CHAT ROOM DISCUSSION GUIDE
Week 4 — SPIRIT: The Power to Stay
Romans 8 (NLT)
ICEBREAKER QUESTION — “THE DRIFT TEST”
Ask everyone:
“Where is an area of life where you naturally drift without meaning to — exercise, diet, spiritual life, house chores, staying encouraged, daily prayer…?”
Follow-up:
“How quickly do you notice when you’re drifting?”
Purpose:
This warms the room without getting too personal, and it sets up the entire theme of Romans 8 — the Spirit gives us the power to stay aligned when we drift.
SCRIPTURE READING
(All from the NLT.)
Romans 8:1–2 (NLT)
1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus.
2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.
Romans 8:14–17 (NLT)
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves.
Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children.
Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”
16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children.
17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs…
Romans 8:26–27 (NLT)
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.
For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for.
But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words.
27 And the Father… knows what the Spirit is saying…
Romans 8:31–39 (NLT)
31 If God is for us, who can ever be against us?
32 Since he did not spare even his own Son… won’t he also give us everything else?
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love?
37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours…
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love…
39 Nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God…
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. “No Condemnation” — What changes if you really believe it?
Romans 8:1–2
Where in life do you still carry condemnation that God has already removed?
What would freedom feel like in that specific place?
Is this more about believing your past or believing God’s voice?
2. “What the Law Couldn’t Do” — Are you trying harder… or staying aligned?
Romans 8:3–4
Where do you see the difference between working hard for God versus staying aligned with God?
What helps you stay behind Jesus instead of stepping out and trying to fix things yourself?
3. “Slaves vs Sons” — What voice are you responding to?
Romans 8:14–17
Where in your life does the “slave mindset” still speak — fear, guilt, pressure, performance?
How is the Spirit inviting you into belonging this week?
Which is louder in your heart lately — the voice of fear or the voice of Abba?
4. “The Spirit Helps” — Where do you need Him to intercede?
Romans 8:26–27
Is there an area where you don’t even know how to pray right now?
How does it change your perspective knowing the Spirit is praying for you?
Where have you felt too weak to pray — and yet God kept you anyway?
5. “Nothing Can Separate” — What fear needs to be confronted?
Romans 8:31–39
Which fear, insecurity, or uncertainty tries to tell you God might pull away from you?
What truth from Romans 8 confronts that fear?
Let’s name it — which lie does Romans 8 directly silence for you?
PRAYER FOCUS
Leader, pray using these specific truths from Romans 8:
- “There is no condemnation.”
- “You are a child of God.”
- “The Spirit helps you in your weakness.”
- “Nothing can separate you from His love.”
- “The Spirit is giving you the power to stay aligned with Jesus.”
Invite brief, simple prayers from the room:
“Holy Spirit, help me stay where grace has placed me.”
ADDITIONAL INSIGHT PROMPTS (OPTIONAL FOR LEADERS)
Use these if the discussion stalls or you want to go deeper:
- “Where in your life do you most feel the drift Paul describes in Romans 7?”
- “What is the difference between discipline and dependence — and which one do you lean toward?”
- “How does being adopted, rather than hired, change how you see your relationship with God?”
- “Which verse in Romans 8 gives you the most confidence right now?”
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