Bereans of Trinity

In this week's passage Paul continues to address the subject of the security of the believer. He uses a series of terms that have a legal usage, and create for us the picture of a courtroom in which we ourselves stand "in the dock." If we were to find ourselves on trial in the divine courtroom, who are the parties that we can imagine we would find bringing charges against us? Who would be the greatest and most telling witness against us? Why does one of God's children not need to fear such charges being brought? In a court of law, who is the one who pronounces the final punishment or condemnation? Who holds this position in the final judgment of mankind? Why does a Christian not need to fear such a condemnation? What are the four things that Christ Jesus has done that relate to the subject of the Christian's security in God's love? What are some of the things we know that Jesus is praying for us? Who does the most damage to the biblical doctrine of the security of the child of God? (58 min)

In these verses Paul begins a series of rhetorical questions designed to make us think about the consequences of the things he has just been telling us in the previous verses. The answers to these questions are implied in the questions themselves. What are the three categories which Paul addresses that we find might threaten our security in God's love? What are the things to which Paul refers that are the proof that God is for us? God is not "for" everyone. He is against some. What determines whether God is for or against someone? How does the story of the pharisee and the tax-collector in Luke 18 relate to this passage? Does Paul believe that Christians have no one who opposes or is against them? What frame of mind should we have about those who oppose us that would transform our outlook? Why does Paul believe that God will not withhold anything from those who have believed in Him? (56 min)

In this lesson we continue considering the subject of what it means that we have been foreknown by God. What does the word "foreknown" mean? How do we know that this is speaking from a human rather than divine perspective? We then learn that those God has foreknown he has predestined. To what have those God foreknew been predestined? What is God's purpose for all His children? How does this purpose relate to God's original intent in creation? What three things has God done to ensure that His purpose for us is accomplished? Why is it that though earlier Paul has spoken of our glory as something that is yet to happen, that in this verse he speaks of it in the past tense? (57 min)

In this lesson we begin exploring one of the best known passages of Romans, parts of which Christians often have divergent views. It is important, however, that we not loose sight of the forest of Paul's major point for our preoccupation with the trees of his supporting arguments. How is that that we "know," according to Paul, that all things work together for good? Is Paul saying that all things are actually good? For whom is this promise true? What is notable about Paul's remark about us loving God. What do we mean when we say that God is transcendent? How is the truth about the transcendence of God connected to the truth about God's foreknowledge? Why is it a mistake to say that since God knows with certainty what will happen that He is responsible for evil? (63 min)

Picking up from last week's lesson in verse 23, we considered more about our adoption. Why does Paul speak about our adoption as something that happened when we were saved, as well as something that has not yet occurred? What aspect of our adoption has not yet been realized? When will that happen? What is the disposition of the believer while he awaits his adoption? What is the connection between faith and hope? What is the opportunity that hope gives us that we will not possess when our bodies are finally redeemed? In what way do we fail to know how to pray? Why does the Holy Spirit groan? What do we know for sure about the Holy Spirit's intercession for us? (61 min)

In these verses Paul explains how even the creation is waiting for our redemption. What does it mean that the creation was subjected to futility? How did this happen? When Paul speaks of creation groaning and waiting, what is it that he is not saying? Why is the creation "longing" for our revelation as God's children? What does creation's subjection to futility say about our dominion over nature? What have we been given that causes us to groan for our own revelation? (54 min)

In today's passage Paul continues to explore the reality of what the Spirit has to say to us about our being God's children. With whom does the Spirit of Adoption we've received bear witness to our being God's children? If we are God's children, we are also his heirs. What are the three different kinds of inheritance that we receive because we are God's children? The third aspect of our inheritance is indissolubly linked to suffering. Why is this? How does the believer's suffering differ from that of the non-Christian? How did Paul view the suffering he experienced? If we are to share in Christ's glory, what is it? How can our suffering become a vehicle to understanding the glory that will be ours? (51 min)

In this week's passage, Paul describes for us the person who walks according to the spirit in contrast to the one who walks according to the flesh. Is Paul saying here that it is possible for the believer to cease to live according to the Spirit and to thus loose his or her salvation? How do we know? What other passages in the New Testament have a bearing on this question? What is not characteristic of the Spirit that the believer has received? What evidence does the Christian have that he or she is a child of God? How is the idea of addressing God as our Father new? How do we know it is okay to do so? What is the special significance of the phrase "Abba Father?" (52 min)

In this passage Paul develops in powerful detail the contrast between the believer and the unbeliever. What is the difference between this passage and Galatians 5 where he speaks about being led by the Spirit? What are some of the striking connections we find in this passage about Christ and about the Spirit? What is the key verse in this passage that clues us in to what Paul is discussing? What does it mean to "walk according to the flesh or Spirit?" What is the mind set of the unbeliever and the believer? What is the "flesh?" Though our bodies are still destined to die, due to sin, what is the promise to the believer? What is the difference between being in Christ and Christ being in us? (62 min)

In today's lesson we move from Paul's discovery of his miserable condition in chapter seven, to his explanation of what it is like to be one who lives the life of the Spirit in chapter eight. To what does the word "therefore" in verse one refer? Who does Paul have in mind when he speaks of those who are "in Christ?" What is the condemnation of which he speaks. What is the law of the Spirit of life in Christ? How are we set free from the law of sin which we learned ruled our lives in chapter seven? What had the Law failed to do that God did? How did God do that? What is the requirement of the law that is met in those who walk according to the Spirit? (49 min)