 8:28: “We know that God co-works all things for good with those who love God.” What does this mean to you? How does it compare to your perspective on suffering?
- Read Psalm 44:22-26, a lament that Paul quotes in this passage. Share a situation where you have prayed like that or where you need to pray like that.
- How real is God’s promise of love for you? What habits or practices can you use to remind you of his love?
Bonus:
Use Psalm 13 and Romans 8:35-39 to pray together about specific situations of suffering.
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Recent Sermons
James 5:13-20 - A life of faith is a life of prayer. It’s also a life lived with others. When we follow Jesus, we belong to Him and to one another as brothers and sisters. As a family, we care for one another in weakness, confess our sins to each other, and gently confront one another.
James 4:6-10 -James knows that the heart of the Christian message is grace. God gives us good that we couldn’t ever deserve. The truth is that we earn and deserve justice and punishment. Thankfully, Jesus took both of those for us and gave us the good he deserved. As powerful as grace is, there is one thing that can re
James 3:1-18 -James is at it again! He has a real concern for the words that Christians use on themselves, with each other and with the world. Our tongues (James' favourite image for our words) can cause such destruction, and they are nearly impossible to control.
James 2:14-26 -James continues to press deep into the muscles and tissues of our faith. Is your faith doing what it was designed to do? Just like you might go to the doctor for a physical check-up, James offers a self-administered faith check-up in this passage. Where do you see signs of life in your faith?
James 1:19-27 - James is direct: angry words, thoughtless words, and religious words don’t have a place in a life of faith. Our words don’t work … but God’s word does! Our job is simply to cooperate with his word.
James 1:1-8 - James gets right down to business! For everyone not currently soaking in a hot tub, suffering is a first order of business. In just a few verses, James explains how trials can grow maturity, how wisdom helps the journey, and how to avoid wasting a suffering experience.
