03 how to build strong faith

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  • 7/29/2019 03 How to Build Strong Faith

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    Hw BS Fh

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    Hw BS FhSix BiBle Study leSSonS

    for Group diScipleShip

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    hw uss MaaIn Victory, th priary vnu for disciplship

    happns in a sall group. It is calld a Victory group.

    W strongly ncourag vryon to b involvd sinc

    these groups are specically designed to help disciplesgrow spiritually.

    A Victory group ting has thr sctions: Cc,

    W, and P, and idally lasts fro forty to

    sixty inuts.

    ConneCt (5-10 ms)

    Victory group tings bgin with a ti to rlat with

    on anothr. Dpnding on th popl who copris

    th group, this can b don through a varity of ways:

    Funsuch as an icebreaker activity

    Answered prayerssharing of testionies

    and updats Questionssuch as those provided in the

    atrial, larning ach othrs prsonal storis,

    and sharing feedback fro the weekly essage

    Eective Questions During the Connect Portion:

    Are deliberately friendly to rst-tiers

    Ask for opinion or experiences

    Require no Bible knowledge

    Have no right or wrong answer

    Are not controversial

    Are preferably connected to the eetings topic

    HoW to Build Strong FaitHcg 2004-2006, 2013 b ev na ps

    fs 2004. S 2013.

    pbs b eVery nAtion productionS

    p.o. B 12229 ogas c, pasg c, ps

    ma: [email protected].

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    eVery nAtion productionS.

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    cg 1973, 1978, 1984 iaa Bb S.

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    nw Wh: How do I apply the Word to my life?

    Our priary reason for sharing the Bible is so that people will know

    who God is and what He has done. In doing so, the participants will

    bgin to discovr who thy ar and what thy should do.

    If it is a prois, tach th to clai it. If it is a coand or a

    principl, ncourag th to put it to action by Gods grac. If it is a

    truth, lt th brac it willingly and not undr copulsion. Allow

    Gods grac and lov to win th by th way

    you tach Gods Word.

    Encourage specic, easurable action steps that are consistentwith th lif chang that th Scriptur is bringing about. W do not

    coand popl, but w spur th on toward lov and good dds.

    Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves.

    Do what it says.JAmeS 1:22

    Tips for Life-Changing Application

    You ay choose one of the So What and Now What questions

    or you ay add your own.

    An eective standby application question is: What one action

    step are you going to take as a result of what you heard today?

    Designate who will be the rst to answer the question asked.

    Do not allow soeone to argue or be critical of others.

    Reind everyone to apply the lesson to their own lives, not tosoon lss.

    Ask God for wisdo to know when to balance or correct strange

    or unbiblical applications. Insnsitiv corrction or criticis can

    kill the group, as can unchecked heresy.

    Reind everyone that transforation is Gods work, not ours, and

    our obedience is a response to who He is and His love for us. It is

    Gods grace that enables us to apply and obey His Word.

    Word (20-30 ms)

    Tach th truth and rlvanc of Gods Word for lif application. Th

    Victory group eeting is not priarily a Bible study. Although teaching

    and xplanation of Scriptur is involvd, th goal is to inistr, not

    nish a aterial.

    Thr is no nd tach all th points in a atrial.

    Within this section, we look at what the Bible says, its relevance to us

    today, and its application in our livs.

    Wh: What does the Bible say?

    Counicat and ipart biblical truth clarly and concisly

    16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking,

    correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God

    may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.2 TImOTHY 3:16,17

    Tips for Sharing the Word Eectively

    Let the Bible speak for itself.

    Use illustrations and tell stories to explain Bible verses.

    When entertaining clarications, be watchful not to allow the

    discussion to go o-tangent.

    The priary goal is to inister to the needs of the people, not to

    nish a Bible lesson. Be led by the Spirit when using the aterial.

    S Wh: What is the relevance of the Word to my life?

