10/23 SERMON: THE CHALLENGE OF PERSEVERANCE!

Friends,

Below you will find the scriptures that I preached on in yesterday's message about perseverance as well as some thought questions to help your group dig deeper into the topic should you decide to use the sermon as the basis for this week's discussion. Have a great week, and like I mentioned in the email, for the next 3 weeks I would suggest spending the first hour of your group time digging into the scripture and using the last 20 minutes to share prayer requests. This will make give your group the space needed to dig into God's Word a little longer.

-Kev

THE CHALLENGE OF PERSEVERANCE:

• In Hebrews 12, the author is talking to a group of Christians who are facing a choice, will they continue to run the race toward God and face persecution, or will they sell out on their faith and live mediocre lives where they are Christians in name only.  

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:3 – NIV)

• What types of things "hinder" you from completing the face of faith?
• What types of sins seem to "easily entangle" you?
• Based on your reading this far, what would you say is the vision of New Testament Christian living that has been laid out for you?

¹³ I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Philippians 4:13 – NIV) 

• Do you believe that this can be true in your life? What is the key to experiencing this type of power?

4 Opportunities To Persevere

1. God wants us to persevere in our prayers

  ⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

   ⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:7-11 – NIV)

• Jesus says "keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking." What does it look like to persevere in our prayers?
• Have you ever experienced God answering your prayers?
• If God wants to give us good gifts, why does it seem like sometimes our prayers go unanswered?
• What is God what to teach you about persevering in prayer?

2. God wants us to persevere in our spiritual growth

• In the sermon, Kevin said that spiritual growth does not happen without resistance because we're walking on an uphill journey against the values, beliefs, and systems of this world which are often times in complete opposition to the teachings of Jesus. 
• Are you facing resistance as you follow after Christ?
• What are some of the ways that you face resistance to your spiritual growth?

• Kevin also mentioned that the way that we respond when we face resistance is the key to experiencing God in the situation. How do you respond when you are feeling the resistance that comes with following after God? 
• Do you follow Him begrudgingly, happily, with some hesitation, etc?

In 1 Timothy 4, Paul encourages us to ^"7 Train yourself to be godly." (1 Timothy 4:7 - NIV) 

• The idea of training yourself is that you would push yourself to the limit. What kinds of things can you do to train yourself to be godly?

3. God wants us to persevere in times of failure and loss

^"3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope." (Romans 5:3-4 – NIV)

• What does it look like to "glory in our sufferings"? 
• What do you notice about the chain of events that happen if we draw close to God in our times of suffering.

In Romans 8:28 Paul promises that "God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28 – NIV)

•  This promise if for people who are following after God. How have you seen it come to fruition in your life?
• Do you believe that God really does (not only can, but does) work all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose?

4. God wants us to persevere in influencing others for Christ

2 Peter 3 says that "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9 – NIV)

• Jesus is waiting to return so that people have the opportunity to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ and come into a relationship with Him.
• How does this reality influence your views on evangelism

• Do you believe that God really calls every follower of Jesus to be a witness of God's love to others?

• How are you currently influencing others for Christ?

• Make a list of people who you think God would want you to influence for Him.

 
Putting It Into Practice:

• Which of these 4 areas of perseverance is God asking you to trust Him in?
• What is one thing that you can do this week in 2 of these areas to put the things that you're learning into practice?