Lesson 4 : Trials

Scripture Memorization

Begin memorizing 1 Corinthians 10:13

“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful;He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so you can stand up under it.”

1 Peter 4:12-13 —“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happened to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.”

Bible study 4: TrialsScripture MemorizationBegin memorizing 1 Corinthians 10:13“No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful;He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so you can stand up under it.”1 Peter 4:12-13 —“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happened to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.”

Soon after we are born again the Lord begins to TESTour faith. He often removes the emotions and feelings we have been experiencing to cause us to walk by faith. This does not mean He has deserted you! In this lesson you will learn:

1. What trials are
2. How God uses trials
3. What we should do when we are in the middle of a trial

A TRIAL is when God allows temptations, tribulations (hardship or affliction), or our relationship with other people to test our faith. It is the process He uses to refine us, make our faith stronger and teach us to trust Him more.

• Becoming a Christian does not mean we will stop having troubles. How did Jesus describe our lives in this world?(John 16:33)
• What should be our attitude when we are having our faith tested by trials or temptations? Why?(James 1:2-4)
• What are some of the results of trials? (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, 1 Peter 1:6-7)

PATIENCE or PERSEVERANCE means steadfastly enduring adverse circumstances with joy.

HOLINESS means morally perfect or free from sin.

• What are the end results when our Father disciplines us? (Hebrews 12:11)

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 temptations. It is NOT a sin to be tempted –it is only a sin when we give in to the temptation.

• Satan’s temptations are strong, but what promise do we have that is stronger? (1 John 4:4)
• Read 1 Corinthians 10:13 and answer the following questions:
  • Are your temptations ever new, something no one else has gone through before?
  • Will the Lord allow your temptations to be so strong that you will be unable to resist it?
  • What will the Lord provide when you are tempted?
• 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)
• In Matthew 4:1-11, when Jesus was tempted by Satan, what did He use to respond to Satan’s temptations? (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10)
• What results when we give in to temptations? (James 1:13-15)
• If we find that we have sinned, what should we do about it? How will Jesus respond to us? (1 John 1:9)

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

1. They are trivial compared to the sufferings of Christ and the glory we are to have in heaven.
2. They are temporary compared to the eternity Jesus has prepared for us.
3. They are transforming. They cause us to be conformed to the image of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.

• What encouragement does the Lord give us concerning every event and circumstance that happens to us in the world? (Romans 8:28)
• 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 John 14:27 that the peace He gives us is not like the peace the world offers. His peace does not depend on favorable circumstances. His peace comes from knowing that regardless of how things appear, 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. Read Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:2-4.

If you find yourselfin 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 trust you through everything.”

In your journal, write out the verse you memorized for lesson 4.