Keeping Place / week 1

Watch the session1 at RightNow Media and answer the following questions:

BIBLE EXPLORATION Romans 8:18–25

1. In verse 18, what are the “present sufferings” Paul refers to?

2. What do verses 19 and 20 tell us about creation? What’s wrong with it?

3. In what ways do you see creation affected by the Fall? 4. In verse 21, what does Paul say will happen to creation?

5. What strikes you about God’s redemptive plan not only for you, but for creation as well? 6. In verses 22 and 23, what image does Paul use describe Christians and creation as they wait for the perfect home? Even if you’ve never experienced birth pains, how does Paul’s illustration accurately show what it’s like to live in the in between? 7. When has life felt like the pains of childbirth for you? Can you relate to the groaning Paul talks about in these verses? How so?

8. What do you find yourself wishing for when life is turbulent?

9. What is the hope Paul is referring to in verses 24 and 25? How might these verses spark hope for those in the context of the early church?

10. What excites you about Jesus’ return? What makes you the most hopeful? Why?

11. When is it difficult for you to be hopeful? Why do you think it’s sometime easy to forget our hope in Christ?

12. Without hope in Jesus, would our longing mean anything? Why not?

13. How does hope bring significance to our longing for home?

14. In light of all we talked about in this session, how does the hope we have in Jesus change the way you see suffering, hope, and home?

John 16:33

What does Jesus say will come in this world? Why should we take heart (or remain hopeful)?

DEEPER WALK Select at least one activity below to complete before next week. Memorize: Take this week to memorize John 16:33 and Romans 8:18. Write the verses somewhere you’ll see them—put them on your phone, on a sticky note by your computer, or on your mirror.

Challenge: Every day this week, write down one thing you’re hopeful for. Pick a trusted friend, maybe someone in this group, and take the challenge together. At the end of the week, share the things you hope for and talk about why you hope for those things.

Reflect: Set aside time to reflect on Jesus’ return. Think about what a world without sin might look like. Imagine a place with no pain, sorrow, or mourning. As you reflect, write down your thoughts and feelings. End your time thanking God for Jesus’ promised return.

Study: Study Genesis 1 and 2 this week. Take note of how God created the world and His original intention for humans. Where do you see evidence of God’s homemaking in these chapters?