This study is incredible It is challenging (just get past the first week) but easy to understand

It strengthens your faith, encourages you and makes you seek God more

Given the word "God," without self-editing or over-thinking, what's the word or phrase that comes immediately to mind? If you've been schooled in the false gospel of ceaseless striving, you may come up with words like judgment, severe, or disapproving. After all, it's clear that we are not equipped to measure up on our own to the demands of a holy God.

However, if you're tuned in to the truth of Romans 8, you are living a better story for it begins with the soul-liberating truth:

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."

In If God Is For Us: The Everlasting Truth of Our Great Salvation, Trillia Newbell employs her gospel shovel to turn over the soil of Romans 8, revealing the fertile riches of major themes:

Life in the Spirit

Our role as heirs with Christ

The promise of future glory

Our assurance in the present moment

The everlasting love of God that is the foundation of our life with him.

A Favorite Chapter from a Cherished Book

The six-week in-depth study begins with an overview of the book of Romans and a flying trip through the first seven chapters to serve as background for the material in Romans 8. This is a sound practice to establish here and to carry forward into our independent study of Scripture, because context is crucial to a full understanding of what we read. Evangelical tradition often has us jumping right into application of a passage without a full knowledge of the author's intent.

Insightful questions lead the reader into considering what the passage says AND what it means, urging a full engagement with the text and a deep dive into all that's unknown before giving in to the temptation to consult with the "experts" through commentaries. Then and only then are we ready for application of the truth to our lives, and Romans 8 delivers in so many ways, for not only does it unpack the heart of the gospel, but it offers assurance to those who are "in Christ Jesus" that we can indeed, through the power of the Spirit, live in fellowship with God on this fallen planet he created and loves.

Many thanks to Moody Publishers for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which, of course, is offered freely and with honesty.

If God is For Us by Trillia Newbell is all about Romans chapter 8. She does open us up in our first lesson with an overview of the book and she has us all over Romans but then she narrows in on the richness of chapter 8. She has the book broken into 6 weeks of studying 5 days a week and I felt that the arrangement was really user-friendly to move through. She shares personal insight and asks great questions to spur on thinking and digging deeper, which I personally enjoyed as an Inductive Bible studier myself. I hope to see more by this author in the future.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I am currently doing this Bible study and loving every minute of it! Trillia Newbell does a great job of helping the reader to dig deep into God's Word and the beautiful truths of the gospel. This is a good study for a group or for an individual. Be prepared to marvel at the beauty of the gospel and the God who is for us!

I received a complimentary copy of the study from the publisher. All opinions are my own.

I appreciate the structure of this new Bible study. Doing the study as an individual, I worked at my own pace. But I was propelled to move forward because I found the time spent rewarding. By the second week, the study focuses on only a few verses at a time, which lends itself to time to meditate and digest the text. Newbell offers study questions along with thought provoking reflection and practical questions. In addition, she adds illustrations to drive points home. The study has benefits for a person who has been studying the Bible for years or for a person who is just beginning to learn about the Bible. The format is very flexible and can be used by busy individuals or within a group. I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.