    Giv participants th opportunity to discuss how th Word ipacts

    th way thy liv.

    Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be

    transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test

    and approve what Gods will ishis good, pleasing and perfect will.

    ROmANS 12:2

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    lvg b fa .................................. 1

    eg tg tms .................... 5

    ovmg os ...................... 11

    fgg fa ...................................17

    dag W .............................21

    Wsag ps ..............27

    1

    ContentS

    2

    3

    4

    5

    6

    Pray(15-20 ms)

    Prayer is the ost iportant part of the Victory group eeting. make

    sur you hav plnty of ti lft so your prayr ti is not rushd. This

    is not a closing prayer, but a tie for everyone in the group to take

    specic requests to God. This is where the action is. The goal is to create

    a vnu whr popl will s God ov on thir bhalf.

    Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you

    ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.mATTHEW 18:19

    Tips for Powerful Prayer

    Listen to the Holy Spirit carefully during the Connect and Wordsctions for things that ay nd prayr.

    Spend your tie praying for one another, not sharing and

    discussing prayer requests.

    Keep your prayers siple, sincere, and short. most non-believers

    have never heard an ordinary Christian just talk to God and will

    b touchd by th sincrity and siplicity of th prayr.

    Pray, dont preach. Pray in siple and short sentences, not long

    seron prayers.

    Use conversational prayer, not coplicated or profound,

    intrcssory prayr.

    Expect God to answer your prayers.

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    connec

    t

    lvg b fa1

    Do you like following a schedule or are you

    a ore spontaneous person?

    Shar on thing your hoping will happn

    in th nxt twlv onths.

    Tll about a ti whn you (or soon

    ls) ad a prois you wr not abl

    to keep.

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    Fh bvs h g s w b f Hs pms.Being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he

    had promised . . . ROmANS 4:21

    By faith Abraham, even though he was past ageand

    Sarah herself was barrenwas enabled to become a

    father because he considered him faithful who had made

    the promise. HEBREWS 11:11

    Abraha was fully prsuadd that God has nough

    power to fulll His proise, and that He is willing tofulll it. What is the dierence in being fully persuaded

    and partially persuaded?

    Fh bvs h g s w.And without faith it is impossible to please God, because

    anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and

    that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. HEBREWS 11:6

    What is a

    reward? What is

    a rewarder? Who

    does God reward?

    What happens

    to our faith if we

    believe that God

    is able, but we

    are not sure He is

    faithful to all His

    promises?

    3

    2

    lvg b fa 3

    Fh cs h pbm, b css h pms.Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the

    promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and

    gave glory to God . . . ROmANS 4:20

    We live by faith, not by sight. 2 CORINTHIANS 5:7

    Abraha did not dny th fact that h was too old to

    fathr a child.

    Word

    19Without weakening in his faith, he faced

    the fact that his body was as good as dead

    since he was about a hundred years oldand

    that Sarahs womb was also dead. 20Yet he

    did not waver through unbelief regarding

    the promise of God, but was strengthened in

    his faith and gave glory to God, 21being fully

    persuaded that God had power to do what he

    had promised. ROmANS 4:1921

    Th ultiat goal of th Christian lif is to plas God.

    Pleasing God is accoplished by faith, not by works.

    In fact, without faith it is ipossible to please Hi.

    Abraha was a an of grat faith and w can larn fro

    his lif and journy of faith.

    How did

    Abraham face

    the fact without

    weakening

    his faith?

    1

    2 hw BSg fa

    WHat

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    connec

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    egtg tms

    2

    How do you deal with challenges in

    your life?

    Nae three people you talk to on a regular

    basis. Dscrib your rlationship with th.

    Recall a tie when soeone helped

    you gt through a tough situation.

    What happened?

    So WhAtAre you living by faith? How does Abrahas faith

    challenge you?

    What causes your faith to weaken? What causes your

    faith to grow stronger?

