THE CHURCH OF
PENTECOST – 2016 BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE
WEEK 33 – SUNDAY
MORNING, AUGUST 14, 2016
TOPIC:
CHRISTIAN SUFFERING
Main Text: James 1:2-4
Memory Verse: Psalm 119:67 Before
I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your Word.
Introduction
Suffering has
been defined as a pain we are unable to do anything about. The causes of this
pain may include famine, poverty, natural disasters, earthquakes, floods, fire,
accidents; airplanes and motor crashes, as well as sickness and diseases.
Others are sexual abuse, crime etc. Suffering could also be the removal or
reduction of one or more of the things that make up the good things of life as
we know them. These things may include; money, cars, loved ones, friends,
health, marriage, sex, job, house, possessions, social life, etc. The issue of Christian
suffering is one of the most difficult matters in Christianity. People have
asked, why did God create man if He knew he would suffer? Why does God allow
evil if He is a good God? If He cares, why doesn’t he do something? Why did he
desert me? Indeed suffering is real and the questions we need to ask as
Christians include: How can we make sense of it? What can we learn from it?
Can we overcome it? The purpose of our studies on suffering is to better understand
why God allows suffering, the sources of suffering and the Christian response
to suffering.
Discussion
Questions
1. How do you
understand ‘trials of many kinds’ as indicated in verse 2?
2. What should
be our attitude in suffering? Verse 2
3. What are the
purposes of suffering? Verses 3 and 4.
4. Could you
identify other purposes of suffering as found in the Bible?
5. What lessons
have you learnt from today’s study?
Conclusion
From our study,
we learnt that trials may come to us in diverse ways whether we pray for it or
not. Jesus said that in this world we will face many trials but He has overcome
the world. Trials of many kinds imply that it shall be in diverse forms. The
purpose of suffering is, among other things, to develop in us perseverance and
make us mature, lacking nothing. God uses these trials to develop great virtues
in us to: make us obedient (Ps. 119:67), drive us to pray (Rom. 8:26), make us understand
others better (2 Cor. 1:3-4) and bring out the best in us (Rom. 5:3-4).
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THE CHURCH OF
PENTECOST – 2016 HOME CELL OUTLINE
WEEK 33 – SUNDAY
EVENING, AUGUST 14, 2016.
TOPIC: BOLDNESS
IN PRAYER (THE PARABLE OF THE FRIEND IN NEED)
Main Text: Luke 11: 5-8
Memory Verse: 1 Peter 5:7 Give
all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you.
Introduction
Christ has not
promised a Christian life without challenges. However, He promises His
unfailing love and faithfulness. Our relationship with Him demands that we cast
all our cares upon him no matter the circumstances. This calls for boldness in
prayer and confidence in the Lord. The parable teaches us about boldness in
prayer. Boldness does not imply making unreasonable demands or giving God ultimatums,
but rather going to Him in confident trust that He will answer when we call.
Discussion
Questions
1. To whom did
the man go when he was in need? (verse 5)
2. At what time
did he make his request? (verse 5)
3. Why was his
request granted? (verse 8)
4. What does the
parable tell us about prayer?
5. What should
we do in our time of need?
6. Share a
testimony of how God recently answered your bold request.
Conclusion
Christ our
friend and mediator has made the way for us to enter God’s presence with
confidence and boldness (Hebrews 4:16). One of the lessons we can learn from this
parable is that, having a good relationship with the Lord enables us to go to
his presence in boldness. The man in the parable went to his friend at midnight
to request for a favour. This means that as Christians we can go to God anytime
in prayer. Our communication with God should not be limited to times and
seasons.
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