YOU ARE LOVED

ICEBREAKER
Imagine being a child separated from your parent at a shopping mall? Would you rather be the child or the parent?

We’re discussing a series called “New Year. New You.” And, it’s all about “Strengthening your core for a healthier life” meaning your spiritual core, your Identity in Christ. Today we’re talking about the principle “You are Loved.” 
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REVIEW & DISCUSS
Read or Review Romans 8:31-39

NOTE: When Paul says “these things” he is referring to the things he’s already spoken about in previous chapters: our battle against sin, the frustrations of life, the poor condition of the world, our weakness for not know how to change it, and our “praying” and “groaning” for God to change it. When Paul says “If God is for us” he’s summarizing everything he’s taught in the first seven chapters, that while we are all sinful and unrighteous by nature regardless of our heritage (Jewish, Greek, Roman), our class (upper or lower), or anything else, and we cannot work our way out of it by any works of our own, God imputes righteousness upon us by forgiving us, redeeming us, and freeing us from the tyranny of our sin nature by the graciousness of his own love for us through our faith in Jesus.

v34 - Who or what do you feel condemned by in your life?

v35 - Have you ever experienced panic by separation from someone you love?

v35 - Have you ever experienced famine, poverty, hardship, or even danger? 

TAKEAWAY
What beliefs about God’s love for you and his presence in your life have you adopted as a result of these experiences?

Are you able to identify any Garbage Beliefs (beliefs that are not true) you’ve adopted about God?

What is a Pocket Truth you could use to replace those Garbage Beliefs?

​PRAYER
First, take some time to ask people to identify prayer needs related to the discussion about encouraging one another. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in prayer.