    What happns if w fac th facts, but forgt th

    proise? What happens if we focus on the proise

    but pretend the facts dont exist?

    Do you believe God is willing to fulll His proises?

    Do you believe He is able?

    Ask God for faith like Abrahas, to face the facts but

    focus on the proise. Lift up your concerns to Hi

    and trust that He is willing and able to fulll

    His proises.

    Pray for those you know who are in dicult seasons

    of thir livs, that thy would hav grat faith and

    would prsvr.

    Pray for His proises to be fullled in your life,

    faily, work, inistry, and nation. Dont give up!

    prAyer

    noW WhAtWhen faced with a dicult situation, are you able to

    face the proble but focus on the proise? Why or

    why not? What facts do you have to face that stand in

    the way of Gods proises in your life?

    What are you believing God for? You ay want to

    write these down, so you can keep praying and be in

    faith to s Gods proiss co to pass in your lif.

    Are you earnestly seeking God? Do you believe He

    is a rewarder? What could be hindering you fro

    believing that God will reward you for your faith?

    Is your faith growing stronger or weaker? What can

    you do so that your faith in God will grow strongr

    every day?

    4 hw BSg fa

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    its work so that you may be mature and complete, not

    lacking anything. JAmES 1:24

    Joy in the idst of a trial sees like an ipossible

    ordr. If w undrstand th nd rsult of a trial, thn w

    ight b abl to rspond with joy.

    rcv s s chc bs hm vs mp.3Not only so, but we also rejoice in our suerings,

    because we know that suering produces perseverance;4perseverance, character; and character, hope.ROmANS 5:3,4

    One goal of the Christian life is to becoe ore Christ-

    like in our character.

    17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for

    us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18So we x

    our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For

    what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

    2 CORINTHIANS 4:17,18

    What is

    character?

    How is it

    produced? How do

    trials help build

    our character?

    What happens

    to our faith if we

    believe that God

    is able, but we

    are not sure He is

    faithful to all

    His promises?

    3

    eg tg tms 7

    r gs W.If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished

    in my aiction.PSALm 119:92

    many suer spiritual shipwreck during tough ties, but

    Gods Word is a solid foundation for us no attr whatdiculties we will face.

    rsp wh j.2Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials

    of many kinds, 3because you know that the testing of your

    faith develops perseverance. 4Perseverance must nish

    Word

    I have told you these things, so that in me you

    may have peace. In this world you will have

    trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the

    world.JOHN 16:33

    A righteous man may have many troubles, but

    the LORD delivers him from them all. PSALm 34:19

    Jesus did not proise a trouble-free life for Hisfollowers. In fact, He proised that in this world we

    would always hav troubls, trials, and prscution. Th

    question ost people ask in tough ties is: Why e?

    Instead, we should be asking: How can I respond in a

    way that honors God? Lets look at what the Bible says

    w can do to ndur tough tis and glorify God in th

    idst of th.

    What kept David

    from perishing

    during his aiction?

    How has Gods

    Word kept you from

    spiritual shipwreck?

    1

    6 hw BSg fa

    2

    WHat

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    So WhAtHow does Gods Word help you endure tough ties?

    How do you respond in a tough tie? How can you

    respond with joy?

    Recall a dicult experience you went through that

    hlpd build your charactr. What did God tach you

    during this tie?

    How have you reached out to people in tough ties?

    How have others reached out to help you?

    make a decision to prioritize Gods Word in your life.

    Pray th Spirit of wisdo and rvlation to b upon

    you so that you ay know Hi better.

    Pray for the joy of the Lord to be upon you and those

    you know who are experiencing tough ties.

    Ask God to develop your character in a greater way

    and to ake you ore like Christ every day.

    Coit to rspond to trials (prsnt and futur) in a

    way that honors God.

    prAyer

    noW WhAtAre you reading Gods Word every day? If not, do you

    want to begin doing so this week? Set a tie and

    place for daily Bible reading. You ay want to start

    with Johns Gospl.

