The Awesome Power of Endurance
Adding Power to Your Purpose - Part 4
January 30 - February 4, 2006

You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised.

Hebrews 10:36 (NAB)

What do you do when you feel like giving up? The people of Rwanda have had this challenge through years of calamities, in dealing with pandemics, genocide, poverty, and wars. The dictionary says 'endurance' is the power of withstanding hardship or stress, or the state of persevering. The Bible says 'endurance' is the fortitude to never give up - a characteristic of the people God uses. Paul, for example, says in his second letter to Timothy "You have followed what I teach, the way I live, my purpose, faith, patience, and love - You know I never give up" (2 Timothy 3:10, NCV). And in his second letter to the Corinthians, he says "In everything we do we show that we are God's servants by patiently enduring troubles, hardships, and difficulties" (2 Corinthians 6:4, TEV). In this study we will look at the six steps God tells us to take when we feel like giving up.

MONDAY

HOW TO DEVELOP ENDURANCE?

EMBRACE GOD'S PURPOSE IN THE PROBLEM.
[Your Objective: Learn what God's purpose in a problem is and how to act about it.]

According to 1 Peter 1:7, what purpose does God have for you in your trials?

  • What does James 1:3-4 say produces endurance?
  • How should you focus on faith when going though trials?
  • What does it mean to focus on faith?

According to Romans 5:3-4, what are the ultimate benefits of endurance?

  • Is God suggesting here that you should rejoice because life has given you problems and trials?
  • What should you rejoice about?

Fellowship (Membership) - Membership means to connect with others as a part of the family of God. In embracing God's purpose in a problem, you put yourself on the path of faith Jesus created for the Church. How can you connect with other church members walking the path of God as you are? Why can you better support other members who find themselves in the same types of problems and circumstances as you are?

TUESDAY

NURTURE YOUR SPIRITUAL ROOTS.
[Your Objective: Recognize the importance of developing deep spiritual roots by building your life around the Word of God.]

In Mark 4:17, what happens when trouble comes to the person who doesn't have deep spiritual roots?

  • The Bible tells of what type of good fortune coming from seeds, good hearts, and endurance in Luke 8:15?
  • What are the benefits of spending time in God's Word when the immediate reward doesn't seem evident?
  • What other things in life require endurance and pay off in the end?
  • Describe a situation or crisis where deep spiritual roots would be important.

What does Romans 15:4 tell us about endurance and the Scriptures?

  • If you build your life around the Word of God and thus nurture your spiritual roots, what can you expect to receive when problems arise in your life?

Discipleship (Maturity) - You demonstrate your maturity when you nurture your spiritual roots. God is interested in a relationship with you and wants you to build a life around His Word. Focusing your life on God and the Bible gives you a stable foundation. Even if circumstances change, you can rely on the deep solid foundation you have with Jesus Christ. What can you do this week to nurture your spiritual roots and take your life with God to a deeper level?

WEDNESDAY

DIRECT YOUR ATTENTION TO JESUS.
[Your Objective: Sharpen your direct focus on Jesus.]

What is Jesus the author of according to Hebrews 12:2?

  • How did Jesus endure the cross according to this verse?
  • What was the result of Jesus enduring the cross?
  • How are you to imitate Jesus when going through problems?
  • What will be the result of your focusing on Christ?

USE YOUR EXPERIENCE TO HELP OTHERS.

Read 2 Corinthians 1:6. Who does the Father ask you to help after you are weighed down with troubles?

According to 1 Corinthians 13:7, what is your motivation to endure and thus help others?

  • How should you respond in your life to this verse of love, faith, hope, and endurance?
  • What does it mean to "comfort others as God comforted you"?
  • How might you use your experiences to help others?
  • Do you know someone who has done this?

In 2 Timothy 2:10, why is Timothy willing to endure anything?

  • Why might God allow bad things to happen to someone?
  • Name at least three benefits that might result when someone takes a bad experience and helps others.

Ministry - Reaching out to others is a powerful act of love. If you share what you have learned from your experiences, you can minister to others and provide comfort. God asks you to have faith, hope, and love, with the greatest of these being love. You show God's grace when you are brave enough to use the trials and experiences in your life for good. Can you think of a time you have shared something that happened to you with someone and that person was helped or comforted by your honest sharing? What has happened to you that others could benefit from learning about? Consider ways to share with others God's love through your journey.

THURSDAY

RELY ON GOD'S POWER.
[Your Objective: Rely not on your own power but instead on the awesome power of God.]

According to Colossians 1:11, how will God's glorious power change you?

  • Does it seem that most people tap into God’s glorious power to help them in their lives?
  • Why might people rely on their own power, when they know God is so powerful and loves them so much?
  • Reflect on a recent problem or event in your life when you relied on God's power instead of your own.
  • Now recall a recent time when you relied on your own power instead of God's. How could relying on God have made a positive difference?

What does Romans 12:12 encourage you to do in hard times?

  • Why is prayer such a powerful tool in helping you endure tough times and follow through with God's purposes?
  • When times get really tough, why might someone forget to pray?
  • What have you noticed when someone does turn to prayer in the midst of a crisis?

Evangelism (Mission) - Sharing the Gospel with others shows your love for all and your commitment to bring Jesus into their lives. When you demonstrate to others how you rely on God's power, they are inspired by your faith. Think of ways this week to endure challenges you face by relying on God.

FRIDAY

EXPECT GOD TO BLESS MY ENDURANCE.
[Your Objective: Be reassured and remember that God blesses your faith.]

Who receives the crown of life according to James 1:12?

  • What is the relationship between loving God and enduring testing in James 1:12?
  • What makes you certain about God's blessing?

In 2 Timothy 2:12a, what is the reward God give you for endurance?

  • Why is reigning with Christ defined as joy?
  • What are other benefits of endurance?

In James 5:11, what reason is given about the character of God that motivates you to trust him?

  • How do you know what to expect from God when you endure?
  • How can we increase our patience?

Who is your example in suffering according to 1 Peter 2:21?

  • What steps will you take to follow Jesus' example when you are suffering?
  • How does following Jesus' example assure you of God's blessing?

Worship (Magnification) - How does your endurance make you closer to God in your heart? How does it help others believe in God as well?

SATURDAY

PERSONAL APPLICATION AND COMMITMENT:
[Your Objective: Act on the realization that when you have problems you are as close to God as you choose to be.]

Are you growing closer to God because of your problems, or are your problems leading you farther away from God? Think about the biggest problem in your life right and reflect on what role, if any, God has in it. Are you receiving the encouragement from God that comes from endurance? Paul said "You need endurance to do the will of God and receive what he has promised" (Hebrews 10:36, NAB). You are as close to God as you choose to be. Consider the six steps for developing endurance you have just studied and ask God to help you discern which step is most important for you to take now. Then conclude by identifying how you can begin to use the experience of your problem and your endurance to help others, and make a commitment to let others benefit through you.