LESSON - ROMANS 5:1-5 (NIV based)

THEME - Benefits of Justification

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    Q: How would you describe an unbeliever's relationship with or to God?  Neutral?  Separated?  Hostile?  Enemies?  Mutual enemy-hood?  A: see vv.1, 10

v.1 peace with God
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v.2 access to God

    Q: Do unbelievers have access to God?  Does God hear their prayers?  Are there any exceptions - salvation?
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v.2 hope in God

    Q: define HOPE = a certainty; an absolute that will take place; a joyful & contented expectation
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vv.3-4 rejoice in sufferings: fruit of tribulation --
    1. perseverance = the duty & privilege of a Christian to continue steadfastly in obedience & fidelity to Christ in spite of counter influences, opposition, or discouragement; patient endurance

    Q: What practical benefit (aside from building character) does perseverance have?  A: gives you the ability to achieve a difficult goal; more able to cope; develops patience for God to bring a solution
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    2. tested character

    Q: What practical benefit does tested character have?  A: makes you wiser, stronger, greater understanding, maturity
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    3. hope - confirmed in love

    Q: How does perseverance & tested character give us hope?  A: We find & experience that there is no way we would have made it thru the extremely trying experience without direct, divine help from God.  Therefore, God has revealed & confirmed His reality to us during the trying times and thus, we can become certain that there is a God & that He indwells us.
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    Q: How do we usually react when we are being severely tested?  A: anger, despair, self-pity, frustration, escape-ism, accuse God

    Q: What should be our response when we are severely tested?  (2 Cor. 1:6) 
A: BIG IDEA:
    1. maintain personal integrity/character before God & men - i.e. do 
       not sin but instead patiently endure
    2. search for ways God is trying to build your character, faith, & 
       confirm His reality
    3. remember it is for our own good

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If have extra time:  What are some things you have learned from enduring past trials?

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Works Cited:
Bible. “The Holy Bible: New International Version.” The Bible Library CD-ROM. Oklahoma City, OK: Ellis Enterprises, 1988.
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Copyrights:
Scriptures taken from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®
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Copyright © 2015 Mel W. Coddington, and permission is hereby granted that this document may be used, copied, and distributed non-commercially to non-profit organizations, individuals, churches, ministries, and schools worldwide, provided the copies are distributed at no charge and retain this sources documentation as supplied herein. This document is not for sale, resale, or for use as a gift or premium to be offered in connection with solicitations or contributions.
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File name: Romans5_1-5-Lesson.___ (.htm, .doc, .pdf)
Translation used: NIV
Source: www.BelieverAssist.com
Updated: 1-3-15