Online Bible Study - The Promise Is to You
THE QUESTION: What does God promise his people about life in this world? WE BELIEVE: God promises that he will help them through difficulties. A STORY: The Book of Acts, chapters 13 through 14 tells the story of Paul's first missionary journey. He and Barnabas were sent out by the Spirit from the coastal city of Antioch to tell people the good news about Jesus. First they went to the island of Cyprus, where they converted the governor. But they also had to confront a sorcerer who was spreading lies about them. Next they went north to Pisidian Antioch (in present-day Turkey). There they taught the Jews about Jesus, but when the Jews turned against them, they taught the rest of the city. The Jews, however, stirred up a persecution and Paul and Barnabas were thrown out of the city. The two went to Iconium, where they were also eventually thrown out, then Lystra and Derbe. There the people first tried to worship them, because they had done a miracle. Then, the Jews came and they persuaded the people to stone Paul, whom they left for dead. Eventually Paul and Barnabas made it back to Antioch, but along the way they encouraged all the believers they left behind in all the cities they had visited. The story of Paul's life shows us that Christians, too, can have horrible difficulties in life. Christians can have all the troubles other people have: poverty, sickness, death, hunger, unemployment, crime, draught. List some of the problems you have in your life: Christians can also have extra trouble because of their faith. Jesus told his disciples, "As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you" (John 15:19). In some countries, Christians are still being killed because of their faith. In many more places, they are looked down upon and despised because they follow Jesus. GOD SPEAKS: God promises, "He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him." Psalm 91:15 Despite all their troubles, Christians have something others don't. In every trouble and difficulty, we can call out to God in prayer and he will hear us and answer us. He will give us strength to endure. He will do miracles, if that's the best thing for us. He will direct events according to his plan for us. He will be sure to protect our faith against doubting with his steadfast love. GOD SPEAKS: "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us--whatever we ask--we know that we have what we asked of him." 1 John 5:14-15 THIS PART OF OUR LESSON ASKS: Why is it good to know that God is greater than any problem in life?
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