This session has not been translated into your language yet, so it is shown in English.

God's Word for Times of Trouble

1. CONNECT

   10min
   Christians who live in peace and safety often compromise their faith, but can you imagine how tempting it would be to compromise what you believe to protect yourself, your spouse, your children and closest friends from serious harm? Followers of Christ have suffered persecution and hardship throughout history. Stolen property, beatings, imprisonment and martyrdom have been the fate of countless Christians. And by some reports, Christ's followers are being persecuted more than ever in our own day. Yet, in all of these circumstances the Word of God has become precious to the people of God. The Holy Spirit inspired the author of Hebrews to write to his fellow Christians who were facing serious troubles. They had suffered in the past and were now threatened with even more suffering. They'd done well years ago, but the author of Hebrews cared so much about his fellow believers that he wrote to encourage them to remain faithful to Christ in the new trials they faced.

2. Reflection

   The author of Hebrews brought the Word of God to his readers because he believed that "the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12 ESV).

3. Guiding Question

   What would you do if the people you loved were going through trials and were tempted to turn from Christ?

4. WATCH

   15min

5. DISCUSS

   15min
   Our lesson describes the author of Hebrews as a "passionate intellectual." But often Christians find it difficult to be both passionate about our faith and deeply committed to learning the Scriptures and Christian theology. Why do you think it's important to embrace both of these qualities?

6. APPLY

   15min
   1. The author refers to the Old Testament at least 31 times and extensively discusses Old Testament teachings about Melchizedek and the Tabernacle. What does this say about the value of learning as much as we can from the whole Bible in troubled times? 2. The author shows his personal passion for God's suffering people by saying, "sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated" (Hebrews 10:33). How should we imitate this same care for our fellow believers in times of trouble? 3. As we face troubles, Hebrews 12:1-2 reminds us to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." What are some ways that we can "fix our eyes on Jesus" and his sufferings in our times of trouble? Name some important lessons of faith that can be learned from Jesus' life, death and resurrection.

7. CHALLENGE

   Recommended reading: Hebrews 12 Take some time this week to write down ways you can be encouraged by the author's commitment to learning from God's Word, his passion for the suffering of God's people and his passion for following Christ in his sufferings. Finish with a time of prayer.