Session 4 – Being an OVERCOMER - TRIALS, CHALLENGES AND TRIBULATIONS

Memory Verse: 1st Corinthians 10:13

“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” - 1st Corinthians 10:13

1st Peter 4:12-13 - “Beloved, do no think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.”

Soon after we are born again, don’t be surprised if God TESTs our faith, or you are attacked by the enemy of your soul, the devil.

SO, why would we be tested after experiencing the joy of salvation? Very simple, God allows the emotional excitement we have experienced as new believers to fade so that we can begin learning what it means to walk by faith and grow in Christ.

In this session you should learn:

A. What trials are

B. How God uses trials

C. What we should do when we are in the middle of a trial

A TRIAL is when God allows temptation, tribulation (hardship or affliction), or our relationships with other people to TEST OUR FAITH. It is in the process He uses to refine us, make our faith stronger and teach us to trust Him more.

1. Becoming a Christian does not mean we will stop having troubles. How did Jesus describe our

lives in this world? John 16:33

2. What should be our attitude when we are having our faith tested by trials or temptations? Why? James 1:2-4

3. What are some of the results of trials? 2nd Corinthians 4:17-18, 1st Peter 1:6-7

PATIENCE or PERSEVERANCE means steadfastly enduring adverse circumstances with joy.

One aspect of trials is enduring hardship and affliction.

When the Lord is dealing with us as His children, He will allow tribulations to chasten or discipline us.

CHASTEN or DISCIPLINE in Greek means to train, educate, instruct, correct, reprove or admonish. It is a positive, loving method of eliminating evil and encouraging good. it is NOT harsh punishment.

4. When our Father disciplines or chastens us, he is demonstrating our relationship to Him.

What is that relationship? Hebrews 12:5-8

5. Why does God discipline or chasten us? Hebrews 12:9-10

6. What are the end results when our father disciplines us? Hebrews 12:11

Another way God tests our faith is by allowing Satan to tempt us. Each time the Lord helps us resist another temptation, we learn to trust Him more, He uses it to build our faith in Him.

TEMPTATION is when Satan tries to get us to sin. he may tempt us by something we see. he may tempt us by putting evil thoughts in our minds. he may tempt our flesh or our pride. He has many ways to tempt us. It is NOT a sin to be tempted! It is only a sin when we give in to temptation.

7. Satan's temptations are strong, but what promise do we have that is stronger? 1st John 4:4

8. Read 1st Corinthians 10:13 and answer these questions:

a) Are your temptations ever new, something no one else has gone through before?

b) will the lord allow your temptation to be so strong that you will be unable to resist it?

c) What will the Lord provide when you are tempted?

9. When we ask our high priest, Jesus, for help with our temptations, how can we be sure he understands what we are going through? Hebrews 4:15

10. When Jesus was tempted by Satan in Matthew 4:1-11 what did He use to respond to Satan's temptations?

11. What Results when we give in to temptation? James 1:13-15

12. If we find that we have sinned, what should we do about it? How will Jesus respond to us? 1 John 1:9

2nd Corinthians 4:17-18 tells us three things about trials:

a. They are trivial compared to the sufferings of Christ and the glory we will have in Heaven.

b. They are temporary compared to eternity Jesus has prepared for us.

c. They are transforming. They cause us to be conformed to the image of God's son, Jesus Christ.

13. What encouragement does the Lord give to us concerning every event and circumstance that happens to us in the world? Romans 8:28

14. We see that God uses ALL the events in our lives to shape us and mold us. Whose likeness is He trying to make us into? Romans 8:29

Jesus told us in John14:27 that the peace He gives us is not like the peace the rest of the world has. His peace does not depend on favorable circumstances. his peace comes from knowing that, regardless of how things appear, because God is still in control and we can trust Him to see us through the rough times.

The hardships we suffer are not a surprise to Him. They are part of His plan. By them He prepares us, not for a temporary life of comfort, but for an eternity of holiness.

If you find yourself in a trial, seek guidance from God's Word and from Him in prayer. You might pray something like this: “Lord help me to learn from this, help me to become what You want me to be, help me to trust in You through everything.”

From memory, write out your memory verse from the beginning of the session.