When I was 16 years old, I had lots of questions for God. The answers were a process, but he used words and people to draw me to him. The first truth I really grasped onto was Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Two decades later, I still hold tightly to that promise. I know God so much better now, thanks to words and people and experiences. But there’s still so much I can learn.
I’m slowly working through “If God Is For Us: The Everlasting Truth of Our Great Salvation” by Trilla Newbell. It’s a six-week study of Romans 8.
I keep underlining Trillia Newbell’s words that point me to truths about God’s faithfulness and the freedom he gives. She writes with encouragement and confidence, knowing God truly is for us. I really like the mixture of questions – some focus on studying God’s word and some are personal reflections – and I’m gaining so much context for that promise God showed me when I was a teenager. The margins are jotted with my thoughts as I work through this book and reflect on these past twenty-three years of following God and my recent focus on living faithfully.
About the book
This fresh and inviting approach to Romans 8 with its attractive layout is divided into six weeks of five days each. Every week begins with an overview of what’s ahead and includes prompts to get the reader engaged with the Word. “Respond” questions are for digging into the text and understanding it better. Each day the “Explore” devotions help apply the text to life, and the daily “Reflect” questions guide the reader into prayer and reflection.
The format “If God Is For Us” works well whether done individually or with a group. Newbell shows readers how to find and use various resources to enrich their study: cross-references within the Bible itself, websites, video, and others.
The first week is an overview of the first seven chapters of Romans. Newbell leads up to Romans 8 by examining some great themes of the faith: the fallen human condition and need for salvation; the doctrine of adoption; the struggle with the old nature; peace with God through Christ, and more.
Weeks two through six focus intently on Romans 8. As Newbell goes through the rich teachings of this chapter, the reader not only will become more comfortable with its theology but will appreciate its application to daily life. The keywords called, predestined, conformed, sanctified, justified, glorified are covered, as are major scriptural truths such as the Spirit’s intercession in prayer; our present sufferings compared with future glory; believers being conformed to the image of God’s Son; the promise that God is working all things together for His purposes, which are good. In the final week, five rhetorical questions Paul asks are answered.
- Week 1: No Greater Message: an overview of Romans 1–7
- Week 2: Life in the Spirit: Romans 8:1-11
- Week 3: Heirs with Christ—God’s Children: Romans 8:12-17
- Week 4: Future Glory: Romans 8:18-27
- Week 5: Our Assurance: Romans 8:28-30
- Week 6: Everlasting Love: Romans 8:31-39
When this workable and in-depth study is completed, the reader will better know God, His Son, and the timeless, ringing truths of His Word as declared throughout Romans 8: that God indeed is for us and that absolutely nothing can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
About the author
Trillia Newbell is the author of “Enjoy: Finding the Freedom to Delight Daily in God’s Good Gifts,” “Fear and Faith: Finding the Peace Your Heart Craves,” and “United: Captured by God’s Vision for Diversity,” as well as the kids’ book “God’s Very Good Idea.” (Learn more about Newbell and her books here.) A writer and speaker, she also is currently the director of community outreach for the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission. She and her husband Thern reside with their two children near Nashville, Tennessee.
Giveaway
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I received a free copy of this study and the giveaway opportunity from Side Door Communications in exchange for a review.
This looks like a great study! I’ve just become aware of Tricia as someone else I follow on Twitter and greatly respect retweets her a lot. I’d love to delve into this study!
This is the first thing I’ve studied/read by her, but I’m really loving her wisdom.