1. Pray. Ask the Lord to open your eyes, that you might behold wondrous things out of his Word (Ps. 119:18). 

2. Read Sunday's passage. Feel free to read it more than once, or in another translation.

3. Review the sermon outline. Try to see how the points came out of the text.

4. Answer the questions below. Focus on personal application.

5. Pray. Praise and thank the Lord, then ask him to work in mighty ways. 

Remember, we live not by bread alone, but by every word which proceeds from the mouth of God (Dt. 8:3; Mt. 4:4).

12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Intro: How would you like to have assurance that you are going to Heaven when you die? In this passage, we see that the Holy Spirit prepares believers for glory in three ways: 

I. The Holy Spirit prepares us for glory through our obedience (v. 13–14). Those who live for their flesh (their sinful propensities) will not receive eternal life. Those who put their sin to death by the Spirit will receive eternal life. To be clear, our obedience follows our faith in Christ, and it doesn't earn our salvation. Obedience is the response of a heart made new by the Holy Spirit. So the heart indwelled by the Spirit will hate sin, fight it, and desire to obey Jesus. 

II. The Holy Spirit prepares us for glory through our identity (v. 14–17). All who are led by the Spirit are children of God through the Holy Spirit, who cries out "Abba! Father!" from our hearts. The Spirit wants you to know who you are, and whose you are. Do you have true love for the true God in your heart? Then you are his adopted child, and that makes you a co-heir with Christ, destined for glory.

III. The Holy Spirit prepares us for glory through our suffering (v. 17b). Suffering is part of God's plan for beleivers, not evidence that we are unbelievers, or unspiritual, or out of God's will, or lacking in faith. Rather, suffering with Christ is evidence that we belong to Christ. Just make sure to stick with Christ to the end! If we do, we will be glorified with him.  

Conclusion: Do you want to know if you'll be in Heaven when you die? Then look into your own heart. Has God given you a hatred for your sin, and a love for himself? Is his Spirit crying out "Abba!" from your heart? If not, then repent and believe in the Lord Jesus right now! But if so, then rest in your identity as a child of God, take up arms (the Word, prayer, accountability, and worship) to fight your own sin, and endure suffering with Christ until he brings you home. 

1. Obedience.

- What are the sinful propensities of your flesh? (What sinful attitudes or actions are you repeatedly tempted by?) 

- What sins does the Holy Spirit want you to put to death in this season? 

- What "weapons" are available to you as you fight your own sin? (see Ephesians 6:10–20)

- Who can you reach out to for help in your battle? 

- Sin can be appealing, which is why we need something even more appealing, more satisfying, more joy-providing, and more life-giving. We need to know, and love, and delight in God himself. Psalm 16:11 says "in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." How can you cultivate lasting joy in the Lord vs. fleeting, guilty pleasure from sin? 

2. Identity.

- What does your heart cry out to God? 

- Do you have a childlike affection for God as your "Abba," as your Father?

- Why can sinners be adopted as God's children? 

- If you were the heir of a multi-billionaire, how secure would you feel about your financial future?

- If you are in Christ, then you are a co-heir of God's eternal Kingdom. How secure should that make you feel about your eternal destiny? 

3. Suffering.

- What misconceptions have you (or others) had about suffering?

- Why does a good God allow his people to suffer?

- How have you seen God use suffering? 

- How does the Holy Spirit help us in the midst of suffering? 

1. Praise and thank God for his gracious adoption of all believers through the work of Christ and the indwelling of his Spirit. 

2. Ask God to help you fight your own sin, and cherish your relationship with him, where true joy is found.

3. If you are needing more practical help in the battle, ask God to show you who could be an accountability partner, to help you fight your sin. Then reach out. 

4. Ask the Lord to prompt you daily to spend with him in the Word, prayer, and in worship. 

5. Ask for perseverance through whatever suffering you face. 

6. Rest in the fact that you are a child of God.

Thanks for reading the Bible Study Guide! I pray it helps us "continue to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ" (Eph. 4:15).

Sincerely, your brother in Christ,

Tom Hansen, Senior Pastor