BIBLE STUDY – SUNDAY, MARCH 8, 2015
THEME FOR THE YEAR: “A CHURCH AWAITING THE LORD’S RETURN” (REVELATION 22: 12; MATTHEW 25: 13)
THEME FOR BIBLE STUDY: “THE PROMISE AND ASSURANCE OF THE LORD’S RETURN”
TOPIC: PATIENT IN TRIBULATION
TEXT: DANIEL 3: 8 – 18; ROMANS 8: 18 – 39; MATTHEW 5: 10 – 16
AIM:
To teach us that:
- Christians are called out of the world, a nation of witnesses, to serve the Living and True God (Acts 14: 15; 1 Thessalonians 1: 9);
- God has His own purposes in all the events that happen in a Christian’s life’s journey (Romans 8: 28);
- Faith in God overcomes any hurdle (1 John 5: 4; Hebrews
11: 6); and
- Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning (Psalm 30: 5).
INTRODUCTION
‘Tribulation’ is defined as pain, distress, affliction, hurt, torment, suffering, etc resulting from oppression or persecution. And persecution entails harassment or punishment in a manner designed to injure, grieve or afflict someone, specifically because of his/her belief. Persecution also means to treat somebody in a cruel way especially because of his/her race, political or religious beliefs. God’s word clearly declares, “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution” – 2 Timothy 3: 12.
The Christian should be like a traveller going home, who is prepared to endure many hardships on his journey because he/she knows his/her journey will only last for a limited period of time; and he/she is thinking of the joyful welcome awaiting him/her at his/her arrival at home. The journey begins with “There is no condemnation’ (Romans 8: 1), and finishes with “Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God” (Romans 8: 39). But the road between the ‘beginning’ and the ‘finishing’ passes through the territory of tribulation/suffering/persecution and there is no short-cut to it. Becoming a Christian involves saying “No” to one’s old life and refusing to conform to the standards of the world. This can often be life threatening and a painful experience (Daniel 3: 8 – 18).
There is no crown without a cross. Suffering is part and parcel of the Christian life. ‘Become a Christian and everything will be smooth-sailing’ is not a complete gospel. Christ suffered. His early followers did and so have faithful men and women throughout the history of Christianity. We must share in the suffering of Christ (Romans 8: 17) as we look forward to the “glory that will be revealed in us.” Suffering sustains our hope and longing for our real home (Romans 8: 23 – 25).
It is not only hope that sustains us, God’s Spirit in us sustains us in prayers that come from full knowledge of us, our situation and the mind of God for us. Instead of us groaning, the Spirit groans on our behalf (Romans 8: 26 – 27). What an assurance! Whatever state we may be in therefore, we are not alone. We should never forget that God is with us and is working out His plan and purpose in our lives. It may appear unbearable now but the end thereof is glory. God who has chosen us will never leave us alone, hence the need for us to be patient even in tribulation (Romans 5: 3 – 5; 12: 12).
As we study, may we open our hearts for divine illumination on this blessed attitude of the Kingdom of God.
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
- By what means can a Christian be persecuted? (Matt. 5: 11; Acts 6: 8 – 13; John 15: 18; Luke 4: 28 –29; 2 Sam. 16: 5–12; Acts 5: 27–28, 40 – 41; Dan. 3: 14 –21; Acts 9: 1– 2).
- a. Is tribulation/persecution/suffering compulsory for every disciple of Christ? Discuss. (Luke 6: 26; John 15: 1 8– 20; 2 Tim. 3: 12; Phil. 1: 29 – 30; 1 Peter 2: 21 – 23; Mark 10: 28 – 30).
b. What is the reason behind our persecution as Christians – why does the world persecute us? (John 15: 18 – 25; 16: 1- 4).
3a People like Jesus Christ, Shedrack, Meshach and Abednego experienced tribulation. Who persecuted them and for what reasons were they persecuted? (Luke 4; 18 – 30; Daniel 3: 14 – 21)
b. What should our attitude be in times of tribulation/persecution/suffering? (Matt. 5: 12; Acts 5: 40 – 41; James 1: 2 – 5; 1 Peter 5: 6 – 10; 1 Cor. 10: 13; Romans 8: 18 – 28; 2 Cor. 4: 16 – 5: 1; Psalm 34: 19; Matt. 10: 23).
4. What blessings are there in enduring persecution for righteousness sake? (Matt. 5: 10 – 12; Acts 9: 4 – 5; James 1: 3; 1 Peter 4: 12 – 14; Rom. 8: 17 – 19; 1 Peter 1: 7; James 1: 12; Malachi 3: 3 – 4).
5. How do we qualify for this blessedness of persecution? (John 15: 18 – 19; James 4: 4; Luke 6: 26; Matt. 5: 10 – 11; 2 Tim. 3: 12; James 1: 27).
FOR REFLECTION
Would you love to be marked out by God for noble use? Do you desire to be a vessel unto honour, a vessel of gold, fit for the Master’s use? Proverbs 17: 3 says “The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace is for gold; but the Lord tries the hearts.”
Do not live in compromise or in hypocrisy any longer; stand up for Jesus. When persecution/tribulation comes, face it in the fullness of the Spirit of God. Face it with joy, in patience, with love and by faith. Be humble, keep sober and prayerful, counting solely on God’s wisdom for every step you take. Then, He will surely bring you through it all victoriously.
MEMORY VERSE – 2 CORINTHIANS 4: 17
“For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever.”
PRAYER
O God, help me while in tribulation, that I may come forth pure as gold for the Lord in Jesus name. Amen.