    Are you presently experiencing tough ties? Would

    you like to tell us about what is going on? How do you

    think God is asking you to respond?

    What aras of your charactr is God currntly

    developing? How can you becoe ore like Christ in

    these specic areas?

    Do you know of anyone who is going through a tough

    tie right now? What can you do to help and cofort

    the this week?

    eg tg tms 98 hw BSg fa

    While we are

    going through

    tough times, what

    should our eyes

    be xed on? How

    can we focus on

    the unseen?

    4

    Though tough tis s to last forvr whil w ar

    going through th, thy ar rally only ontary,

    or tporary.

    rch hs wh xpch ms.3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

    the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who

    comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort

    those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have

    received from God.2 CORINTHIANS 1:3,4

    Our God is the Father of copassion and the God of

    all cofort.

    How has He

    comforted you

    in tough times?

    How should werespond when

    we experience

    Gods comfort?

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    connec

    t

    ovmgos

    3

    Did you ever have bullies in school? Tell us

    about your xprinc.

    Do you have a hard tie apologizing or

    asking for forgiveness? Why or why not?

    What typ of prsonality do you hav a

    diculty getting along with? Why?

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    usv s ss shps.An oended brother is more unyielding than a fortied

    city. PROVERBS 18:19

    If left unresolved, oense has the potential to destroy

    the strongest relationships. What is a fortied city?

    How is an oended brother like a fortied city?

    We will all have opportunities to get oended.

    Soe oenses are inor iscounications and

    isundrstandings. Othrs ar ajor rlational

    ltdowns. Whthr ajor or inor, if not handld

    properly, all oenses have the potential to becoe

    ajor roadblocks to spiritual progress.

    Why do oended

    people become

    defensive and

    closed?

    Why do you think

    Jesus responded

    that way? Recall

    a time when you

    were corrected.

    How did you

    respond?

    3

    ovmg os 13

    issv ws c cs s.We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in

    what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole

    body in check.JAmES 3:2 (SEE ALSO JAmES 3:36.)

    The tongue has the power of life and death. PROVERBS 18:21

    Cc c cs s.12Then the disciples came to him and asked, Do you know

    that the Pharisees were oended when they heard this?13He replied, Every plant that my heavenly Father has not

    planted will be pulled up by the roots. 14Leave them; they

    are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both

    will fall into a pit. mATTHEW 15:1214

    The disciples seeed upset that Jesus oended the

    Pharisees. But Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their

    hypocritical adhrnc to xtrnal rligion.

    Word

    A mans wisdom gives him patience; it is to his

    glory to overlook an oense. PROVERBS 19:11

    Oense is an unfortunate and unavoidable part of life.

    We will all get oended fro tie to tie, and we all

    have oended others, usually unintentionally. In this

    lesson, we will look at the causes and eects of oense

    and how oense can be resolved.

    In what ways do

    you sometimes

    oend with your

    tongue? How

    can you use your

    tongue to speak life

    or death?

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    12 hw BSg fa

    2

    WHat

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    So WhAtHow do you think God wants you to respond

    to correction? How does this dier fro your

    natural response?

    How can unresolved oenses destroy relationships?

    How do you think God feels about these? How can you

    overlook an oense?

    Why should we not talk about our oenses to people

    who are not involved in the reconciliation process?

    Ask God to help you speak words that give life to

    others and please Hi. Pray that when challenges

    aris in your rlationships, you would not b asily

    oended, and that you will honor God in the way

    you rspond.

    Ask God to give you the grace to forgive those who

    have oended you, and that you would have the

    courage to ask for forgiveness fro those you

    have oended.

    Pray for those who have oended you. Forgive as

    the Lord Jesus forgave us. Pray that Gods love and

    kindness would be evident in and through your life.prAyer

    noW WhAtWr you corrctd in th past but did not rspond in

    a way that honors God? What can you do about this?

