To Start
It’s been a tough year in Australia… from bushfires, to drought and plague. It’s almost as though the earth is trying to tell us something. Amazingly the Bible speaks directly into this situation. It tells us that the earth ‘groans as in the pain of childbirth’; that it ‘waits’. But what is it waiting for? What is the expectation for the planet? What hope is there for this world?
Pray
Take a moment to give thanks to God for David Robertson’s answer to this question on Sunday and for any guests or stories of encouragement.
To help, check out the following video from a congregation member.
Read
Romans 8:18-27
Present Suffering and Future Glory
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
To Start
What stands out to you from the passage?
Discuss
How is the planet in slavery (vv.20-23)?
How does this slavery impact all people? How does it impact you?
Reflect
Is suffering an essential component of Christian living (cf. 8:17)?
So what are the “children of God” patiently waiting for?
Reflect
Does the future feel bright enough to get you through the dark days? Do you get stuck ruminating on the challenges of today, or do you ruminate on the incomparably great future?
How does the Spirit help us while we wait (vv.26-27)?
From the sermon
So what hope is there for the groaning world that we live in?
Share Life
What could you say to family or friends about your hope for the world?
Pray
Pray for each other, and for people outside our church community, that we might put our hope in Jesus Christ.