Explosion of hope

Romans 15:13 is the basis for Step 5 of the lesson “Glorify God”, which is summarized in the LifeWay Leader Guide as “Expressing Hope”. Paul prays for happiness (joy) and peace to replace disagreement. He also prays for an overflow of hope. What does he mean by “hope”? How can “overflow” be illustrated? How does an “overflow of hope” result in actions and attitudes that cause others to glorify God?

Calvin and Hobbes were filled with hope by a new snowfall. Life was filled with possibilities. The writer of the Hampton Road Supplemental Teaching Plan makes the point that we can live our lives doing the things that we love to do, but sometimes we need to do things for others when we really don’t want to.

These situations demand that we depend on the power of the Holy Spirit to fill us with hope, peace and joy. Is the Spirit prompting you at this time to do something for someone else? Doing it will bring glory to God and fill you with hope!