Sermon Based Small Group Lessons
Just Give Me Jesus: When People Burn Me
Dr. Les Hughes
2008 August 24
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Beginning
Wednesday, October 8, 6:30 PM
House of Prayer
Westwood
Baptist Church
Opening Question
(New groups: Share your name and the answer to the
following question.)
Share
a time that you felt burned or abandoned.
Focus Passage
Do
your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he
loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because
he is helpful to me in my ministry. I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. When you come,
bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and
my scrolls, especially the parchments.
Alexander the metalworker did me a great deal of harm. The Lord
will repay him for what he has done. You too should be on
your guard against him, because he strongly opposed our message.
At my
first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not
be held against them. But the
Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message
might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was
delivered from the lion's mouth. The Lord will rescue me
from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him
be glory for ever and ever.
Amen.
Digging for Truth
1. During times of despair, the disciple of
Christ has enormous resources to offer strength. The first is promise for a better
future. Have you ever had days that
you longed for heaven? What causes
us to do that?
2. The second source of strength we have is
people God put in place to help us.
Paul mentioned a long list of people who were with him and had helped
him. We feel a special love for
people who stick with us through times of trouble. Who has stuck with you and helped you
through times of trouble?
How
can we be a better friend to others in their time of trouble and need?
3. Another source of strength is to
remember our purpose. It is
possible to withstand difficult times when we know something positive will come
of it. Can you think of a time you’ve
endured difficult times in order for a positive outcome later? (Like raising
children!)
4. The fourth resource we have available to
us is the peace of Christ in our hearts.
Do
not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And
the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7
5. The fifth resource we have is the
presence of Christ. A song say, “When you find that Christ is all you
have, you’ll find that He’s enough!” How can we apply knowledge of the
presence of Christ to help us get through a situation?
We
can remember that Christ is with us.
“I can do all everything through Christ who gives me strength.”
Phil. 4:13
6. How important is it that people see a
difference in our lives when we go through trials?
Closing Thought
What needs to change in your life as a result of this study?