In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations,

as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he
considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred
years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah's womb. No distrust made
him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave
glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is
why his faith was “counted to him as righteousness.” But the words “it was counted to
him” were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also. It will be counted to us who
believe in him who raised from the dead Jesus our Lord, who was delivered up for our
trespasses and raised for our justification.
(Romans 4:18-25 ESV)

1. What is the hardest promise of God for you to believe? Why?

2. Read through all of Romans 4. Summarize the big idea that Paul is trying to get
across in your own words.
3. Read Genesis 15. What promise did God give Abram? What was Abram’s
response? What do you think your response would have been?
4. What reason does Paul give for Abraham’s growing faith? Why do you think that
gave Abraham a strong faith?
5. What promise does Paul give us to believe in this passage?
6. Why do you think we struggle to be “fully convinced that God was able to do
what he had promised”?
7. If you were you “fully convinced” how would your life look different?
8. Who is one person you need to tell about what you have learned today?