Weekly Resource Guide

March 20–26


Romans 8: It’s one of the greatest chapters in all the bible.

This chapter of the bible changes everything, including the way we see ourselves. It promises us that real and rewarding change can occur. It gives us the freedom to love differently, to live victoriously, and to face difficulties with renewed confidence. We are not our past, our problems, or our progress. In Christ, we are redeemed, freed, and loved conquerors.

Read • Ask • Pray

Read: Romans 8:31-39

Ask (Questions for Reflection/Discussion): What truths about God's love do you need to remind yourself of daily? How has God been faithful to you in the past? What difficult things might God be using for your good?

Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for the promises you've given. Help me to remember that nothing can separate me from your love. Today, I choose to believe that everything meant against me, you turn for good. You've promised my goodness in the end. Help me to hold on to that promise. Thank you for your forgiveness and freedom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Read: In Romans 8:31-39, Paul encourages believers that although we live in a broken world, our hope is in what is to come. When we look around at our world today, which is full of darkness and despair, it can be easy to lose sight of the security that we have in Jesus.

Over the past few years, your student(s) has had to walk through some hard seasons. A recent study by Global Youth Culture found that 60% of U.S. teens reported experiencing depression; 66% reported high anxiety; 75% reported feelings of loneliness, and 35% reported having had suicidal thoughts. If your student is wrestling with some of these mental health issues, know that they are not alone.

This passage in Romans encourages us that, as believers, we can never be separated from the love of the Father, no matter how bad the world gets. This week, help your student fixate on that truth. One way you can do that is to help them memorize the scripture, Romans 8:35, “Who can separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword.” Scripture renews our mind and sets our hearts on the truths of Christ.

Ask: What is one way that you see God showing you that He loves you today?

Pray (over your student): Heavenly Father, thank you for the truth written in scripture. Thank you for the way it turns our eyes off of our current suffering and towards You. Help (insert student name) today, I know that this world seems a lot to them right now. Remind them of the hope they have through Jesus, renew their perspective and encourage their soul today. Help me point their eyes to You. We need you Father. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Read: Romans 8: 38-39, Luke 15

In Luke 15 we Jesus told three “lost” parables. In all three stories, something was missing. In the case of the son in the third parable, he left home. The son purposefully went away from a place that was safe for him. The three parables show us that we all start out away from God and that we are not where we belong. The Bible explains that our sin separates us from God. We are like the sheep and the coin because we cannot do anything to be found, but we are also like the younger son because we choose to wander away from God.

All three parables also feature someone actively looking for the thing that is lost. The shepherd left the 99 safe sheep to find the one in danger. The woman searched through the whole house and lit lamps to keep searching after dark. Even the father didn’t stay inside and wait until the son knocked; he saw the son a long way off and ran to him. This shows us that God searches for people who are away from Him. He loves us and wants us to be reunited with Him. Jesus is the One who seeks and saves the lost.

The third thing that all three parables have in common is a celebration when the missing item is back where it belongs. In these three cases, the shepherd, the woman, and the father all celebrated when they found what they were looking for. Jesus explained that this is a picture of the celebration that happens in heaven when people who are far from God repent and are brought near to God. It also shows us that God forgives our sins to welcome us back to Himself when we trust in Jesus.

Romans 8:38-39 assures us that the treasure we’ve found in Jesus can never be taken away from us. “I am absolutely sure that not even death or life can separate us from God’s love. Not even angels or demons, the present or the future, or any powers can separate us. Not even the highest places or the lowest, or anything else in all creation can separate us. Nothing at all can ever separate us from God’s love. That’s because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done.”

Jesus is the One who seeks and saves the lost, and He taught that all of heaven celebrates when the lost are found by Him. We get to celebrate with all of heaven when lost people are saved because we know how great God is.

Ask your preschooler: Who came to seek and save the lost?

Ask your grade-schooler: What do the parables tell us about Jesus? What is the treasure we find in Jesus?

Pray: together and thank God for sending Jesus to seek and save the lost, including you!

Next Steps

Join A Connect Group

Looking for biblical community? Check out our brand new group finder to find the Connect Group that works best for you!

The Bible Project

Check out this helpful video from the Bible Project on the book of Romans!

Biltmore Students WAKE WKND

Register your student for WAKE WKND this year from April 22-24!