“After the rain, the sun will reappear. There is life. After the pain, the joy will still be here.”
Walt Disney
Passage
1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.
3And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance;
4and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;
5and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
6For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans 5:1–6 (NASB95)
Background
Quote-Walter Elias Disney (/ˈdɪzni/;[2] December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966) was an American animator, film producer and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the American animation industry, he introduced several developments in the production of cartoons. As a film producer, he holds the record for most Academy Awards earned and nominations by an individual. He was presented with two Golden Globe Special Achievement Awards and an Emmy Award, among other honors. Several of his films are included in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress and have also been named as some of the greatest films ever by the American Film Institute.
Passage-The book of Romans is a Pauline Epistle (letter from Paul). The Apostle Paul wrote it roughly about 56-57 A.D. The key personalities in the book of Romans are the Apostle Paul, and Phoebe who delivered this letter. Paul wrote the letter to the believers in Rome, hence the name “Romans”. He wrote it to give them a concrete theological foundation on which to construct their faith and to live for and serve God effectively.
The book of Romans reveals the answers to important questions and supplies information on many topics, such as salvation, the sovereignty of God, judgment, spiritual growth, and the righteousness of God. Many scholars also describe it as The Gospel and the Righteousness of God, which can be received only by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ.
Lesson Notes
Opening Statement
We are in the boat with Jesus. Shouldn’t the storms have passed by now? Why haven’t the difficulties moved on and how are we supposed to be happy and joyful when these troubles still persist?
Ask: Where does joy and happiness come from in our lives?
Point: “Doing things I enjoy” is the dictionary defining a word with that word. Fun things. Happy things. Things that do not entail sadness, pain, or sorrow have the potential to be joyful things.
Ask: What fuels joy? What makes it run?
Point: Hope.
Ask: What makes hope the fuel that powers joy?
Point: The idea that where I am now, what I’m experienceing now is going to improve somehow. Please read the following:
1Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2For by it the men of old gained approval.
3By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
Hebrews 11:1–3 (NASB95)
Ask: We have faith that what we hope for will come about but what makes that faith certain those things will happen?
Point: Please read the following:
2We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers;
3constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father,
4knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you;
1 Thessalonians 1:2–4 (NASB95)
Ask: What in that passage reassures our faith that what we hope for will come about?
Point: "Your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."
Ask: Can we sum that up in one word?
Point: Yes, obedience. Please read the following:
19For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous.
20The Law came in so that the transgression would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,
21so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5:19–21 (NASB95)
Ask: How does Jesus' obedience translate to ours powering our faith for hope to fuel our joy?
Point: Because we do what Jesus said to do. We are obedient to His ways in what He commanded us to do. Please read the following:
3For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh,
4for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
5We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,
6and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.
2 Corinthians 10:3–6 (NASB95)
Ask: How do we know what to be obedient to?
Point: The Holy Spirit. Please read the following:
12Again Isaiah says, “There shall come the root of Jesse, And He who arises to rule over the Gentiles, In Him shall the Gentiles hope.”
13Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 15:12–13 (NASB95)
Ask: How do we find out what the Hoy Spirit wants us to do?
Point: We ask. Please read the following:
10Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor;
11not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
12rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer,
13contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.
Romans 12:10–13 (NASB95)
Ask: How do we know this brings us to the other side of the storm where the joy is?
Point: Because Jesus said so and we can believe Him. We can put our faith in Him. We can have hope in Him. Please read the following closing statement:
30“Now we know that You know all things, and have no need for anyone to question You; by this we believe that You came from God.”
31Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe?
32“Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.
33“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”
John 16:30–33 (NASB95)