Faith In Christ – A Source of Hope and Resilience

Faith in Christ – A Source of Hope and Resilience

Activity: “Grave Keeper” / “Killer Wink” games

MUSIC:

Intro: Life can be tough – academic failure, rejection, broken families, mental health struggles, fear about the future, and social pressures. Christianity gives a vision of hope: that suffering isn’t meaningless, that forgiveness is possible, and that brokenness can be healed. Believing in a God who creates good out of hardship fosters resilience. What’s something that gives you hope when things get hard? Young people with faith find they can face challenges with greater courage!

ISAIAH 40:28-31    The Source of Real Hope

•  Where do you turn for hope when the going gets rough?
• Our Creator God is the source of perfect faith, unconditional love, and eternal life.
• How is hope placed in God different that “just hoping things get better”?
• What does verse 29 mean by “He gives strength to the weary
• and increases the power of the weary.”

JAMES 1:2-4     Growing Through Trials

• How do we grow? How do muscles get stronger? How do we learn good coping skills? (See also Romans 5:1-5)
• Have you faced any trials in your life? How hard is it to welcome these challenges and struggles? Have you become stronger by perseverance…even when you really wanted to quit?
• How does God help us persevere through life’s troubles?
• How does placing our hope in Jesus help us become “mature and complete”?

JOHN 16:33     Are We Victims…or Overcomers?

• How is the hope the world offers insufficient? (Conditional, temporary)
• How can Jesus say that “I have overcome the world”?
• How does the fact that Jesus has overcome the world give us peace?
• Has your living hope in Christ ever helped you overcome a situation?

2 CORINTHIANS 4:7-9     Perplexed, but not in despair

• The Bible’s most often repeated commandment: “Do not be afraid”!
• How is fearless hope different than fearful hope?
• Fearless+ Hope = Resilience (define resilience)
• Use the rain and umbrella illustration

 SUMMARY – Hope is rooted in God’s character: God is faithful, even when life isn’t easy. Resilience grows through trust. We don’t quit or give up because our faith reminds us God is working for good (Romans 8:28 / Jeremiah 29:11). Christ gives us perspective: the cross and empty tomb show that darkness never has the last word! The Holy Spirit empowers us. We don’t face hardship alone…God gives us strength from within..

CHALLENGE: Send a text or DM to at least one person this week with encouragement for some situation they are struggling with. Tag it with #Galatians6:2

 PRAYER