Welcome to this week’s conversation guide. It’s this week’s guide for Life Groups, families or even one on one conversations that draw us deeper into the scriptures and closer to Jesus together. Here you’ll find today’s big idea, Scripture passage, worship prompts, sermon notes, life group questions, and ways to respond, give, and get connected.
Session four: restoration / Romans 8:18–30 – Creation waits for redemption; all things work for good
Read: Romans 8:18–30
18Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children,j including the new bodies he has promised us. 24We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don’t need to hopek for it. 25But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)
26And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believersl in harmony with God’s own will. 28And we know that God causes everything to work togetherm for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstbornn among many brothers and sisters. 30And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
Worship
Take some time to read a psalm of praise together, play a favorite worship song or sing a song together. Got kids? Add motions! Dance a little!
Pray
Have someone pray for God’s blessing on the time.
Need help? Here’s an example you could even have someone read: “Dear God, we gather together in Jesus’ name. Thank You for Your Word, for Your Spirit, and for the power they bring into our lives. Thank You for bringing us together. Bless our time as we meet—make it fruitful, help us hear Your voice, and accomplish Your will in us. Draw us closer to You and closer to one another as we share this conversation. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
If you’re short on time, use these three simple “READ, REFLECT, RESPOND” questions to guide your group through a quick, but deep study.
1 – Read
Jesus quoted scripture all the time! There’s power in God’s Word. There’s even more when it’s read aloud together!
- Have someone read the passage aloud to the group. If doing this as a family devotion, take turns reading together. Maybe pick someone new!
- Read from different translations if you’d like
- Assign a starting verse and “go around the room”
- Start the conversation!
- Leaders; LISTEN and KEEP ASKING QUESTIONS!
2 – Reflect
Sometimes the words that stand out to us are the very ones God is using to get our attention. Have everyone in the group or family share here.
- What word or words jump off the page to you, and why?
- Which words intrigue you? Why?
- Which words excite you? Why?
- Which words scare you a little? Why?
- Do any words confuse you? Why?
- How do those words connect to the Big Idea this week?
- Leaders: Go around the room and have EVERYONE pick at least one word! Ask them WHY they think The Spirit led them to it!
3 – Respond
Spiritual formation doesn’t stop at insight. It moves into transformation. Transformation comes through relationship.
- If what God is showing you is true, what’s one step you should take this week in response?
- Who can help you stay committed to helping you respond to the way God is leading you?
- Need to go deeper in one on one? TRY THIS LINK
- Reach out to a Pastor if you need more help!!
- Leaders: Keep a list of prayer requests, and pray through them each week. Assign different people in the group to “Own” praying for someone else!
Use the following six-movement questions to go deeper, especially in group settings. These can be used for extended time, journaling, or second-level discussion.
- Truth – What does this passage say about who God is and what He’s done?
- Problem – What brokenness or sin does it expose in people – in us?
- Solution – How does Jesus meet us or redeem us in light of this problem?
- Change – How could this truth shape or transform our thoughts, behaviors, or desires?
- Response – What can I do today to align more with what God is doing?
- Mission – How can I share this truth or live it out in the world or with others?
Optional Video Reflection
Question: Did you watch this week’s video? What stood out to you? How does it help you understand the verse better, or connect to the Big Idea?
Start With Worship
Say: “Let’s start by telling God how great He is!” (2–3 minutes)
Pick one:
- Sing a favorite worship song together.
- Play a worship song and encourage kids to raise hands, clap, or use motions like we do at Kids Church.
- Let the littles choose an “emotion”—happy face, strong pose, jumping for joy—and worship with that energy.
Tip: It doesn’t have to be perfect. God loves your family’s sound.
Then Pray Together
Say: “Let’s ask God to teach us something today.” (1-2 minutes)
Example Prayer (short + kid friendly):
“Dear God, we gather in Jesus’ name. Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your Spirit. Help us learn together and love You more. Amen.”
Now Read the Bible
Say: “We’re going to read our Bible passage for this week. While we listen, let’s notice one word or part that really stands out.” (1-2 minutes)
- Have a kid read if they’re comfortable.
- Or have an adult read while kids follow along or listen.
ASK: What Jumps Off the Page?
Say: “What word or part did you notice the most? What stood out? Why do you think that happened?” (3-5 minutes)
Everyone shares — kids, parents, teens.
Talk About the Big Idea
Say: “Share The Big Idea for this week. How does what we read in the Bible connect to that?” (2-3 minutes)
Use simple follow-ups:
- “Does this help us know God better?”
- “Does this help us love people better?”
- “How would you explain this to a friend?”
Do a Heart Check
Say: “Let’s think together: What does this verse show us about God? And what does it show us about us?” (3-5 minutes)
Choose kid-friendly prompts like:
- “What do you think God wants us to remember from this?”
- “How does this make you feel about God today?”
- “What is God like in this story/passage?”
Family Response — Live It Out
Say: “What’s one thing we can do as a family this week because of what God showed us?” (2–3 minutes)
Ideas that work for all ages:
- “We can pray for __ every day this week.”
- “We can try to be patient/kind/helpful like God wants.”
- “We can memorize this week’s verse together.”
Memory Verse Moment (Optional but Fun!)
Say: “Our church learns one verse each volume, and we use motions so we remember it in our hearts.” (1–2 minutes)
- Practice the verse once or twice.
- Review motions if kids know them.
- Let older kids help teach motions to younger siblings.
Remind them:
“You get to perform this on Celebration Sunday, so let’s practice with joy!”
Pray to Close
Say: “Let’s thank God for being with us.” – Talk about things that each person may want the group to pray for. Pick someone to pray! (1-2 minutes)
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Lumber City Church Conversation Guide 