    How can you respond to future correction in a way

    that pleases God?

    Have you oended soeone? Have you asked God

    for forgiveness? Have you asked God if you need

    to ask the person for forgiveness? How is your

    relationship with this person now?

    Have you been oended by soeone? Have you

    forgiven? Has the relationship been restored?

    ovmg os 1514 hw BSg fa

    What does it

    mean to be

    reconciled to

    your brother?

    i hv sm, shk h v b cc.23Therefore, if you are oering your gift at the altar and

    there remember that your brother has something against

    you, 24leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go

    and be reconciled to your brother; then come and oer

    your gift.mATTHEW 5:23,24

    Taking the initiative to be reconciled is not easy. Though

    it ay b asir to prtnd th issu dos not xist,

    Jesus said that we should prioritize reconciliation. What

    should you do if you know soeone has soethingagainst you?

    i sm hs , h sh v .A mans wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to

    overlook an oense. PROVERBS 19:11

    He who covers over an oense promotes love, butwhoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

    PROVERBS 17:9

    It takes wisdo and patience to overlook an oense. It

    is dicult to cover an oense, proote love, and protect

    the relationship. What does it ean to overlook and

    cover an oense?

    Recall a time

    when you

    were oended.

    How did you

    respond?

    4

    5

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    connec

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    fgg fa4

    What types of ovies do you like? Which

    do you dislike? Why?

    How do you respond to conict?

    Tll us about on of your worst childhood

    eories. What happened?

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    Fh wh gs pmss.31To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, If you

    hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then

    you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

    JOHN 8:31,32

    The proises of Gods Word are our weapons to ght

    fear. Truth sets us free fro fear. The fear of lack can be

    dfatd with proiss of Gods provision. Th far of

    failure can be defeated with proises of success. How

    does Gods Word set us free fro fear?

    Fh wh gs v.There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear,

    because fear has to do with punishment. The one who

    fears is not made perfect in love.1 JOHN 4:18

    Freedo fro fear starts when we realize how uchGod loves us. If we walk in fear, it is because we have

    not been ade perfect in love. In other words, we have

    not yet realized how uch God loves us. His perfect

    lov drivs out all far.

    Has the revelation

    of Gods love

    for you ever

    delivered you

    from fear? Why?

    What are some of

    Gods promises

    that have set you

    free from fear?

    3

    2

    fgg fa 19

    Fh wh gs psc.Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous.

    Do not be terried; do not be discouraged, for the LORD

    your God will be with you wherever you go.

    JOSHUA 1:9

    God coandd Joshua not to b afraid and at th

    sae tie He proised that His presence would be

    with hi.

    Word

    For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a

    slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of

    sonship. And by him we cry, Abba, Father.

    ROmANS 8:15

    Fear is a natural eotion that can be healthy or

    destructive. Healthy fear keeps us fro sin and

    causs us to xrcis caution in dangrous situations.

    Destructive fears keep us in bondage and prevent us

    fro fully serving God. For exaple, Hebrews 2:15

    speaks of a people who all their lives were held in

    slavery by their fear of death. Unhealthy fear produces

    slavery. God desires for us to walk in freedo fro fear

    of dath and all othr dstructiv fars. In this lsson,

    we will focus on how to ght bondage-producing fears.

    How does Gods

    presence help us

    overcome fear?

    1

    18 hw BSg fa

    WHat

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    connec

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    dagW

    5

    Do you like shopping? Why or why not?

    If you could b soon ls for a day,

    who would you choose to be? What would

    you do in those twenty-four hours?

    Tll us about on of your dras in lif.

    So WhAtWhat ight you attept to do or be if you knew Gods

    presence was with you? How can Gods presence help

    you overcoe your fears?

    What are soe of your fears? What does the Bible say

    about these? Which of Gods proises can you hold

    on to and ght these fears with?

