Prayer (5 Minutes)
- Have everyone share one thing they were thankful for in the week.
- Have everyone share one prayer request.
Song (5 Minutes)
Catechism (5 minutes)
Have everyone read aloud simultaneously or allow everyone to try to answer before revealing the answer.
Q23: Why must the Redeemer be truly God?
A: That because of his divine nature his obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective. (Acts 2:24)
A: That because of his divine nature his obedience and suffering would be perfect and effective. (Acts 2:24)
Questions from: https://newcitycatechism.com/. Go there to start from beginning or to read more.
Scripture (3 Minutes)
Romans 8:26–39 (NLT)
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.
Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Discussion (5-10 Minutes)
You can lead through a teaching or use the following questions to start a discussion:
- What verse from today meant the most to you? Why?
- How does knowing that God sees all and knows all affect your relationship with him?
- What's something you're worried about right now? How does knowing God is 'for you' change how you look at that situation?
- Is there a situation in your life that is frustrating or disappointing to you? If so, how does the truth of Romans 8:28 affect your perspective of that situation?
Closing Prayer (3 Minutes)
From Hebrews 4:13 and Romans 8:39.
Father, you are everywhere, and you know everything. Thank you that nothing is hidden from you. Thank you for knowing everything and loving and pursuing me. Thank you for always understanding me and always being with me. Help me run to you, instead of away from you. Nothing can separate us from your love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Father, you are everywhere, and you know everything. Thank you that nothing is hidden from you. Thank you for knowing everything and loving and pursuing me. Thank you for always understanding me and always being with me. Help me run to you, instead of away from you. Nothing can separate us from your love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.