Bgroup Lesson Oct 27
Big Idea: Believers aren’t exempt from hardships or opposition in life. In fact, we are promised we will face battles and those who aren’t believers will actually hate us. Jesus spent time in the wilderness, experienced the crushing of Gethsemane and the betrayal of Judas. If He encountered opposition we should expect to as well. God uses opposition to shape us into the image of Christ. He desires to make us like Jesus! If we aren’t facing opposition, are we truly following Him? Today, we will discover three tips to help us endure when facing opposition.
Key Scripture:
Acts 5:29-32 (NLT) - But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority. The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead after you killed him by hanging him on a cross.Then God put him in the place of honor at his right hand as Prince and Savior. He did this so the people of Israel would repent of their sins and be forgiven. We are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit, who is given by God to those who obey him.”
In the book of Acts, we see 73 different experiences of opposition throughout its 28 chapters. We see words like arrested, jailed, stoned, beaten, prision, and kill repeatedly. These words highlight for us the theme of the book. We see believers and the early church face opposition time and time again. We also see the Holy Spirit empower the believers with boldness which brought dynamic growth and expansion of the church in the midst of adversity.
Beliefs are what we hold. Convictions are what hold us! It’s not enough to have a knowledge of God. We need a revelation of Him. Convictions come from experiences with God. As believers we must be convinced of who He is and who we are in Him. He is our Savior and our keeper. Peter’s revelation of Christ developed a deep conviction and boldness in him to stand for Jesus no matter the opposition he faced! The authority we find in Scripture is the catalyst for goldy convictions and boldness. Knowing Scripture ensures we won’t be led astray by teachings and doctrines that aren’t true. Scripture gives us a foundation to stand on and promises to cling to.
Isaiah 54:17 (NKJV) - No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall condemn.
1 John 4:4 (KJV) - Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Acts 4:29 (NLT) - And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word.
God allows problems in our lives to:
Discussion Questions: What are some of your personal convictions? Who is someone you admire because they live a life of conviction? What is a Scripture verse you stand on when you face opposition or adversity?
The early church responded in compassion towards those around them. They understood they weren’t facing enemies that need to be defeated but rather souls to be redeemed. People aren’t our enemy! But the enemy will use people to come against us. Don’t fight spiritual battles in a natural way.
Ephesians 6:12 (NLT) - For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
Stephen was a young man strong in conviction who became a martyr for his faith. When he was being stoned to death he prayed a beautiful prayer of compassion for those hurling stones at him. Stephen’s prayer in Acts 7 sounds a lot like Jesus’ prayer in Luke 23. What an incredible example of Christ’s image being created and displayed in the life of a disciple.
Acts 7:59-60 (NLT) - As they stoned him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” He fell to his knees, shouting, “Lord, don’t charge them with this sin!” And with that, he died.
Luke 23:34, 46 (NLT) - Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!
Praying for our enemies may not change them. But it will keep them from changing us! Praying for our enemies will keep our hearts tender and compassionate. Don’t take the bait of the enemy–the bait of hate. But rather walk in love towards everyone! We can’t hate someone into the Kingdom. Love is the key!
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT) - Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Holding Frame:
Discussion Question: Think of a time when someone did something to frustrate or aggravate you. How did you respond? Did you extend grace and love? Or did you snap and respond in your flesh? Is there someone in your life right now you need to pray for or even forgive in order to walk in love and experience peace?
To be sold-out is to be all in on something. It means to be completely devoted, committed, and invested in something. It’s not “selling-out” or compromising our values for personal gain. In
Matthew 16 we see the first time the word “church” is mentioned in Scripture. Jesus speaks of the church in the context of conflict when he mentions the “gates of hell”. He was encouraging us that we will outlast and overcome whatever comes against us, the church, because we are built on the rock, which is Christ!
Matthew 16:13-18 (NLT) - When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is? “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
Daniel prophesied many things. He spoke of kingdoms and rulers that would rise and fall, but the Kingdom of God would last for eternity. When Nebudchadnezzar had a dream, God gave Daniel the ability to not only interpret the dream but revealed the dream to him. Through this dream, we see how God used every empire and ruler to advance His kingdom! Jews were scattered abroad where they preached the gospel to the four corners of the earth. The gathering of the Jews in Jerusalem strengthened the local temple of worship. The common language provided a way for all people to hear and comprehend the Good News. And churches were planted all over the world with the Apostle Paul. What was meant to destroy the church, actually advanced the Kingdom of God! We can sell out to the cause of the Kingdom knowing our King and His Kingdom will never end!
Daniel 2:34-25 (NLT) - As you watched, a rock was cut from a mountain, but not by human hands. It struck the feet of iron and clay, smashing them to bits. The whole statue was crushed into small pieces of iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold. Then the wind blew them away without a trace, like chaff on a threshing floor. But the rock that knocked the statue down became a great mountain that covered the whole earth.
Discussion Question: Are you sold-out to Jesus and His cause? What holds you back from fully committing to Him? Are you fearful about the upcoming election or the future in general? If so, release that fear to the Lord and surrender to Him. Let the King assure you of His authority and sovereignty today!
Conclusion: We are called to stand strong and endure to the very end no matter the trials or tribulations we face. In John 16:33, Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Today, let the Holy Spirit empower you to live a life strong in conviction, steady in compassion, and sold-out to the cause of Christ!