The Promises of God


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The Promises of God, Lesson 6, Page 1

The Promises of God Session 6: “You Will Struggle” Participant Guide

Greeting Discussion Questions:   

Which list was easier for you to complete? Why? How much of that difficulty is based on reality, and how much is based on our perception of ourselves? Do you see God at the source of any of these struggles? Why or why not?

The Promise “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Discussion Questions:   

In your own words, what is God promising in this verse? And just as important, what are some things this verse isn’t promising? In other words, how have you noticed this promise being misused? What does Jesus mean by “peace” and “overcome the world?”

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New Story: Dana and Jill Discussion Questions: ● What were some of the positive and negative ways their suffering impacted Dana and Jill’s faith? ● Think of a time when you suffered loss. Was your initial response to draw closer to, or further away from God? Why? ● What lessons can you take away from Jill and Dana’s story that will help you when face suffering in the future?

God’s Story God’s Word 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 (ESV) I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— 6 though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,[a] a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am

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content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Here are some of the initial insights and questions I had when I read the text:

Behind the Scenes

In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul was dealing with a Christian congregation that had fallen far from the behavior that was expected of them. There were a number of false teachers misleading the people of Corinth, and Paul had attempted to admonish these new Christians while also providing them support and hope. In this second letter, we find the same ardent affection from Paul toward the disciples at Corinth as in the first letter, the same zeal for the honor of the gospel, and the same boldness in giving Christian reproof. The second letter to the Corinthians probably was written about a year after the first. Its contents are closely connected with the contents of the first letter. Paul noted the manner in which his first letter had been received by the Corinthians, and he said it filled his heart with gratitude to God, who had enabled him to fully discharge his duty toward the Corinthians. Many of them had shown marks of repentance and had amended their conduct. However, others still followed their false teachers; and as the apostle delayed his visit – from his unwillingness to treat them with severity – the false teachers charged him with severity, levity and change of conduct, as well as pride and vain-glory. They spoke of Paul with Contempt. It is not really known specifically what Paul was referring to as his “thorn in the flesh.” Some of the more popular theories include temptation, a chronic eye problem, malaria, migraine headaches, epilepsy, or a speech disability. One theory even suggests that the thorn refers to a person, such as Alexander the coppersmith, who did Paul “a great deal of harm” (2 Timothy 4:14).

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Discussion Questions:    

What struggles is Paul dealing with here in addition to the “thorn?” Why would Paul think that he could be more effective as a minister if the thorn were removed? Why would God let Paul continue to suffer? What does God mean by “My power is made perfect in weakness?”

Here are some of the initial insight regarding the text that my friends had:

Discussion Questions:   

Is the fact that we will continue to struggle a “promise of God” or a fact of life? Does it make any difference? Why do you think Jesus thought it was important to tell his followers that their lives would be filled with trouble? What does this tell you about what the “normal Christian life” will be like?

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Growing Are there struggles in your own life that are keeping you from God?

Are any of those struggles covered by any of the promises of God that have already been discussed in this series of lessons?

How might God be using a particular struggle to actually draw you nearer to him?