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Discussion Guide

Main Idea: In heaven, we will be surprised at who is there…and who is not there!

CONNECTING:

Do you know people who have grown up in a Christian home, studied the Bible or attended church regularly that now are hardened against Christ? Do you have an idea of why they walked away?
Read Romans 11:1-10. How is the problem of 11:1 similar to the one in Romans 9:6? How does the example of Paul’s life begin to answer this question?

UNDERSTANDING:

Read Romans 11:1-6. What does God’s gracious “foreknowledge” mean? How does the Apostle Paul contrast our “works” with God’s “grace in Romans 11:5-6?

How does Elijah (11:2-5) remind us of why some unexpected people are followers of Jesus Christ? Read Elijah’s story in 1 Kings 19. Why did he feel alone? How did God help him through his discouragement?

Read Romans 11:7-10. How can we understand “hardening” based on the Old Testament quotations in this section? How does Romans 10:1 help me with my response to those who appear “hardened”?

LIVING:

Are there people you think are beyond God’s reach? Are you ever tempted to think that even God has given up on them? How can you correct this mistaken attitude?

Why do we often get “used to” the unbelief of people we know? Why might we stop grieving over their hardened hearts? How can this passage help us not give up on them?

ASSIGNMENT:

Does the gospel still apply to Jewish people? Is it right to try to win them (or Muslims and Hindus) to Christ? Do a web search for Christian organizations or Messianic Churches that reach out to Jewish people. Report to your group what you learn about these devoted believers.