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70 S e S S i o n 6

The PointGod’s Holy Spirit lives in you and empowers you.

The Bible Meets LifeJust as we cannot save ourselves; we cannot live the Christian life ourselves. Left

to ourselves, we would face continual defeat. We are not left alone. Jesus Christ

comes to live in us through the presence and power of His Holy Spirit. He is the

One who empowers us to stand against sin, to walk righteously, and to live every

aspect of life for His glory.

The PassageRomans 8:8-17, 26-27

The SettingRomans 7 shows us the conflict between the continual struggle with sin in our

lives and the power and work of Christ in our lives. Romans 8 shows us that

there is another law at work besides the law of sin: the “law” of the Spirit. In this

chapter we see the benefits we experience because of the presence of the Holy

Spirit in our lives.

B i B l e S t u d i e S f o r l i f e 71

Romans 8:8-17, 26-27 (HCSB)

8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 Now if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you. 12 So then, brothers, we are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, 13 for if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

26 In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with unspoken groanings. 27 And He who searches the hearts knows the Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Key Words

Suffer with Him (v. 17)—Believers do not suffer to gain salvation. Their path, however, sometimes involves opposition and hardship.

Unspoken groanings (v. 26)—This phrase describes the intensity with which the Spirit intercedes.

What does the Bible say?

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Notes

5 minutesGET INTO ThE STUDYDISCUSS: Invite your group members to

turn their attention to the image on page

59 of the Personal Study Guide (PSG). Ask:

“What makes you want to shout, ‘I

can’t do this on my own’?”

SUMMARIZE: “The Bible Meets Life”

on page 60 of the PSG tells the story of

Jennifer, who lost her passport while on

a mission trip in Nicaragua and her panic

that ensued.

SAy: “In Romans 8, Paul reminds us that God will never leave us alone. As children in

His family, He has provided His Holy Spirit to guide us and protect us.”

GUIDE: Invite group members to share their thoughts about The Point on page 60

of the PSG: “God’s Holy Spirit lives in you and empowers you.” Explain that this

is the key idea that will drive our discussion.

PRAy: Transition to the study by praying for group members that are facing difficult

situations right now, that they would draw comfort and strength from God’s promise

and provision of the Holy Spirit.


THE POINT God’s Holy Spirit lives in you and empowers you.

Romans 8:8-13

8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 You, however, are not in

the flesh, but in the Spirit, since the Spirit of God lives in you. But if anyone

does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 Now if Christ

is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of

righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead lives

in you, then He who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal

bodies to life through His Spirit who lives in you. 12 So then, brothers, we

are not obligated to the flesh to live according to the flesh, 13 for if you live

according to the flesh, you are going to die. But if by the Spirit you put to

death the deeds of the body, you will live.

READ: Ask a group member to read Romans 8:8-13 aloud.

SUmmARizE: The first paragraph on page 62 of the PSG explains when (at the

moment of salvation) and how God provides the Holy Spirit (as an indwelling

Spirit). The Holy Spirit provides protection and direction for believers.

SUmmARizE: Briefly share the story of purchasing school supplies and the

tradition of writing your name on them in Sharpie® so they wouldn’t get lost.

Likewise, when we become Christ-followers, God gives us the Holy Spirit who lives

in us.

SAy: “We don’t always feel joyful, victorious, or vibrant. But here’s the good news:

the Spirit will quicken our souls, revive our minds, and renew our strength.”

DiSCUSS: Question 2 on page 62 of the PSG: “if the Spirit lives in us, why is

it sometimes so difficult to sense His presence?”

TRAnSiTion: The Holy Spirit makes all the difference in our battle against sin.

STUDY THE BIBLE

TIP: Visit the BSFL blog for additional teaching tips, especially if you lead a group just for women, men, or singles.

Notes

10 minutes

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Romans 8:8-13 Commentary

Romans 8 reveals how Christ works in believers by the power of the Holy Spirit and helps believers

understand the spiritual benefits they experience because of the Holy Spirit. In Verses 8-9, Paul first

stated that “those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” The word “flesh” here refers to persons who

are not Christian believers and thus do not have the Holy Spirit residing in their lives, rendering them

unable to be or to do what pleases God. People determined to live apart from the living Christ cannot

please God in any way—by religious observances, charitable donations, or other actions they hope

win His approval. Paul next stated that the Holy Spirit’s absence from one’s life is certain proof he or

she is not a Christian. If one does not have the Spirit of Christ, the certain reality is that person does “not

belong to Him.” Words, even deeds, may deceive, but what proves and declares a person’s salvation is

the indwelling of God’s Spirit.

