Christianity 101: Trials

Text: James 1:1-12

1.  How can you say that God has a purpose for trials?  What good could possibly come out of going through a hardship?  Trials are credits to our accounts because they...

a. test our faith (Exodus 16:4)

b. keep us humble (2 Corinthians 12:7)

c. take our satisfaction off of superficial stuff and onto Jesus (Hebrews 11:24-26)

d. give us a desire for God (Philippians 1:21-24, 2 Corinthians 4:14, 16-18)

e. show what we really love (Genesis 22:1, Luke 14:26)

f. prepare us to help others through their trials (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)

g. produce strength for greater service to others (2 Corinthians 12:10)

h. make us rely on God (2 Corinthians 1:8-10)

i. strengthen our prayer life (2 Corinthians 1:11)

j. make us like Jesus (James 2:4)

2.  How have you used a trial that you've been through to accomplish something on the list above? (Common ones would be letter i, h, and a).  How have you been the benefactor of someone else's trials? (letter f)

3.  Suffering breeds desperation.  So why is desperation with God a good thing?

4.  Why is it important that we "persevere with joy" during trials?

a.  Trials are certain.  You are going to have them!  You can't control trials, but you can control your response.

b.  Because Scripture commands us to have joy in trials.

c.  Joy comes from God, not from your circumstances.  So if you have/know God, then that produces joy in our lives despite what is happening around us.

d.  You have the family of God to help you find joy in God (that's why being a part of a local church and being in an rGroup is so important!)

e.  Joy is a great witness to the world.  There is nothing more powerful and awe inspiring that a person that is suffering and going through trials, yet still remains faithful to God.  Your attitude and response to trials is one of the most powerful witnesses you'll ever have the opportunity to show.  Don't waste it!