Series Introduction
In Times Like These is a series about the basic training we need to prepare and deal with turbulent times. There are plenty of opinions and places to turn when we need answers, but there is only one place to go for what’s best: God. Spending time in the presence of God, interacting with the people God has placed in our lives, and looking toward a hope-filled future are the three key elements to surviving life’s toughest times.
Big Idea
God's presence is the best place to turn for answers.
Icebreaker
What is the worst/funniest thing that has happened to you while camping or while in the wilderness?
Introduction
Did you know there is a survival kit for everything? For example: Winter survival kit, Wedding survival kit, Car Emergency survival kit, Business Emergency survival kit, Camping survival kit, Natural Disaster survival kit, etc.
When it comes to everyday life, where do we turn for answers? Is there a survival kit for life? Survival kits are generally created by experts in the area, someone who has been in a situation where it would have been nice to have a kit for survival–the people “who wrote the book on the subject.” Unfortunately when it comes to everyday life, we spend a lot of time searching the internet, asking everybody around us, looking to the news, and browsing self-help books; but we rarely consult the one who wrote the book on the subject, God. Our survival kit is found in the Bible. In times like these, good or bad, we need to turn to the lessons in the Bible for survival.
Read 1 Kings 19:1-4 (The Message)
Ahab reported to Jezebel everything that Elijah had done, including the massacre of the prophets. Jezebel immediately sent a messenger to Elijah with her threat: "The gods will get you for this and I'll get even with you! By this time tomorrow you'll be as dead as any one of those prophets."
When Elijah saw how things were, he ran for dear life to Beersheba, far in the south of Judah. He left his young servant there and then went on into the desert another day's journey. He came to a lone broom bush and collapsed in its shade, wanting in the worst way to be done with it all—to just die: "Enough of this, GOD! Take my life—I'm ready to join my ancestors in the grave!"
Elijah was known as the greatest of all prophets. He had just experienced the 2 greatest spiritual victories of his lifetime, the defeat of the prophets of Baal and the answered prayer for rain. But yet he feels alone, afraid, discouraged and depressed. Why? Well we read in the passage above in verse 2 that Elijah finds that his life is being threatened.
1. When you face tough times, how do you tend to react? Why do you think that is?
a. Run and hide
b. Puff up your chest and confront them
c. Back down and take it
d. Communicate in a healthy way
e. Curl up in a ball and cry
f. Other: ________________
2. Have there been times in your life where you have said, “I have had enough.” to God? Describe that time in your life and how you dealt with it.
Most of us have been through times like these when we feel alone, scared and depressed like Elijah. During these turbulent times, we want to throw our hands up in the air and shout, “Alright, I give up. I can’t take anymore.” Most often it’s because we aren’t equipped or trained with the tools we need to lead us through. By looking to the Bible we can create a solid foundation that holds true when tough times come. Its been said that we will all fall in our lives but you know how close you are to God by how quickly you get back up!
Read 1 Kings 19:11-15 (The Message)
Then he was told, "Go, stand on the mountain at attention before GOD. GOD will pass by." A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before GOD, but GOD wasn't to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but GOD wasn't in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but GOD wasn't in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.
When Elijah heard the quiet voice, he muffled his face with his great cloak, went to the mouth of the cave, and stood there. A quiet voice asked, "So Elijah, now tell me, what are you doing here?" Elijah said it again, "I've been working my heart out for GOD, the GOD-of-the-Angel-Armies, because the people of Israel have abandoned your covenant, destroyed your places of worship, and murdered your prophets. I'm the only one left, and now they're trying to kill me."
GOD said, "Go back the way you came through the desert to Damascus. When you get there anoint Hazael; make him king over Aram. Then anoint Jehu son of Nimshi; make him king over Israel. Finally, anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet.
3. Share your observations from this passage about how God spoke to Elijah. What did God’s response communicate to Elijah?
Elijah didn’t experience God through His power, the earthquake, wind or fire but he experienced God’s PRESENCE through a gentle whisper. God heard and understood Elijah’s concerns but His response was firm and to the point. In the moment, Elijah probably would have rather had God say “It’s okay. You’re right those people are mean and have treated you poorly. Let me take care of it.” But instead God heard him, and gave him some answers on what to do but left it up to Elijah to respond. Realize that God’s answer put Elijah face to face with his fears.
4. When was the last time you experienced God’s presence in your life? Describe that time and how it felt?
5. How would your life change if you heard from God every day? How do you think it would change the face of the church if more people were making decisions based on God’s presence?
