Survival Quest
Introduction Session 2

• Appreciating good stress (eustress) and managing bad stress (distress)
• understanding what life through the Spirit means
• How this understanding can form much of the
Godly solutions we need in facing stresses in life

Distress versus Eustress

Eustress
• Good stress or euphoric stress or happy stress
• Eustress consists of two parts:
– The prefix eu- derives from the Greek word meaning either "well" or "good"
– When attached to the word stress, it literally means "good stress“

Eustress

Distress
• Bad stress - extreme anxiety, sorrow, or pain
• What if you pull the rubber band as wide as possible?
What happens?
– will snap
– loses its stretch
– become useless
• Distress in our lives
– Creates health problems
– Makes us irritable and emotional
– Cause us to lose perspective and make rash, illogical decisions
– Reduce our ability to think clearly

Inquiry Action 1.2
1. Throughout the passage in Romans 8, we see a dramatic contrast in trying to live the human way versus living by God’s
Spirit.
Verse The human way Verse The human way
8:7
8:7
8:7
8:15
8:18
8:1
8:2-3 condemnation
Sin
8:3
8:5
Weakened by the flesh i.e. sinful nature
Live according to the flesh i.e. natural desires
8:6, 13 death
Hostile, enemy of God
Not submissive
Cannot please God
Slave to fear suffering
8:20
8:21
8:21
8:22
8:35
8:35
8:35
8:35
8:35
8:35
8:35
Frustration or futility
In bondage decay or corruption groaning
Trouble or tribulation
Hardship or distress persecution famine nakedness danger
Sword(fighting, war, death)

8:6
8:10
8:14
8:14
8:17
Verse
8:1
8:5
8:17, 18,
30
8:19
8:20, 23-
24
8:21
Inquiry Action 1.2
The way of God’s Spirit Verse The way of God’s Spirit
8:26 Spirit prays for us Not condemned
Set the mind on the things of the Spirit or what the Spirit desires life and peace
8:28 God works for our good
8:29 Predestined to conform to His image
8:30 called righteousness
Led by the Spirit
8:30 Justified (just as if we had not sinned)
Sons of God
Heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ glory
Eager expectation or longing hope
Freedom/liberty
8:31 God is for us
8:32 Freely/graciously gives us all things
8:34 Christ prays or intercedes for us
8:37 More than conquerors
8:38-
39
Never separated from God’s love

Inquiry-Action 1.2
2. Based on your descriptions, which way of thinking would be the best if you were facing a serious crisis? Why?
Discussion
Example:
God’s way, because it is the way of blessing, hope and peace.

Inquiry-Action 1.2
3. Check verses 1 and 9 and explain how a person can change from a natural way of thinking to a spiritual way of thinking.
Discussion
Example:
He must have the Spirit of God who comes to live in a person at the point of salvation. The Holy
Spirit provides comfort, direction and hope for the future.

Inquiry-Action 1.2
4. Check verse 15. The verse “Abba, Father” is very intimate and endearing. It is the picture of a little child who has climbed into his dad’s lap, given him a big hug and said, “You’re my sweet papa.” As a adopted child of God, what special protections and privileges do you have? Name at least three based on the passage.
Example:
God eternally loves us, nothing can break the bond between us, He gives us all things and works for our good, etc..

Inquiry-Action 1.2
5. Check verse 28. God has a big plan and can see the end from the beginning. Some things that seem so bad now turn out to be a blessing later. In hindsight, you can see how God was protecting you or working things to your eventual good. Write one example of this from your personal experience.
Share your experience with your group members.

Inquiry-Action 1.2
6. Check verses 35 through 39. Paul wrote a long list of things that cannot separate us from God, then said, “…nor any other creature/created thing.” Think about the challenges or problems you face. Can any of them separate you from the love of Christ? Why or why not?
Clue: verse 37

Inquiry-Action 1.2
7. Check verse 37. Being more than a conqueror is an interesting idea. If you win, you are a conqueror.
But how can you be more than a conqueror? Write at least two sentences to explain your ideas.
Example:
Learning from each experience, gaining more maturity and strength to face other trials, growing in faith so that new problems can be handled better, learning patience and trust, being able to help others who are now going through problems, etc.

Inquiry-Action 1.2
5
1
2
3
4
8. Below are five principles based on Romans 8.
Write the numerals 1 through 5 next to them to show their order in the Scripture.
Tough times don’t have to overwhelm us. We can overcome them through His love and power.
Even in tough times, God has a purpose and a plan to bless us and make the eventual outcome good.
Tough times cannot separate us from God’s love and the future glory we will share with Him.
Doing things man’s way (the natural way) is opposed to doing things
God’s way.
Christians are God’s children and can be directed by His Spirit living in them.