Prayer (5 Minutes)
- Pray through current struggles/trials that you are facing, that others in your life are facing, or that are being faced globally. Ask that God help you and give you more trust in Him.
Song (5 Minutes)
Catechism (5 minutes)
Have everyone read aloud simultaneously or allow everyone to try to answer before revealing the answer.
Q42: How is the Word of God to be read and heard?
A: With diligence, preparation, and prayer; so that we may accept it with faith and practice it in our lives. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
A: With diligence, preparation, and prayer; so that we may accept it with faith and practice it in our lives. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)
Questions from: https://newcitycatechism.com/. Go there to start from beginning or to read more.
Scripture (5 Minutes)
Romans 8:28 (NLT), James 1:1–2 (NLT), 2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)
Romans 8:28 (NLT)
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
James 1:1–2 (NLT)
This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
James 1:1–2 (NLT)
This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad. Greetings! Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.
2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
Discussion (5-10 Minutes)
You can lead through a teaching or use the following questions to start a discussion:
- What are some hard things that happen in life that make us wonder about God's goodness?
- How does Romans 8:28 help us understand God's control over both good and bad things?
- What does it mean to "count it all joy" when we face trials? Does this mean we have to feel happy about hard things?
- How is God's patience (2 Peter 3:9) connected to His allowing difficult things to happen?
- How can knowing God's promise to work all things for good help us when we're going through something hard?
- Can you think of a time when something difficult ended up bringing about something good?
Closing Prayer (3 Minutes)
"Loving Father, thank You that You are completely good and that You are in control of everything that happens. Help us trust You even when we don't understand why hard things happen. Give us faith to believe that You are working all things together for good, just as You promise in Your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen."