Palm Sunday - More Than Conquerors

Today is Palm Sunday. It’s a day we often see our young children sing and wave palm branches, remembering that first Palm Sunday when large crowds waved palm branches and shouted, “Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” Literally, “Lord, save us!” While this was an incredibly joyful occasion, it was also the day families would be selecting their lamb to be slaughtered for the Passover. Unbeknownst to people, the Father in heaven was revealing His selected “Lamb” of God who would take away the sin of the world. What benefits and blessings there are from this blood that was shared! Today let’s discover some of those blessings.

Romans 8:28-39

28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. 29 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. 30 And those whom He predestined He also called, and those whom He called He also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified.

God's Everlasting Love

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 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? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died - more than that, who was raised - who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

“For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

DISCIPLESHIP CONVERSATIONS

For Adult Homes or Groups
1. Do you tend to see the glass half-full or half-empty?
2. Read Romans 8:28-39. Lately, have you felt more like a conqueror or conquered?
3. What confidence does verse 28 give believers about events that occur in their lives? When has it been the hardest for you to believe this?
4. Of all the agents listed in verse 35, which is most threatening to you?
5. “God works for the good” (v. 28), “called, justified, glorified” (v. 30), “God is for us... He did not spare His own Son... how will He not also graciously give us all things?” (vv. 31-32). Which of these verses offers you the best news for what you are going through right now?
6. Take some time to pray and ask God for greater faith for yourself and for those the Holy Spirit puts on your mind.

Families with Kids
1. Read Romans 8:35-39 with your family.
2. Have everyone share about a time when you were separated from your parent/parents. Did you find your parents, or did they find you? How did it feel to be with them again?
3. Romans 8 reminds us that nothing can separate us from God. Can God find you when you are lost in the store? How about when you are on vacation in another state? Or when you are playing hide and seek with your friends? Whether it’s when we are physically lost, or when we are lost in sin, God always finds us. Nothing separates us from His love!
4. Bonus activity: This week, play a game of hide and seek with your family. If you have older kids, you can switch it up by playing flashlight tag instead! After you play, ask your kids how this game is similar to what you discussed in Question 3. How is it different?