Struggling Christian Introduction Weeks

I want to begin with a personal note about the Struggling Christian class.  This was a class topic that I thought was needed, not just for Trinity Baptist Church but also for the universal church.  That became apparent after the first week of class in two different ways.  First, I made 10 copies of the class notes, thinking that would be enough.  The class ended up with close to 30 people.  I didn't know how many people would show up for a class called "The Struggling Christian."  The second reason became obvious as soon as we began the discussion time in class.  We talked about struggles people have, reasons why struggling in a church setting can often be a very real challenge, and how we as individuals in a church can help lessen these challenges.  

Here are some of the points discussed in class.  These are necessary and great reminders.  At the same time, a very encouraging part of each class is the discussion about struggles, challenges, and blessings.  These points form the skeleton of class time.  Each lesson has so much more, as people share life connected to Scripture.    

• As followers of Christ, we will have trouble.  John 16:33b says, "In the world you have tribulation.
• As followers of Christ, we have peace and hope.  BEFORE and AFTER the reality of trouble in this world, we see hope.  The beginning of the verse says, " These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace." The end of the verse says "but take courage; I have overcome the world."  This hope is also found in the Old Testament.  Proverbs 18:10 says, "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe."
• As followers of Christ, we need to help others in their struggles by listening and gaining understanding.  Proverbs 18:13 encourages us to listen well before answering.  If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.  First Thessalonians 5:14 tells us to demonstrate patient understanding.  The verse says to "admonish the idle [undisciplined], encourage the fainthearted, help the weak."  There are different types of struggles people are going through and these different struggles require a different response from helpers. 
• Remember the three "do not worry" commands in Matthew 6:25-34, are grounded in God's goodness and richness, not our willpower.  "Do not worry" is not meant to be a three-word mantra to repeat or tell others to repeat.  It reminds us who God is and what He has done for His children.

With these four points in mind, here are three words we need to clarify for class discussion.  These descriptions are not perfect, but they are meant to be a help for this class and even understanding the class title.

• Suffering:  According to Vocabulary.com, suffering comes from Latin roots meaning "below" and "to bear."  It is "something pressing you down that you have to submit to and bear."  For the sake of this class, suffering is something that happens to you.  It is more passive than active.
• Trials:  These are external situations that last for a specific time and have a specific purpose - to prove and purify one's faith.
• Struggles:  These are ongoing, and we are actively fighting them. Because of sin this life is a struggle.  We will always be fighting against something - spiritual apathy, aging, challenging relationships, and so much more.   Ongoing and active

BIG GOD REMINDERS:

God is sovereign and inscrutable.  Here are elementary school definitions of these big words.  

"God is sovereign" means that God is the boss.  He is a good boss.  He is the perfect boss.  He is the most loving boss.  He is the all-powerful boss.  Now I know the word "boss" might not sit well with you as a description of God but remember what a boss is.  The boss is the one in charge, the one who exercises control, and the one who directs others. This word, coupled with good, perfect, loving, and all-powerful, gives a good, yet imperfect picture of God.  

"God is inscrutable" means that God is God and we are not.  Inscrutability means that God cannot be understood.  That might sound disappointing, but the great reality behind our understanding of God is that we cannot fully know God, BUT we can truly know God (adapted from Kevin DeYoung).  This attribute of God is found throughout Scripture and specifically in Romans 11:33, "Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways."

During the second and third weeks of class, we have dug into passages of Scripture to remind us of who God is and how we are to live in response to who He is.

James 1:1-18

Psalm 3, 13, 22, 42, 44, and 60

ASSIGNMENT:

In our next class (October 4), we will be looking at Psalm 10, Romans 11, and Job 38 - 41.