Romans 8:18–39

“The Love of God, Which Is in Christ” 

Have you ever been tempted to wonder during frustrating, unfair, or difficult situations if God cares about you? Paul’s letter to the Saints in Rome, some of whom endured horrible trials, includes a comforting message for any who suffer. This lesson can help you feel hope and comfort through the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ as you face trials and uncertainty. 

Gospel learning is a home-centered activity. Look for opportunities to encourage students to share what they experience in seminary with their families and to share what they learn at home with their classmates.

Student preparation: Invite students to do something for a family member that shows their love through actions rather than words and to be prepared to share what they learned from this experience.

Possible Learning Activities

What would you prescribe?

Think about what a doctor might suggest to help with the following conditions:

Consider inviting students to suggest what they might recommend if they were the doctor. Volunteers could be invited to the front of the class and be given a paper with a common physical ailment such as those listed below. They could each describe their ailment and seek some brief advice on how to treat their condition.

Stomach flu
Broken toe
Migraine headache
A cold

Answer the following questions:

What specific advice might be given for each of those conditions?
What general advice might help treat all of those conditions?

Of course, not all trials are physical in nature. Many people suffer through mental, emotional, and spiritual challenges. Our Savior knows how to help and strengthen each of us, regardless of what we are struggling with. While each person’s trials are unique, God has taught us eternal truths that can help and comfort us in any difficult situation. In your study journal, make a short list of trials that you or your loved ones would like help with.

Consider passing out slips of paper and inviting each student to anonymously write down one trial that they are or a loved one is enduring. Inform students that what they write may be shared anonymously with the class. Collect the papers, silently read them, and write several different trials on the board that are most relevant—especially those mentioned by more than one student. Refer students to this list as they answer the following question and at appropriate times throughout the lesson.

What do you already know about Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the plan of salvation that helps you with these trials? How has that knowledge helped you?

While your testimony does not minimize the reality, painfulness, or difficulty of trials that you and your loved ones experience, it can provide hope, comfort, and an eternal perspective during those trials.

Consider displaying the following scripture references.

Just a few years after Paul sent his epistle to the Romans, the Saints in Rome suffered horrific persecutions. Read Romans 8:18, 24–25, 28, 31–39, and mark each phrase that you believe could help or comfort someone, regardless of their specific tribulations.

Invite students to complete the following activity in their study journals.

Record a phrase from these verses that impressed you. Why did you choose that phrase?

At this point, invite several students to share the phrase they recorded. As they share, consider pointing to specific trials on the list on the board and asking them to explain how the truths contained in the phrase they identified could help and comfort someone in that specific situation.

Record how knowing the truths taught in that phrase can help you and your loved ones with some of your specific tribulations.
Consider memorizing the phrase you chose. You could also create a daily reminder of this phrase on an electronic device or write it down and place it where you will see it every day for the next several days.

The following section of the lesson focuses on one phrase found in Romans 8:39. Feel free to focus on one or more different phrases or truths taught in Romans 8 if they are more relevant to students.

The love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

Before sharing the following truth, invite students who completed the student preparation suggestion to share what they did to show their love for someone.

One of the phrases you might have marked in these verses teaches the truth that “[nothing can] separate us from the love of God” (Romans 8:39).

Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want you to know that They love you. They show that love through both actions and words.

According to Romans 8:32, what did Heavenly Father do to show that He loves you?

Read the doctrinal mastery passage found in John 3:16, and notice what the Savior taught about Heavenly Father’s reason for sending His Son to earth. You may want to cross-reference or link this passage to Romans 8:32.

To help students feel the Holy Ghost testify to them of God’s love, consider inviting them to sing or listen to the Primary song “He Sent His Son” (Children’s Songbook, 34–35).

The Savior’s willingness to atone for our sins is also evidence of His love for us (see Romans 8:34–35; Doctrine and Covenants 34:1–3).

When have you felt the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ in your life? How has Their love helped you through tribulations?

Consider sharing a personal example of how understanding God’s love has helped during times of adversity.

In your study journal, record what you have learned today about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ that you want to remember. You might also consider writing a note and giving it to a family member or friend who may benefit from something you learned or felt today.

Commentary and Background Information

What does it mean that the suffering we go through on earth is “not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”? (Romans 8:18)

Sister Linda S. Reeves, former Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, taught:

11:22

I do not know why we have the many trials that we have, but it is my personal feeling that the reward is so great, so eternal and everlasting, so joyful and beyond our understanding that in that day of reward, we may feel to say to our merciful, loving Father, “Was that all that was required?” I believe that if we could daily remember and recognize the depth of that love our Heavenly Father and our Savior have for us, we would be willing to do anything to be back in Their presence again, surrounded by Their love eternally. What will it matter … what we suffered here if, in the end, those trials are the very things which qualify us for eternal life and exaltation in the kingdom of God with our Father and Savior?

(Linda S. Reeves, “Worthy of Our Promised Blessings,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2015, 11)

How can our trials “work together for [our] good”? (Romans 8:28)

Elder James B. Martino of the Seventy said:

2:3

Our Heavenly Father, who loves us completely and perfectly, permits us to have experiences that will allow us to develop the traits and attributes we need to become more and more Christlike. Our trials come in many forms, but each will allow us to become more like the Savior as we learn to recognize the good that comes from each experience. As we understand this doctrine, we gain greater assurance of our Father’s love. We may never know in this life why we face what we do, but we can feel confident that we can grow from the experience.

(James B. Martino, “All Things Work Together for Good,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 101)

What does it mean that nothing can “separate us from the love of God”? (Romans 8:39)

President Thomas S. Monson (1927–2018) said:

Your Heavenly Father loves you—each of you. That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not changed by your talents and abilities. It is simply there. It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there.

(Thomas S. Monson, “We Never Walk Alone,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2013, 123–24)

Since God is so loving, will He save everyone regardless of their choices?

Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught the following about the love of God:

15:8

[God’s] love is described in scripture as “great and wonderful love,” “perfect love,” “redeeming love,” and “everlasting love.” These are better terms because the word unconditional can convey mistaken impressions about divine love, such as, God tolerates and excuses anything we do because His love is unconditional, or God makes no demands upon us because His love is unconditional, or all are saved in the heavenly kingdom of God because His love is unconditional. God’s love is infinite and it will endure forever, but what it means for each of us depends on how we respond to His love.

(D. Todd Christofferson, “Abide in My Love,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2016, 48)