Bible Reading
Romans 8:32 “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”
[23:29]Genesis 22:1-14 “After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.” So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac. And he cut the wood for the burnt offering and arose and went to the place of which God had told him. On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes and saw the place from afar. Then Abraham said to his young men, “Stay here with the donkey; I and the boy will go over there and worship and come again to you.” And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son. And he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So they went both of them together. And Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father!” And he said, “Here I am, my son.” He said, “Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for a burnt offering?” Abraham said, “God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son.” So they went both of them together. When they came to the place that God had told him of, Abraham built the altar there and laid the wood in order and bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to slaughter his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven and said, “Abraham, Abraham!” And he said, “Here I am.” He said, “Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him, for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.” And Abraham lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him was a ram, caught in a thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son. So Abraham called the name of that place, “The Lord will provide”; as it is said to this day, “On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.”
[25:29]Romans 8:28-30 “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
[15:11]Observation questions
- In Romans 8:28–30, what are the steps Paul names in God’s work of salvation, and which step does he speak of as already complete?
- In Romans 8:32, what did God not withhold, and what does Paul say God will graciously give along with His Son? [36:50]
- In Genesis 22:1–14, what does Abraham say when Isaac asks about the sacrifice, and what does God provide in Isaac’s place?
- What connections are made between Abraham’s willingness not to spare Isaac and God’s choice not to spare His own Son? [33:47]
Interpretation questions
- Why does Paul ground confidence that God is “for us” in God’s past actions—foreknowing, calling, justifying, and glorifying His people—rather than in present circumstances? [17:01]
- How does Jesus bearing condemnation change the meaning of hardship for a believer? How is loving discipline different from punishment for sins already carried by Christ? [19:14]
- Romans 8:32 does not promise that every desired outcome will happen immediately. What does it mean, then, that God will graciously give His children “all things”? [37:35]
- Why is Genesis 22 an important background for understanding the cost and generosity of God giving His Son for sinners? [34:33]
Application questions
- When hardship comes, does the heart tend to ask, “What did I do wrong?” What might it look like to bring a more gospel-shaped question to God: “What are You teaching me, and how are You meeting me here?” [18:42]
- Is there a current struggle with sin, failure, or shame where trying harder has become the main plan? How could receiving Christ’s forgiveness and unconditional love change the way that struggle is faced? [20:31]
- What burden—related to health, family, work, finances, or another concern—has been carried as though everything depends on personal effort? What would it look like to place that burden before the Father who has shown His heart by giving Jesus? [39:08]
- What specific need or desire has been difficult to ask God for because it has seemed unlikely that He wants to help? How does Romans 8:32 invite honest and bold prayer without demanding a particular outcome? [38:12]
- Where is there an unanswered “why” that still causes pain or confusion? What would it mean to ask God not only for an explanation, but also for the peace and assurance of His presence? [43:18]
- Which truth about God’s love is understood in the mind but needs to become more settled in the heart—especially when fear, sickness, or stress rises? What simple practice could help keep the cross in view this week? [45:41]
