Romans 8:28 | And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
What promise is made in Romans 8:28 for God’s people?
How can remembering this promise help when you’re facing a situation that doesn’t seem good or that is without hope?
Psalm 139:5a, 7b, 10b | You go before me and follow me… I can never get away from your presence… your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me.
What do we learn about God’s presence from Psalm 139?
How can remember these promises about God’s presence help when you’re struggling or facing a situation that seems impossible?
How can you let God’s strength support you? What does that mean for your thoughts? Attitudes? Actions?
Isaiah 40:28-31 | Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
What characteristics of God are described in Isaiah 40:28-31?
How do these characteristics show that God can be trusted, even when a situation seems impossible?
What promise is made for those two trust in our God who never grows tired or weary?
What situations are you facing now or have you faced in the past that make you feel exhausted, weary, or weak? How can you surrender these things to the Lord?
Psalm 62:5-8 | Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me. O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.
What does it mean that the Lord is a rock? A fortress? A refuge? [If you’re not sure, look up the definitions of these words!]
Exodus 14:14 | The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.
Do you struggle with wanting to fight your own battles? In what ways? Why?
Do you ever stress when situations are out of your control? In what ways? Why?
We’ve come a long way as we’ve looked at the adventure disciples take as they follow Jesus. Our theme Journey started with realizing our sin, recognizing our need for a Savior, responding to Jesus’ invitation to come, and then transforming as new creations through the Holy Spirit. Then we saw that like clay shaped by a potter or a tree pruned by a gardener, God’s followers undergo times of reshaping so that they are able to bear much fruit. God grows us to understand our reshaped purpose and refines our endurance through times of testing and trial. That endurance is important according to our theme verse–
Hebrews 12:1 | Therefore… let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race (or the journey) God has set before us.
Read MoreJames 1:12 | God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
What does it look like to patiently endure testing and temptation?
What promise does God make for those who patiently endure the temptations and trials of this life?
1st Peter 4:12-13 | Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world.
What trials or times of testing have you gone through?
