Questions for Discussion & Application

1. What questions do you have about today’s passage?
2. As heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, what is the inheritance that we look forward to? (See Revelation 21:1-5 & I Corinthians 15:51-57)
3. All people suffer in this fallen world, but how do Christians suffer because they are Christians?
4. How have you experienced suffering as a Christian?
5. Why might suffering be a necessary part of the journey to our future glory?
6. What helps us to endure suffering as Christians? (See verse 18.)
7. What does it mean to have the “firstfruits of the Spirit”? What evidence do you see of the Spirit’s presence in your own life?  How does the Spirit’s presence in your life strengthen your hope that you will one day receive the promised future inheritance?
8. What does it mean to “groan inwardly” as we await our future inheritance?
9. What does this groaning look like in your own life?