    How does fear cripple a person? How can the

    revelation of Gods love deliver you fro fear?

    Pray that you would be set free fro bondage-

    producing fars. Proclai Gods proiss ovr your

    life, faily, and future. Hold on to these and declare

    ths in faith.

    Ask God for His presence to be with you and ll you

    vry day of your lif.

    Pray that you would xprinc Gods lov or and

    hav a gratr apprciation for and undrstanding of

    His Word.

    Pray that you would hlp othrs b st fr fro

    bondage-producing fears.prAyer

    noW WhAtAre you free fro the fear of death? Are you sure you

    will go to heaven when you die? Are you ever afraid

    of hell?

    How can you ght your fears with Gods presence,

    proises, and love this week? You ay want to

    dclar Gods Word ovr your lif vry day, writ

    down your prayers and His proises in a journal, or

    ask soeone to pray with you and challenge you to

    ght these fears.

    Do you know what God has proised for you? What

    can you do this week to go deeper into His Word and

    discover His proises for your life, faily, and future?

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    Ps appc28And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies

    of the eld grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you

    that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed

    like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of

    the eld, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into

    the re, will he not much more clothe you, O you of littlefaith?mATTHEW 6:2830

    Jsus said not to worry about our body and our cloths.

    FTherefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow

    will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its

    own.mATTHEW 6:34

    Finally, Jesus said not to worry about toorrow.

    In what ways

    do people worry

    about their bodies?

    Why do people

    worry about

    their bodies?

    2

    dag W 23

    Do you worry

    about the future?

    Why should we

    not worry about

    tomorrow?

    3

    Ps ns25Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what

    you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will

    wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body

    more important than clothes?26Look at the birds of the

    air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and

    yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much

    more valuable than they?mATTHEW 6:25,26

    Jesus exhorted His followers not to worry about

    their personal needs, what they would eat or drink.

    Do you ever worry about your needs being et?

    Which personal needs cause you the ost worry?

    Referring to birds, Jesus asked whether we are

    ore valuable than they. How valuable are we?

    Word

    25Therefore I tell you, do not worry about

    your life, what you will eat or drink; or about

    your body, what you will wear. Is not life more

    important than food, and the body more

    important than clothes?26Look at the birds of

    the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in

    barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

    Are you not much more valuable than they?27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour

    to his life?mATTHEW 6:2527 (SEE ALSO mATTHEW 6:2834.)

    W all tnd to worry about things in our livs. In this

    passage, Jesus gives His followers specic instructions

    not to worry. In this lesson, we will look at the top

    causes of worry Jesus referred to in matthew 6, and how

    w can wip out and dfat worry.

    What determines our

    value? What does

    our value have to do

    with Gods provision

    and worry?

    1

    22 hw BSg fa

    WHat

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    So WhAtWhy do popl worry so uch about thir cloths and

    appearance? Why is it wrong to worry about these?

    Why do you think so any people today worry about

    toorrow? Why do you think its easier to worry than

    to pray and seek Hi rst?

    How do prayer and proper priorities defeat anxiety

    and worry?

    Lift up your worries and concerns to God. Ask Hi to

    help you defeat worry. Also ask Hi to help you order

    your priorities. Coit to seek His kingdo rst.

    Pray for your needs to be et. Ask God to help

    you focus on Hi, rather than personal needs,

    appearances, and questions about the future.

    Pray for those you know who worry a lot. Ask God for

    opportunitis to ncourag th.prAyer

    noW WhAt

    What do you tend to worry about? What does GodsWord say about these things? When youre tepted

    to worry, what will you do to overcoe this?

    Are you growing in your relationship with God? Do

    you trust Hi when He tells you not to worry? How

    can you know Hi ore every day?

    Do you know soeone who worries a lot? What can

    you do to help the defeat worry?

    dag W 2524 hw BSg fa

    Recall a time

    when you were

    anxious about

    something. What

    did you do?

