Hope of a New Creation

• Romans 8:15-17 talks about the believer's adoption into God's family. As God's children, we are co-heirs with Christ. We will share in his glory. However, we also share in something else. Christ's path to glory included sufferings. So his followers also share in his sufferings.

1. Read Romans 8:18-25. What does Paul say about suffering? (8:18) How does this help?

* "For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all" (2 Corinthians 4:17, NIV).

• The "whole creation" is in a fallen state because of human rebellion against the Creator. The creation "waits in eager expectation" to be set free from its bondage to decay. And this will occur when the children of God are completely revealed, freed and renewed (8:19, 21, 23).

2. In what ways will the children of God be completely revealed, freed and renewed?

* "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when [Christ] appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:2, NIV, cp. Romans 8:19).

* "…we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" (8:23b).

* "…so we shall bear the likeness of the man from heaven" (1 Corinthians 15:49b).

• The indwelling Holy Spirit gives the believer a foretaste of future glory (8:23), thus increasing the believer's eager expectation for it. At the same time, the Holy Spirit is a "deposit guaranteeing [the believer's] inheritance" in glory (Ephesians 1:13-14).

• As believers, we are saved with hope as our companion (8:24). Our destination is unseen and future. But it is worth the wait! So we wait for it with patience (8:25).

Hope in Prayer

•The waiting can be hard, and we may feel weak. We know we should pray, but we may not know what to pray for, because we do not understand God's will. Read 8:26-27.

3. How does the Holy Spirit help us in our prayers?

Certain Hope of Glorification

• We may not know what to pray for, but we can know something. Read 8:28-30. In all things (including suffering), God works for the good of his children.

4. In what way do all things work together for good? How should we define "good?"

• God has called believers for a purpose (8:28). He predestined them to be conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ (8:29). The believer's destiny is to be made like Christ, who is the model of wholeness, moral perfection and purity. Thus we are able to reflect God's glory.