Friday: Further Study: The Perfecting of Our Faith
Further Study: Ellen G. White, “The Sermon on the Mount,” p. 298-314, in The Desire of Ages.
-Ellen G. White, The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald, April 10, 1894.
God would have his servants become acquainted with their own hearts. In order to bring to them a true knowledge of their condition, he permits the fire of affliction to assail them, so that they may be purified. The trials of life are God’s workmen to remove the impurities, infirmities, and roughness from our characters, and fit them for the society of pure, heavenly angels in glory. Then as we pass through trial, as the fire of affliction kindles upon us, shall we not keep our eyes fixed upon the things that are unseen, on the eternal inheritance, the immortal life, the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory? [A]nd while we do this, the fire will not consume us, but only remove the dross, and we shall come forth seven times purified, bearing the impress of the Divine.
Discussion Questions:
- What Bible characters do you find most encouraging in times of suffering? Have you learned to find joy in trials? If so, share with the class what has helped you do this. At the same time, if you haven’t been able to rejoice in your sufferings, talk about that in class, as well (if you feel comfortable doing it).
- Dwell more on this idea that true wisdom is not so much head knowledge but what we do in faith through Christ. At the same time, why does this not mean that head knowledge isn’t important? How can having, for instance, wrong doctrine, be very detrimental to one’s walk with the Lord?
- A young man had a friend who went through severe trials. Although the young man found the trials painful to watch, he did notice that his friend was growing in grace. When the trials were over, his friend really had changed-and for the better! What things have you learned from your trials that have been spiritually beneficial to you? Ask yourself, could I have learned them any other way?
- What can you say to someone who appears sincere in faith and yet, admits to being, at times, overcome with doubt? How can you help?
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4.What can you say to someone who appears sincere in faith and yet, admits to being, at times, overcome with doubt? How can you help?
1. I would empathize with them in their current trial.
2. I would share with them all the Bible hero's who at times were overcome with doubt.
3. I would help them to remember all the times the LORD had come through for them in the past
4. I would share with them all the wonderful promises in the Bible
5. I would comfort her with the knowledge that this world is not going to last much longer, the LORD is going to put a stop to pain and suffering and we will live in a perfect world of love.
2Co 4:16 Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day.
2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory;
2Co 4:18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Shirley, what about sharing your own experience with the Lord? When we point people back to Bible heroes, it's easy to think of them as being way back in history and somehow on a higher plane. It's not so easy to relate to them. But when they see how God has worked and is working in the lives of people they know, they can gain courage to believe that God can work in their lives too.
That's why telling what God has done for us is so important.
Hi Inge,
Sure I could share my own experience with the LORD if necessary, however I prefer to focus on the person with the trials & doubts, i.e. empathy - let them share their issues, then help them to recall their previous experience and success with the LORD. I have found too often 'the helper' rushes into 'when I did ...' and the focus is not on the person who needs help. Also if someone is doubting they need to be reassured that the Word is the place they need to turn to for support and answers to their doubt.
Hi Inge,
Also why I would refer to Bible heroes of faith that had doubt is because if even those heroes had doubt then we don't have to feel bad if we have doubt. This would comfort someone who might be saying to themselves if I have doubt it means that I don't have enough faith.
Thanks, Shirley, you are "right on." But my idea was not to share our own trials and tribulations, but to share what GOD has done, with the idea of encouraging the other person in his/her faith.
Much "sharing of faith" focuses on the individual who is doing the "sharing" and I'm not sure that is helpful in other situations either.
Our Lord Jesus Christ,met trials often and this never discouraged him from doing good and to the faith of the Father...trials makes us a better person that God wants!
This week we learned we are to exercise and strengthen our faith through trials, prayers answered, trust, personal testimonies, and loathing (feeling discust for) doubt and sin. James in all his theological wisdom told us in James 1:6-8 to loath doubt, and David in Psalms 51:1-14 taught us how to loath sin.
Two days ago my wife and I set out to rent a u-haul truck. We got in the car and my wife said, " let's ask for the Lords protection and blessing for our several errands today. We did, when we arrived to take our reservation, the lady said,"you have it for 6 days, I was impressed to give you 3 extra days at no extra cost." Doubt in God again became abhorrent to us.
I'm thinking about fearing God, having faith and Exodus 1:15-21 while I'm studying James, and trying to apply it practically…. someone is about to legally physically seriously harm someone I deeply love and I'm looking at ways I can illegally contravene to save this life. Am I honouring God as the midwives did? and having the faith that James speaks of?