    Though thr ar any things that can distract us and

    ake us worry, Jesus tells us that we are so valuable

    to Hi and we need not worry because we can trust

    Hi always.

    Prayer defeats worry.6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,

    by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your

    requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which tran-

    scends all understanding, will guard your hearts and

    your minds in Christ Jesus. PHILIPPIANS 4:6,7

    When we are anxious, the Bible tells us to pray. What

    does it ean to be anxious about soething?

    Proper priorities defeat worry.33But seek rst his kingdom and his righteousness, and

    all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore

    do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry

    about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

    mATTHEW 6:33,34

    When we seek God rst, we can defeat worry.

    What are some

    practical ways

    we can seek

    Gods kingdom?

    How do you

    order your

    priorities?

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    connec

    t

    Wsagps

    6

    How do you respond to conict? Do you try

    to avoid it? How do you deal with it? Why?

    Whats on of th biggst challngs

    youve ever had to face? What happened?

    Nae one person you adire for their

    prsvranc and courag. What did

    they do?

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    Prscution cos bcaus of th Word.

    Psc s m g hsb s.

    . . . persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not

    destroyed.2 CORINTHIANS 4:9

    35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall

    trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness

    or danger or sword? . . . 37No, in all these things we are

    more than conquerors through him who loved us.

    ROmANS 8:35,37

    Though persecution is painful and dicult, Gods love

    and prsnc is still with us.

    ev pp wh hcv psc.37They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were

    put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins

    and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated38the world was not worthy of them . . . 39These were all

    commended for their faith . . .HEBREWS 11:3739

    How can we

    know God has not

    abandoned us?

    Why does the

    Word attract

    persecution?

    2

    Wsag ps 29

    3

    W w b psc bcsw w Chs.Remember the words I spoke to you: No servant is

    greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will

    persecute you also.JOHN 15:20

    Persecution is part of the package of following Christ.

    But since they have no root, they last only a short time.

    When trouble or persecution comes because of the word,

    they quickly fall away.mARK 4:17

    Word

    Love your enemies and pray for those who

    persecute you.mATTHEW 5:44

    Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not

    curse. ROmANS 12:14

    Are we really expected to love our eneies? This

    coand ay s ipossibl, but if w undrstand

    what the Bible says about persecution, we will not onlyb abl to withstand prscution, w ay vn b

    abl to oby Jsus coand to blss and pray

    for our persecutors. Just what does the Bible say

    about persecution?

    Who persecuted

    Jesus? Why did they

    persecute Him?

    1

    28 hw BSg fa

    WHat

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    So WhAtHave you ever been persecuted for your faith

    in Christ? Have you ever persecuted anyone?

    What happened?

    Do you know soeone who has been persecuted?

    How did they respond? How does persecution

    strengthen your faith?

    Why do you think soe quickly fall away when they

    are persecuted (mark 4:17)? How can you ake sure

    you will not fall away when you are persecuted?

    Pray for boldnss to proclai your faith whrvr you

    go and whovr your with.

    Ask God to strengthen you in your faith and to know

    that He is always with you.

    Pray for those who persecute you. Ask God to reveal

    Hiself to the so they ay encounter Hi, and to

    giv you th grac to blss th.

    prAyer

    noW WhAtHow do you respond to persecution? How can you

    respond in a way that honors God? Have you forgiven

    those who have persecuted you?

    Do you ever feel God has abandoned you? Why? How

    can you know Gods presence is with you?

    Wsag ps 3130 hw BSg fa

    Why is it

    important to

    keep our faith in

    God in the midst

    of persecution?

    Grat faith nabls us to ndur, not avoid prscution.

    Psc w b w hv.10Blessed are those who are persecuted because of

    righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.11Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you

    and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of

    me. 12Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in

    heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets

    who were before you.mATTHEW 5:1012

    4

    How can we

    be expected to

    rejoice when we

    are persecuted?

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