Coming November 13th, a brand new series from Pastor Buddy Owens at Saddleback Church.

Are you looking for God? The pursuit of God is the chase of a life time. In fact, its been going on since the day you were born. The question is: Have you been the hunter or the prey? This small group study is not about music. Its not even about going to church. Its about living your life as an offering of worship to God. Its about tapping into the source of power to live the Christian life. And its about discovering the secret to friendship with God.

In this four-week study, Buddy Owens, author and teacher, will help you understand the meaning of worship. Through his very practical, engaging, and at times surprising insights, Buddy shares truths from Scripture and from life that will help you understand in a new and deeper way just what it means to be a worshiper.

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For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
ROMANS 8:38–39 (NIV)

SERIES OVERVIEW

Take a journey together with your small group to greater faith! If you’ve ever had feelings like, “I’m not good enough,” “I’m never going to change,” or “Life is too hard,” Romans eight is the chapter for you! Pastor Tom Holladay taught this series beginning at the bottom and moving to the top of Saddleback Mountain through each of the four sessions to help us see clearly the journey from doubt to faith—from discouragement to hope—that God has for us.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What verses about hope did you found during this last week?
2. Verse 31: Do you feel that God is on your side?
3. Verse 32: What do you think are some of the reasons many believers struggle with seeing God as miserly instead of as abundantly giving?
4. Verses 33–34: When in your life did you trust Jesus to forgive you and to no longer condemn you? If it was during this session, be sure to tell the group so they can pray for you!
5. Verses 35–39: What do you think might help you to be as convinced as Paul was that nothing can separate you from the love of God?

PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE

Since God has given so much to us in Jesus, we are now set free to give to others. Who do you know that needs this week to experience God’s personal, liberal, merciful, unconditional, and eternal love. Spend some time on the mountaintop of God’s assurance this week. Take 10 minutes each morning or evening to read over these assurances once again. Look at your life and circumstances in light of these promises!

PRAYER DIRECTION

As you pray for one another’s needs, also take time to specifically thank God for the truth of some of the verses in Romans 8. (For instance, “Thank you that you groan for us...thank you that you are using all things to work together for good in our lives...Thank you that nothing can separate us from your love...)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What did it mean to you to pray to God as your Abba, Father last week?
2. Verses 17–18: What does it mean to you to “share in the sufferings” of Jesus? What do the words “weight of glory” picture for you?
3. Verses 19–37: Is there anything that you are having to wait for right now? How does the truth of God’s hope help you as you wait? How could your group pray for you as you wait?
4. Verses 19–27: Do you feel the freedom to groan as a follower of Jesus? How could you do some honest groaning?
5. Verses 28–30: How have you seen God working “all things together for his good” in your life?

PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE

Take some time to read some verses about hope this week, asking God to give you new strength as you wait. Try finding them in an online concordance, and then share with each other some of the verses you’ve found at the beginning of your next meeting. Stretch your faith this week by taking 15 minutes to dream about how God might transform one problem you’re now facing into his glory. If you’ve never memorized Romans 8:28, start on it this week.

PRAYER DIRECTION

Take some time as a group to talk about your specific prayer requests and to pray for one another, especially asking that God will give you hope as you wait.