Ep. 162 || John Piper’s Encouragement for Moms in Suffering
Read alouds aren’t just for our little ones. We can find great encouragement and joy in having the word of God read over us and explained. So in this special episode, Emily and Laura invite John Piper to read and reflect on what he considers to be the greatest chapter in the Bible, Romans 8. As he walks us through this incredible passage, John Piper connects its themes of suffering and loss to motherhood, encouraging us that no matter how deep the waters of our suffering, God’s unshakeable love is deeper still.
Mentioned on the Show:
* God’s “Discipline:” In the show, the word "discipline" is used to describe God's work in life's hardships to conform us into Christ's likeness as we walk in obedience. The word discipline can have various meanings and implications. If you'd like to learn about the way that Pastor John uses the word in today's show, you can listen to this episode of Ask Pastor John.
Coronavirus and Christ, a new book by John Piper. (Audio and e-book are free for download!)
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RELATED ARTICLES, RESOURCES, AND CONTENT
Related R|M Resources:
Ep. 63, Jen Wilkin: Growing in God’s Word as a Mom of Little Ones
Ep. 160, Walking in the Spirit: An Interview on Faithful Motherhood with Jani Ortlund
Ep. 127, Wisdom for the Everyday: Scripture Memory and Motherhood
Around the web:
We’re grateful to Harvest House Publishers for making this week’s show possible. Check out Love Made by Quina Aragon, Bible Infographics for Kids; and Courageous World Changers by Shirley Raye Redmond at harvesthousepublishers.com. For the rest of April, you can receive free shipping and 40% off most books purchased with the code STAYHOME.
R|M Apply Questions:
As John Piper read Romans 8, what stood out to you? What are some verses or ideas you would like to explore further?
Romans 8 begins with what Pastor John calls “the massive foundation” that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ. What are some sins you struggle with (or have in the past) that you might feel condemned by? How does the truth that “the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death” give you a foundation of hope?
As Romans 8:26 points out, we don’t always know how to pray—especially in times of suffering—but according to verse 28, we do know “that for those who love God all things work together for good.” What’s something hard in your life that you don’t know how to pray about right now? What encouragement can you find in knowing that the Spirit is interceding for you and God is working all things for your good?
As John Piper points out, Romans 8 is absolutely realistic about the depth of hardship and pain we may encounter. But it’s also absolutely clear that none of those things will be able to seperate us from the love of God. What are some hard things in your life that might seem to separate you from the love of God? What encouragement do you find in Romans 8:31–39?
Pastor John encouraged us that “when believing mothers walk through the deepest waters, they are not encountering wrath.” Instead, these things “fit a mother for heaven and for the most fruitful life on earth.” How have you seen the Lord use suffering in your life before to make you more fruitful? How might understanding this purpose for suffering help you to be faithful and hopeful in the midst of present and future suffering?
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