Rejoice

I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure.  – Psalm 119:162

Read Romans 5:1-11

 I.  REJOICE IN HOPE    Romans 5:1-2 

• Describe our spiritual condition before placing our faith in Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord. Give phrases from: Romans 1:18, 2:5-6, 12; 3:10-12, 23; Ephesians 2:1-3, 12.
• What difference does faith in Jesus make to our spiritual condition? Give phrases from: John 3:16-18; Romans 3:22; Ephesians 2:4-11, 18-22; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11.
• What is one of the major differences that being reconciled to God—being right with Him—makes on the inside of us? Romans 5:1, 15:13; Philippians 4:6-7; Colossians 3:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; Hebrews 13:20
• Into what are saved sinners given access? Romans 5:2; Ephesians 1:3-8; 2:18; Hebrews 10:19-23
• What is the key mentioned twice in Romans 5:1-2 that unlocks access into God’s presence and His blessings? When did you personally grasp the key and use it yourself?
• Keeping in mind that Biblical hope is not a wish or desire or a “hope-so,” but it is a confidence that we possess what God has promised, summarize how the above verses give you cause to rejoice.

 II.  REJOICE IN HARDSHIPS Romans 5:3-8

• What hardships are you currently enduring?  Make a list.
• What could be God’s purpose for allowing these hardships into your life? Romans 5:3-4; 1 Peter 1:6-7; James 1:2-4
• Explain how the story of Lazarus in John 11:1-44 illustrates God’s purpose in allowing His children to endure hardships.
• Are hardships in your life evidence that God does not really love you, or at least that He doesn’t love you as much as those who don’t have hardships?  Romans 5:5-8; John 11:3; Hebrews 10:38-39; 12:5-11
• What command did God give to us through the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:4?
• What hardship was Paul enduring when he wrote those words? Philippians 1:12-14
• How did Paul himself set the example for us of rejoicing in hardships? 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
• How did Jesus set the example for us?  Hebrews 12:1-3
• While enduring hardships, what example are you setting for others?

 III.  REJOICE IN HIM   Romans 5:9-11 

• If our spirits are heavy, what are we encouraged to do?  Isaiah 61:3
• Describe the way praise was used, and the difference it made when God’s children were facing problems, pressure, and the enemy in 2 Chronicles 20:1-29.
• How can you use praise in the same way? Try it.
• What, or who, is the subject of our joy in Romans 5:11?
• What are the specific reasons given that we are to rejoice in Him?  Romans 5:9-10
• Why would we rejoice in the blood of Jesus when it speaks of His death? Give reasons from: Hebrews 9:22; Romans 5:9-11; John 6:53-54; Ephesians 2:13; 1 John 1:7; Revelation 1:5-6.
• What does “justified” mean? Give a dictionary definition, and apply it to the position before God that you are given by the blood of Jesus.
• How does this set you free to rejoice?  Romans 8:1-4, 32
• Describe how this joy reverberates in Heaven.  Revelation 5:9-14; 12:10-12
• Write out several prayers of praise that express sheer joy: in who Jesus is; in what He has done for you through His death; in what He has done for you through His resurrection; in what He will do for you at His return.

 In these days of confusion and desperation we can become so burdened by international, national, and personal problems that we become gloomy.  Depressed. Oppressed. What can we do?  We can rejoice!

Rejoicing changes our perspective from one of doom to delight.  From gloom to glory.  So join me as together we put on the “garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.”  (Isaiah 61:3)  Rejoice!  (Philippians 4:4) 

This Bible study was prepared especially for the Fall 2014 Newsletter.

Download the PDF of this Bible study here to print or email.