God Speaks Through Circumstances • Romans 8:26-35
By Don Hicks
Today’s lesson is based on one of the most important scriptures in the New Testament. To understand why I would make this claim, you will need to read all of the eighth chapter of Romans. Romans 8:28 is my wife’s favorite scripture verse. “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,” (Romans 8:28 CSB).
A Bible truth that is available to help us find God’s will at any time, in any circumstance, must already be hidden in you. The Psalmist says it this way, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, That I might not sin against thee,” (Psalm 119:9-11 KJV).
Are you curious about what your class members’ favorite verses are? If you really want to know, the only way to find out is to ask them. Don’t surprise them! If many of your class members have come through years in Sunday School where they were asked this question they will return to old faithful John 11:35. You do remember John 11:35 don’t you? “Jesus wept,” (KJV or CSB).
To get meaningful answers about favorite Bible verses, alert class members ahead of Sunday about this question. If your class has a Facebook page, tell them early in the week you’re going to ask. If you have a text group where you normally share prayer requests tell them about your plan, ask for favorite Bible verses. Or if you use care groups, ask those group leaders to share this plan.
Since we are studying a beautifully written, victorious scripture passage, let’s use it to refocus the class specifically on God’s promises to each of us individually. Consider getting someone who can prepare and do a dramatic reading of Romans 8:25-39. Here are some suggestions for finding a person to do this dramatic reading:
- First consider someone so obvious that they just popped into your head immediately when you first considered this suggestion.
- Do you have a speech teacher in your church?
- Would your pastor do this well?
- Consider your deacons or other church leaders.
- How about doing it yourself?
After the dramatic reading give the class time to react.
This triumphant passage is filled with promises God makes to us:
- “Now if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with patience,” Romans 8:2
- “The Spirit also helps us 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,” Romans 8:26.
- “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,” Romans 8:28.
I can remember one time when God spoke very clearly to my wife and me through circumstances which greatly changed our understanding of God’s call on our lives. In March of 1972, Judy was working as the Music Secretary at University Baptist Church in Fort Worth, Texas, and I was attending classes in the school of theology at Southwestern Baptist Seminary. It was a very exciting time for us. We were greatly looking forward to the birth of our first child.
We were committed to my wife staying home with our baby. Judy gave notice to the church she would quit work just shortly before the baby was to be born and I had taken a part-time night job as a custodian at a local school. That would only lengthen my time at seminary a little bit and I could go back to pastoring, probably, in New Mexico. Our little boy was stillborn.
Our church was very supportive and invited us to come into Harry Piland’s office for Judy to talk about her coming back to work as a receptionist. While we were talking, I asked Harry about a vacancy University Baptist had for a Children’s Minister. Harry looked directly at me and said, “Don, you really love children. We will talk to you about joining our ministerial staff as Children’s Minister.” God moved quickly and the church called me as Children’s Minister, Judy was employed as my secretary, and I changed from the School of Theology to the School of Christian Education. God definitely spoke to us through circumstances!
Hicks is a member of Park Place Baptist Church, Pearl.
Comments are closed.