Proverbs 24:16
“For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, but the wicked stumble in time of calamity.”
Q: Define perseverance according to this verse. Describe the circumstances you face today and how they are developing perseverance in your character.
Perseverance is rising up every time you stumble. Example: “I am learning how to persevere by not cursing or speaking negatively around my fellow teammates.”
Psalm 139:7-12
“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend to heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the dawn,
If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, even there Your hand will lead me, and Your right hand will lay hold of me. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,’ even the darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.”
Q: What is God’s promise to you when you are enduring your darkest and most difficult days? How does believing this promise change your attitude during those trials?
God will never leave me. When I am enduring something difficult, I know I am not alone. Even if my friends don’t support me, I have the Lord by my side!”
Picture
Matthew 26:39 – “And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, ‘My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.’”
Luke 22:44 – “And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.”
Hebrews 5:8 – “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.”
Q: Describe Jesus’ attitude during His greatest hour of suffering. How did Jesus, even Jesus Himself, develop perseverance? What does this amazing truth say to you?
Jesus had an attitude of selflessness. He develops perseverance by praying to God the Father for strength — WHICH shows I need to ask for perseverance, and God is able to provide it.
Paul
Romans 5:3-5 – “And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us”
Q: How do tribulations develop perseverance?
They cause us to trip and stumble, which then makes us lean on God to get up! This reliance on the Lord develops proven character and hope in God.
Peter
2 Peter 1:5-7 – “Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love.”
Q: How does perseverance lead to Godliness?
It develops our moral excellence, knowledge of God, and self-control, each of which sanctify us and make us more like Christ.
James 1:2-4 – “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
Q: What does your attitude need to be like when you are undergoing difficulty in your life? What will a negative or selfish attitude do to your relationship with Jesus when you are suffering?
I should strive to have an attitude of joy and hope knowing that God will carry me through this trial and grant me perseverance. If I am negative or selfish, it shows a lack of faith in Jesus and will harm my relationship with him.
APPLICATION: How do these passages relate to me today? What changes do they bring to my life?
LOCKER ROOM: Is there anything this week that you have been enslaved to, and how we can help you?
