LEARNING TO LIVE

 Lesson No. 7.   What Does the Bible Say About Why Christians Have to Suffer?

 COMMENT: When you became a Christian, you became a soldier in a war against evil powers.  Satan does not want any non-Christian to hear the gospel.  He does not want them to see how real Christ can be in an individual's life.  The suffering we are going to consider has nothing to do with what we bring on ourselves because of sin or bad attitudes.  The suffering, trials or tribulation that we are going to consider are those which Satan and the world bring upon us because we have dedicated our lives to the Savior.  There are three areas in which you can suffer: the spiritual, the emotional (soul), and the physical.  These trials and tribulations can be turned into joyful victories and bring much glory to the Savior.

 1. What are Christians? 
2Timothy 2:3 Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.

 

 

2. In what kind of war is the true Christian? 
2Corinthians 10:3 For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards,

 

 

3. What are you to endure for the Savior? 
2Timothy 2:4 No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him.

 

 

4. What kind of weapons does the Christian have? 
2Corinthians 10:4 for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds. We tear down arguments

 

 

5. What is the purpose of being a good soldier? 
2Timothy 2:4 No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him.

 

 

6. What will give you constant victory?  I John 5:4
1John 5:4 because everyone who has been fathered by God conquers the world.

 

 

 

7. Read Philippians 1:29 and tell what two things a believer is called upon to do for Jesus' sake.
Philippians 1:29 For it has been granted to you not only to believe in Christ but also to suffer for him, 

a. -

 

b. -

 

8. Read Ephesians 6:10-12.  It points out that you must be strong because you are fighting against evil powers.  It tells you what armor you need for your spiritual protection.  In v. 17, what is your offensive weapon?
Eph 6:10-12 Finally, be strengthened in the Lord and in the strength of his power.  (11)  Clothe yourselves with the full armor of God so that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  (12)  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.

 

 

What must one do to be a good soldier?
Eph 6:18  With every prayer and petition, pray at all times in the Spirit, and to this end be alert, with all perseverance and requests for all the saints.

 

 

9. Read John 15:18 and John 3:13.  What attitude can you expect from the world because of a life lived for your wonderful Savior and Lord?
John 15:18 "If the world hates you, be aware that it hated me first.
John 3:13 No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven — the Son of Man.

 

 

COMMENT: Thus, your first reason for suffering is that you are in a battle against evil powers.

10. What kind of example did Jesus leave you? 
1Peter 2:21  For to this you were called, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example for you to follow in his steps.

 

  

11. What attitude should  you have when you suffer? 
1Peter 4:16  But if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but glorify God that you bear such a name.

 

 

12. What definitely will happen if you live a godly life? 
2Timothy 3:12 Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

 

 13. What does I Peter 4:13 say about suffering?
1Peter 4:13  But rejoice in the degree that you have shared in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice and be glad.

 

 14. According to I Peter 1:7, what is the purpose of the trial of your faith?
1Peter 1:7  Such trials show the proven character of your faith, which is much more valuable than gold — gold that is tested by fire, even though it is passing away — and will bring praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

 

15. What do you need to keep in mind concerning suffering? 
Rom 8:18  For I consider that our present sufferings cannot even be compared to the glory that will be revealed to us.

 

 COMMENT:  A second reason for suffering is that you might bring glory to the Lord Jesus Christ.

16. Read II Corinthians 1:1-7.  What does God do for you in your trials?
2Co 1:1-7  From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God that is in Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia. (2)  Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!  (3)  Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  (4)  who comforts us in all our troubles so that we may be able to comfort those experiencing any trouble with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  (5)  For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow toward us, so also our comfort through Christ overflows to you. (6)  But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort that you experience in your patient endurance of the same sufferings that we also suffer.  (7)  And our hope for you is steadfast because we know that as you share in our sufferings, so also you will share in our comfort.

 

  

17. What is the purpose (according to the above passage) of the comfort received from God during the trial?

 

 

18. What fulfills the law of Christ, which is to love one another?
Galatains 6:2 Carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

 

 

 

19. List one thing you are to do and one thing you are not to do, from
Galatians 6:9-10 So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up. (10)  So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.

 a. -

 

b. -

 

20. What two things should you have in your tribulations?
2Thessalonians 1:4 As a result we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions you are enduring. 

a. -

 

b. -

 

COMMENT: a third reason for suffering is that you might help comfort others who are going through the same thing. 

21. Who does God correct or chasten? 
Hebrews 12:6 "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son he accepts."

 

 

22. How many Christians does a loving Father correct? 
Hebrews 12:6  "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves and chastises every son he accepts."

 

23. How does this correction seem in the beginning? 
Hebrews 12:11 Now all discipline seems painful at the time, not joyful. But later it produces the fruit of peace and righteousness for those trained by it.

 

What are the results of this correction?  Hebrews 12:11

 

 25. What two things does the Psalmist say about testing? 
Psalm 119:67  I used to suffer because I would stray off, but now I keep your instructions.
Psalm 119:71  It was good for me to suffer, so that I might learn your statutes. 

a. -

 

b. -

 

COMMENT: A fourth reason for suffering is that you might mature and grow by correction. 

26. In the following verses tell what God desires for your life:
Psalm 138:2  I will bow down toward your holy temple, and give thanks to your name, because of your loyal love and faithfulness, for you have exalted your promise above the entire sky.

 

Proverbs 3:5-6  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. (6)  Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.

 

 Psalm 35:9  Then I will rejoice in the Lord and be happy because of his deliverance.

 

 Romans 1:16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is God's power for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

 

 Acts 16:15  After she and her household were baptized, she urged us, "If you consider me to be a believer in the Lord, come and stay in my house." And she persuaded us.

 

 3John 1:4  I have no greater joy than this: to hear that my children are living according to the truth.

 

 Galatians 6:2  Carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

 

 2Timothy 2:15  Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.

 

 James 4:7  So submit to God. But resist the devil and he will flee from you.

 

 1Pe 2:13  Be subject to every human institution for the Lord's sake, whether to a king as supreme
1Pe 2:17-18  Honor all people, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the king.  (18)  Slaves, be subject to your masters with all reverence, not only to those who are good and gentle, but also to those who are perverse.

 

Mark 16:15  He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

 

 

27. What will be the result of yielding to a most gracious, loving Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ? 
1John 1:4 Thus we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

 

 

COMMENT:  At the moment you trusted in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you received the Holy Spirit, (Ephesians 1:13, 14; I John 5:6, 10) and He dwells within your heart and life.  He gives you the power to serve and love the Savior through the Word (Ephesians 6:17).  Pray daily; read God's Word; by faith practice it in your life, daily praying for wisdom and understanding - THAT'S JOY!!!  Don't miss Nehemiah 8:10.