In verses 10-11, Paul pointed out two wonderful results of the Spirit’s presence and work in believers’

lives. The first result of Christ’s living presence in all believers is good news, wonderful news—the Spirit

is life because of righteousness. Likely, Paul’s’ teaching here means the final outcome of the life-giving

Spirit in Christians is resurrection to life. Those whom God declares righteous on behalf of Christ and

their faith in Him will live forever in His presence and favor. In verse 11, the apostle emphasized the

relationship of the Holy Spirit to resurrection. The Spirit, the One who raised Jesus from the dead lives

in all believers. That being true, the second wonderful result, or consequence, is certain. Paul’s answer

is that the same Spirit, the One who then lived in all the believers at Rome, will also bring all believers’

mortal bodies to life. The Spirit of God in us, who empowers us to live new lives in Christ, will accomplish

our resurrection to everlasting life by the same power that raised Jesus from death!

In verses 12-13, Paul pinpointed how believers should not live and how they should live. First, he stated

the negative. Christians have no obligation or debt, none whatsoever, to live according to the flesh,

referring to sinful desires still resident in all believers. Believers don’t owe any spiritual capital to the

bank of the flesh and are under no orders to indulge in sinful appetites or to satisfy immoral desires.

Yes, believers face temptations their entire lives, but the habitual pattern is a life powerfully influenced

by the Spirit of God. “You are going to die” does not mean believers will cease to be Christians if they fall

back, even temporarily, into sinful ways. Rather Paul referred to the reality that life lived according to the

flesh is the distinguishing mark of a person without the Holy Spirit resident and powerfully at work in

his or her life. Second, Paul characterized believers as those who “by the Spirit…put to death the deeds

of the body.” In other words, the Holy Spirit, living and working in Christians’ lives, powerfully enables

them to spurn sin rather than embrace sin. The Holy Spirit makes the difference in the battle against sin.



10 minutes

Romans 8:14-17

14 All those led by God’s Spirit are God’s sons. 15 For you did not receive a spirit

of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption, by

whom we cry out, “Abba, Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself testifies together with

our spirit that we are God’s children, 17 and if children, also heirs—heirs of

God and coheirs with Christ—seeing that we suffer with Him so that we may

also be glorified with Him.

READ: Invite a group member to read Romans 8:14-17 aloud.

SUmmARizE: On page 63 of the PSG, we learn three ways God provides for us

through the Holy Spirit.

] Guidance: When we seek Him, God provides direction and wisdom.

] Dispelling Fear: The Spirit replaces nagging concerns and anxiety

with peace.

] inner Testimony: Verse 16 clarifies that the Holy Spirit communicates to

those who are God’s children.

DiSCUSS: Question 3 on page 63 of the PSG: “Which of these three points

has been the most important in your life?”

TRAnSiTion: Beyond working in the lives of believers in these ways, the next

verses teach that the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf.

STUDY THE BIBLE

Notes

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The Holy Spirit empowers believers to live godly, not sinfully. Sinners, once without power to conquer

sin, now as Christians can walk the pathway of righteousness. Paul stressed the permanence of the

Spirit’s living relationship in all believers. Notice the apostle’s emphasis on the fact of every believer’s

relationship with the Spirit. Christians are God’s children. Paul used adoption to describe our family tie

to the Spirit. God’s people call Him Father. Believers are God’s children and therefore heirs of God and

co-heirs with Christ. Christians, furthermore, will ”be glorified with Him.”

One can sense this family belongingness in verses 14-17. In them, Paul penned four realities regarding

the Holy Spirit’s relationship and effect with all believers. First, those in whom the Spirit lives are led by

Him. The original verb translated “led” is in a form that implies characteristic behavior—not flawless,

but not whimsical or occasional. The Spirit doesn’t live in believers merely to extinguish flash fires of

temptation. He is there permanently to guide God’s people in all dimensions of the Christian life—

victories and defeats, powers and weaknesses, sorrows and smiles, fears and hopes.

The second result of the Spirit’s indwelling is that believers come into God’s family by adoption. Paul’s

statement is ”they received the Spirit of adoption.” Notice the specific wording to contrast believers’

past and present. When the Roman Christians heard and believed the gospel about Christ, Paul said

”they did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear.” A fearful relationship with a cruel master

was not the outcome of their faith. Rather, they received adoption. The loving Father embraces believers

in His arms and makes them His children. Would God ever abandon those He adopted as His very own?

The answer is of course not. They are His forever.

Third, believers’ relationship with the living God confirms again and again and again that we belong

to God’s family. Paul pointed out that the “Spirit Himself testifies together with our spirit.” What is the

subject of this continuous communication, and what is the wonderful result of this ongoing testimony

we hear not with our ears but with our hearts? The answer is we are God’s children. Paul didn’t spell out

specifically how this comforting communication occurs between God and His children. The believer’s

joy and peace isn’t dependent on understanding how the Spirit confirms his or her relationship with the

living God. God saves us. God adopts us. God assures us that we belong to Him and He belongs to us.

