What would change if you really understood all that God has done and is doing for you?
We may know in our heads that God is for us, that there’s great hope in his relationship with us and salvation for us, but sometimes these truths can be hard to believe in the midst of exhaustion, busyness, and a world of spiritual and physical opposition. In her new devotional Bible Study, If God is For Us (Moody Publishers), Trillia Newbell zeroes in on Romans 8, helping to cement in our souls the great truths of our salvation and an understanding for how the Holy Spirit guides our new life in the Spirit, all found in this beloved chapter of Scripture.
About If God is For Us:
- If God Is For Us . . . An Enriching and Comprehensive Six-Week Study of Romans 8 By Trillia J. Newbell“If God is for us . . .” The title of Trillia Newbell’s latest book is captivating. Is God for us? And if He is, what then?
Whether a reader is new to Bible study or is a seasoned student of Scripture, the book of Romans written by Paul is found to be both rich and complex—while its complexities can be challenging, but they are not impenetrable.
There are many ways to approach God’s Word, but as Newbell says, “The important thing is to do it, to spend quality time with God’s living and active words about Himself and the supremacy of His Son. My primary goal in this study is to make it a little easier for you to do that.”
This fresh and inviting approach to Romans 8 with its attractive layout is divided into six weeks of five days each. Every week begins with an overview of what’s ahead and includes prompts to get the reader engaged with the Word. “Respond” questions are for digging into the text and understanding it better. Each day the “Explore” devotions help apply the text to life, and the daily “Reflect” questions guide the reader into prayer and reflection.
The format of the book works well whether done individually or with a group. Newbell shows readers how to find and use various resources to enrich their study: cross-references within the Bible itself, websites, video, and others.
The first week is an overview of the first seven chapters of Romans. Newbell leads up to Romans 8 by examining some great themes of the faith: the fallen human condition and need for salvation; the doctrine of adoption; the struggle with the old nature; peace with God through Christ, and more.Weeks two through six focus intently on Romans 8. As Newbell deftly goes through the rich teachings of this chapter, the reader not only will become more comfortable with its theology but will appreciate its application to daily life. The key words called, predestined, conformed, sanctified, justified, glorified are covered, as are major scriptural truths such as the Spirit’s intercession in prayer; our present sufferings compared with future glory; believers being conformed to the image of God’s Son; the promise that God is working all things together for His purposes, which are good. In the final week, five rhetorical questions Paul asks are answered.
When this workable and in-depth study is completed, the reader will better know God, His Son, and the timeless, ringing truths of His Word as declared throughout Romans 8: that God indeed is for us and that absolutely nothing can ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
- Week 1: No Greater Message: an overview of Romans 1–7
- Week 2: Life in the Spirit: Romans 8:1-11
- Week 3: Heirs with Christ—God’s Children: Romans 8:12-17
- Week 4: Future Glory: Romans 8:18-27
- Week 5: Our Assurance: Romans 8:28-30
- Week 6: Everlasting Love: Romans 8:31-39
If God Is For Us: The Everlasting Truth of Our Great Salvation by Trillia J. Newbell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
First of all, you will notice I have not put this in my “read” shelf yet. There’s a reason for that. This is a heavy book filled with Biblical truths in which the reader can delve deeply into the Scriptures. Originally, I considered finishing the entire study before reviewing it, but to do so would have caused me to miss so much wonderful truth. While I have done plenty of cursory reading and reflecting in this book, I am still working my way through the study portion of this book. To be honest, I may never put it on my “read” shelf until the truth really sinks in!
I have been doing Bible studies most of my life, and there is nothing I enjoy better than a study just like this one. It’s broken down into days so that studying the chapter of Romans 8 is not an overwhelming task, and the reader really gets to delve into the meat of the Scripture. If you have been subsisting on spiritual milk and soft foods, this is the one to really whet your appetite. You are expected to do what is required and read, research, answer questions, and truly reflect on how this particular chapter of the Bible can change your life as a believer.
Up to this point, I haven’t seen anything that I don’t agree with, but there may be something as I continue going. However, everything is Biblically-based, and a conservative view of the Scriptures is always espoused. There’s not a lot of controversies to be had on the foundational principles of the faith, and there is no doubt this book continues to bring you back to, “What does the Bible say?” There is plenty of room to answer the questions, and if you are unfamiliar with studying your Bible in depth, this may be the perfect book to start your quest!
About Trillia Newbell
Trillia Newbell is the author of the kids’ book God’s Very Good Idea, as well as Enjoy: Finding the Freedom to Delight Daily in God’s Good Gifts (2016), Fear and Faith: Finding the Peace Your Heart Craves (2015), United: Captured by God’s Vision for Diversity (2014) and her latest, If God is For Us (2019). Her writings on issues of faith, family, and diversity have been published in the Knoxville News-Sentinel, Desiring God, True Woman, Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, and more. She has spoken at numerous conferences, churches, women’s retreats, colleges and seminaries, including True Woman, The Gospel Coalition Women’s conference, Southeastern Theological Seminary, and more. She currently is the Director of Community Outreach for the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission for the Southern Baptist Convention. Her greatest love besides God is her family. She is married to her best friend and love, Thern. They reside with their two children near Nashville, TN.
Connect with Tillia
Would you like to win your own copy of this book? Enter the rafflecopter form by April 18th as long as you are in the U.S., and you’re into win!
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3 Comments
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I would like to win this book as it would be so perfect for our Women’s Bible Study group.
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I would like to win this for my aunt. She is going through some trials right now and this book could help.
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What a lovely giveaway. It is just in time for Easter. I am reading Daniel.
Marilyn
