Before We Get Started

For our discussion today we will be using the sermon series discussion guides. If you would like to follow along you can access this discussion guide on the website at mosaicchurchaustin.com and then select “community group resources” in the menu options.

Prayer

Because the main goal of our time together is to establish relationships and learn how to walk with one another in all that God has called us to be and do, we’d like to begin by praying for one another. So, does anyone have anything you’d like us to pray for, or  anything to share regarding how you’ve seen God moving in your life that we can celebrate together.

This Week’s Topic

Today, we continue our series that has us focusing on one of the most impactful chapters in all the Bible. Romans chapter 8 is referred to by many as the high point of one of the most influential books in the history of the church. With so much stress, anxiety, insecurity, and strife swirling around our world right now, this chapter helps us to hear, remember, and re-center our lives around our true identity in Christ. And, as we do that, we truly believe that we can all end up Better Than We Began.

Today’s Topic

Bad Things, Good Things, Future Things

Discussion Questions

What is something that makes you happy? 

CNN.com, Survey on Happiness in America

“In 2020, before the pandemic began, an average of 48% of Americans said they were satisfied. There was a big drop in 2021, when 41% indicated they were happy…And this year…just 38% of Americans say they’re satisfied.

The General Social Survey has been asking Americans since 1972 whether, all things considered, they’re very happy, pretty happy or not too happy. The percentage who said very happy outran the percentage who said not too happy in every poll taken before the pandemic.

[Now there is] a record low…right now, these numbers are just downright depressing.”

Why do you think happiness in America is at an all-time low? 

Why do bad things happen in our world?

Romans 5:1-5

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Romans 8:28-30

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”

What is the difference between happiness and joy?  (present circumstances vs a future reality)

Based on Romans 5 and Romans 8, what is Paul saying enables us to remain joyful in the midst of hardships?

How does God use our hardships and pain to conform us to the image of Christ?

Romans 8:14, 29

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.”

“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”

What does it mean to be adopted?

Why would God adopt us into His family?

Our adoption, Paul says, makes us brothers and sisters with Jesus, who is the Son of God. What does this mean about how God sees you?

Closing Thought

How does the guaranteed promise of God’s glory and presence work backwards to redeem our present day hardships?