Fourth, because believers are God’s children, then they are heirs of God as well as co-heirs with

Christ. Because Christians are God’s children, they have an inheritance awaiting them in heaven. That

inheritance is sharing in the Father’s and the Son’s glory. Serving and suffering for Christ now will result

in sharing in His glory in heaven. Grace leads to glory forever for those who, by grace through Christ, are

His own forever.



15 minutes

Romans 8:26-27

26 In the same way the Spirit also joins to help in our weakness, because we do

not know what to pray for as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for

us with unspoken groanings. 27 And He who searches the hearts knows the

Spirit’s mind-set, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will

of God.

READ: Ask a group member to read Romans 8:26-27 aloud.

DiSCUSS: Question 4 on page 64 of the PSG: “What causes believers to

question if they truly belong to God?”

SUmmARizE: The Holy Spirit helps us in our weaknesses and in our prayer life.

When we’re at a loss for words or unable to express our thoughts, He steps in and

approaches the Lord for us.

SAy: “Thankfully, the Spirit of God sees the big, wide-open picture and knows

how to fill in the gaps for us. Where we are confused, the Spirit is certain. This

mysterious yet gracious act displays how the Holy Spirit intercedes daily for us.”

DiSCUSS: Question 5 on page 65 of the PSG: “How could your life be

different if you were more aware of the Spirit’s activity?”

Do: Ask your group members to split into groups of 2 or 3, then complete the

activity on page 65 of the PSG. Once completed, give your group members time to

discuss their answers.

not Alone: I recently accepted a new job in another state. I’ve sensed God’s

leadership in this decision, but my excitement is quickly giving way to anxiety.

] When I feel alone, I can seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit by:

] Relying on the Holy Spirit will benefit me by:

] My choice to rely on the Holy Spirit will benefit my friends and family by:

STUDY THE BIBLE

Notes

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Paul’s introductory phrase “In the same way” connects his teaching in verses 26-27 to the previous

context in verses 18-25. There Paul focused on the reality that both creation and believers groan to be

released from the marring and scarring sin has created with devastating effect on the earth and on all

people. Until that time of global change (v. 21) and believers’ “redemption of our bodies” (v. 23), the Holy

Spirit is interceding in prayer on behalf of all God’s people.

Paul connected his teaching in these two verses with the statement in verse 23, where he pointed out

that those with the Spirit “groan” within themselves as does the Holy Spirit on behalf of all believers.

Although similar, the groanings are not identical. Believers groan for heaven and the “redemption of our

bodies” (v. 23), while the Spirit groans in prayer for believers with unspoken groanings.

The reason the Spirit prays on our behalf is to help in our weakness. Sometimes our weakness is that

we do not know what to pray for as we should. He, thankfully, does know. The Holy Spirit is perfectly

aware of the Father’s will. Consequently the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.

Paul’s point is that believers sometimes find themselves uncertain what to pray or inadequate to fully

express to God their prayers apart from the Spirit’s work on their behalf. The Spirit’s groanings express

our hearts and our needs more fully and precisely than we ever could and with truer insight as well.

He knows every believer intimately and God’s will for each one perfectly. The Holy Spirit faithfully

intercedes for us in ways too deep for language to fathom but always for God’s glory in our lives.



Notes

5 minutes5 minutes LIVE IT OUTSAY: “The Christian life can be a difficult one if you’re trying to live it out alone.

Thankfully, God has given each of us the Holy Spirit to assist us along the way. ”

GUIDE: Lead group members to consider the responses to the Bible study listed

on page 66 of the PSG.

] Make a consistent prayer time a priority. Identify the two big obstacles you

encounter and take steps to eliminate them.

] Step out in faith and trust God’s leading. When you sense His guidance,

determine to trust Him wholeheartedly. He loves to shepherd His people.

] Encourage someone else who may be seeking God’s direction right now.

Be ready to share with them about God’s trustworthiness in your own life.

Wrap It Up

SAY: “We may not find ourselves in another country without our passport, but we

still face challenges from time to time. Because we are promised God’s leadership

and presence, we’re never really alone. This week, lean on God’s promises

and trust the Holy Spirit for His comfort and protection.”

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My group's prayer requests

Leading a group just for women, men, or singLes? get customized discussion questions & ideas at BibleStudiesforLife.com/blog.

All Things New

On an April flight to Washington, D.C., I was seated next to a woman wearing a blue suit and a personal I.D. tag with the word “Pentagon” written on it. I sat up straighter just in case her security clearance permitted her to have people “put down.“ As the flight attendants began preparing the cabin for arrival, Ms. Pentagon glanced out the window. “Isn’t that a hopeful sight?” she asked.

To continue reading “All Things New,” visit BibleStudiesforLife.com/articles.


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