6. Read the following quotes about God’s presence and pick your favorite and share why.
“Just remaining quietly in the presence of God, listening to Him, being attentive to Him, requires a lot of courage and know-how.” - Thomas Merton
“Security is not the absence of danger, but the presence of God, no matter what the danger.” - Author Unknown
“Peace is not the absence of affliction, but the presence of God.” - Author Unknown
7. What steps could you take to focus more on God and less on the troubles in your life?
When we focus more on finding God and less on our trials during the tough times, we grow closer to Him. When we focus more on God in our good times, we give credit where credit is due and protect ourselves from a number of pitfalls. We can experience a peace beyond anything we can imagine and our lives can become more about praising Him and having a relationship with Christ if we read the survival kit before entering the “woods” and refer to it often along the way.
What’s Next
Over the next week set aside time each day to be in God’s presence. Each time read a selection from the Bible, reflect/journal about the selection, and pray. Use the personal journal page to help guide this time.
Personal Journal and Reflection
Romans 8:28, Philippians 4:6, Jeremiah 29:11, Ephesians 6:10-18, 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10
What does God’s presence in your life look like now? How would you like it to look? What things will you do to move closer to God?
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Who can you pray for in your family? _____________________________
Who can you pray for at work or school? ______________________________
Who can you pray for in your neighborhood? _____________________________
“What’s Next?” Follow Up
Take a moment to revisit last week’s “What’s Next?” to see and hear how people have grown or have been challenged.
Big Idea
God challenges us to reach out to the people around us for support and strength.
Icebreaker
If you could call on any superhero in a time of need, who would you call? Why?
Introduction
One of the number one mistakes we make in life is to go it alone. We’re an individualistic society, we don’t like people to know how badly we are struggling or share in our blessings with others. We were created to reach out to God’s people to share in good times and bad. God has put people in our lives with a purpose, and we need to be developing these relationships on a regular basis so that we are prepared to support each other when tough times do come and celebrate our blessings when good times come.
Read Exodus 17:8-13 (The Message)
Amalek came and fought Israel at Rephidim. Moses ordered Joshua: "Select some men for us and go out and fight Amalek. Tomorrow I will take my stand on top of the hill holding God's staff."
Joshua did what Moses ordered in order to fight Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went to the top of the hill. It turned out that whenever Moses raised his hands, Israel was winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, Amalek was winning. But Moses' hands got tired. So they got a stone and set it under him. He sat on it and Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on each side. So his hands remained steady until the sun went down. Joshua defeated Amalek and its army in battle.
Notice that Moses took Aaron and Hur with him to the top of the hill. This was an important calling from God and Moses wanted the support of his friends right by his side.
1. Is it easy or difficult for you to reach out and ask for help during tough times? What makes it easy or difficult to do so in your life?
2. What benefits have you experienced or seen as a result of reaching out during tough times?
Although Aaron and Hur could not change Moses’ circumstance, they found a way to support, encourage and love Moses through it! They couldn’t take on the problem by holding up the staff for him so they decided to support Moses by standing by his side and doing whatever he needed.
3. How do you think Moses felt as he sat there tired and struggling to hold up the staff when his friends came by his side and held up his arms?
4. Share a time when you wanted to fix or change a problem for someone close to you. What did you decide to do and how did that affect the issue or the relationship?
Read Galatians 6:2 (NIV)
Carry each other’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Read Galatians 6:2 (The Message)
Stoop down and REACH OUT to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law.
We can see in this verse that Jesus did not want us to do life all alone. We see throughout scripture how Jesus spent time with a small group of people He called His disciples. Jesus told his disciples during that time to love each other the way that He had loved them. Jesus provided us with clear examples of authentic relationships through His relationship with His disciples. He wanted us to grow close to others so that we could grow closer to Him.
5. When was the last time you experienced carrying someone’s burdens or allowed someone to carry your burdens? How did it feel?
We will all face tough times. If we build a foundation on God and others we will stand firm during those times. We can refresh each other by supporting one another through prayer and encouragement. We will find strength in knowing God is on our side. By reaching out to others we become stronger and better able to serve and experience God.
6. Are you or someone you know going through a tough time right now? Who knows about it? How can the people around you support you in your tough time or how can you help someone you know?
What’s Next
Write down the name of a friend or family member that you should connect with this week. Call this person and intentionally seek to make the topic of your conversation about what’s going on in their life. Ask them how you can support and encourage them through prayer.
Personal Journal and Reflection
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, John 15:12-15, Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 27:17, 1 John 3:16
What people have helped you through tough times? Who would turn to you in a time of need? What can you do to build stronger relationships in order to prepare for tough times?
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Who can you pray for in your family? _____________________________
Who can you pray for at work or school? ______________________________
Who can you pray for in your neighborhood? _____________________________
“What’s Next?” Follow Up
Take a moment to revisit last week’s “What’s Next?” to see and hear how people have grown or have been challenged.
Big Idea
God's promises give us hope for the future.
Icebreaker
If you could choose one thing to take with you for eternity, what would it be and why?
Introduction
Webster’s definition of “hope” is to cherish a desire with anticipation, to expect with confidence. Synonyms for “hope” are “anticipate” and “await.” Every day life often takes the focus off the hope we have in Christ and replaces it with fear and doubt as we look at each individual circumstance. God has a much bigger picture in mind and sees how the individual circumstances will shape us and mold us, as well as create a desire and expectation of a brighter future.
Read 2 Corinthians 11:23-27
I've worked much harder, been jailed more often, beaten up more times than I can count, and at death's door time after time. I've been flogged five times with the Jews' thirty-nine lashes, beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled with rocks once. I've been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a night and a day. In hard traveling year in and year out, I've had to ford rivers, fend off robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I've been at risk in the city, at risk in the country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. I've known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep, many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather.
1. Describe what it must feel like to be Paul. Would you have hope in these situations? Why or why not?
Very few people can name off a list of trials and tribulations quite like Paul. Being beaten, hunted, threatened, and on the verge of death would cause most of us to question our purpose and our God. Yet Paul had an eternal focus and a purpose filled life.
Read 2 Corinthians 4:15-18
Every detail works to your advantage and to God's glory: more and more grace, more and more people, more and more praise!
So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.
In this letter that Paul was writing to the Romans, he expresses his deep desire and concern for their spiritual progress. He had such a passion to convey this through his writing and the way he lived that he often sacrificed many of the things we take for granted (peace, comfort, safety, etc), which makes his message even more real and credible.
2. Have you ever viewed your tough times as having the possibility of bringing glory to God? Why or why not?
3. Paul was able to balance the momentary troubles he was living with the value and hope of spending eternity with Christ, how do you think he was able to do that in the midst of so many trials and struggles? Have you been able to do that in your own life?
4. What things give you hope?
Read 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (The Message)
We, of course, have plenty of wisdom to pass on to you once you get your feet on firm spiritual ground, but it's not popular wisdom, the fashionable wisdom of high-priced experts that will be out-of-date in a year or so. God's wisdom is something mysterious that goes deep into the interior of his purposes. You don't find it lying around on the surface. It's not the latest message, but more like the oldest—what God determined as the way to bring out his best in us, long before we ever arrived on the scene. The experts of our day haven't a clue about what this eternal plan is. If they had, they wouldn't have killed the Master of the God-designed life on a cross.
The Life Application Bible comments on this passage perfectly. It says,”We cannot imagine all that God has in store for us, both in this life and for eternity. He will create a new heaven and a new earth (Isaiah 65:17, Revelation 21:1) and we will live with him forever. Until then, his Holy Spirit comforts and guides us. Knowing the wonderful and eternal future that awaits us gives us hope and courage to press on in this life, to endure hardship and to avoid giving into temptation. This world is not all there is. The best is yet to come.”
5. What are your reactions to eternity?
The lyrics from the song “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me are one of the best ways to capture the idea of eternity and some of the feelings associated with it.
I can only imagine
What it will be like
When I walk
By your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When your face
Is before me
I can only imagine
Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel
Will I dance for you Jesus or in awe of you be still
Will I stand in your presence or to my knees will I fall
Will I sing hallelujah, will I be able to speak at all
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
When that day comes
And I find myself
Standing in the Son
I can only imagine
When all I will do
Is forever
Forever worship You
6. In your wildest dreams and imagination describe what you think it will be like when you finally spend an eternity with God.
What’s Next
Commit this week to replace watching tv, reading the newspaper, and checking news on the internet with reading the Bible, praying, or listening to a positive message or music. See if your outlook shifts toward a more hopeful perspective.
Personal Journal and Reflection
Psalm 39:7, Psalm 71:5, Jeremiah 17:7, Romans 5:1-5, Romans 12:12
What things bring you hope? What questions do you have about eternity with God? What can you learn from the trials you are facing right now?
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Who can you pray for in your family? _____________________________
Who can you pray for at work or school? ______________________________
Who can you pray for in your neighborhood? _____________________________
