Beauty from Ashes
Study based on the sermon from May 14, 2017, Transforming Our Trials from the sermon series …
RELATE
Beauty from Ashes What idea, insight, illustration or instruction from the sermon or testimony was meaningful to you? Who comes to mind when you think of transforming trials? How did they show courage?
READ & REFLECT
Imagine you were given a magic eraser that could remove every failure, disappointment, and period of suffering from your own, or your child’s, life, would that be a good idea? Genesis 37:3-8, 18-28; 45:1-15; 50:14-24 Joseph’s favored status and dreams of grandeur led to trauma when his jealous brothers sold him as a slave. He rose to power and landed in jail, but always rebounded. What stands out to you in his story? How do you account for his resilience? How did he see his life as part of the larger story of God’s purpose for his people? What’s the difference between saying God caused a tragedy or trial in order to teach us something, and saying that God redeemed or recycled a trial or tragedy? What does each view imply about God’s nature? People often need to make sense of or find a cause for a time of trouble or tragedy. Why do we do this? Can we always know? How can it be hurtful? How can we best help those in the midst of a difficult or painful situation? What can we say or do that is true, helpful and encouraging? Share a time you faced that took courage to learn, grow, or trust. What most helped you make it through? As you look back on it, how has the meaning and value of that experience changed? What did you learn about yourself? About God? Do you see it now as a negative life event or a positive one, or both? John Ortberg wrote, "God isn't at work producing the circumstances I want. God is at work in bad circumstances to produce the me he wants”. How would your life be different if you spent less energy trying to manipulate circumstances? Is it always wrong to ask God to change our circumstances, to pray, “God, make it better!”? Where in Scripture do you see justification for this? How does praying, “God, make it count” change how we experience a trial or tragedy? Share an example of a time you’ve seen this done.
RESPOND
Could praying, “God, make it count,” instead of “God, make it better,” affect how we see trials? How? Next Step Pay attention to the way you respond to frustrations and negative circumstances this week. How do you think? How does your body respond? Practice inviting God into the situation as soon as possible, and note what happens as you do. Reflect I will not die, but I will live to tell what the Lord has done. Psalm 118:17
RELATE
Beauty from Ashes What idea, insight, illustration or instruction from the sermon or testimony was meaningful to you? Who comes to mind when you think of transforming trials? How did they show courage?
READ & REFLECT
Imagine you were given a magic eraser that could remove every failure, disappointment, and period of suffering from your own, or your child’s, life, would that be a good idea? Genesis 37:3-8, 18-28; 45:1-15; 50:14-24 Joseph’s favored status and dreams of grandeur led to trauma when his jealous brothers sold him as a slave. He rose to power and landed in jail, but always rebounded. What stands out to you in his story? How do you account for his resilience? How did he see his life as part of the larger story of God’s purpose for his people? What’s the difference between saying God caused a tragedy or trial in order to teach us something, and saying that God redeemed or recycled a trial or tragedy? What does each view imply about God’s nature? People often need to make sense of or find a cause for a time of trouble or tragedy. Why do we do this? Can we always know? How can it be hurtful? How can we best help those in the midst of a difficult or painful situation? What can we say or do that is true, helpful and encouraging? Share a time you faced that took courage to learn, grow, or trust. What most helped you make it through? As you look back on it, how has the meaning and value of that experience changed? What did you learn about yourself? About God? Do you see it now as a negative life event or a positive one, or both? John Ortberg wrote, "God isn't at work producing the circumstances I want. God is at work in bad circumstances to produce the me he wants”. How would your life be different if you spent less energy trying to manipulate circumstances? Is it always wrong to ask God to change our circumstances, to pray, “God, make it better!”? Where in Scripture do you see justification for this? How does praying, “God, make it count” change how we experience a trial or tragedy? Share an example of a time you’ve seen this done.
RESPOND
Could praying, “God, make it count,” instead of “God, make it better,” affect how we see trials? How? Next Step Pay attention to the way you respond to frustrations and negative circumstances this week. How do you think? How does your body respond? Practice inviting God into the situation as soon as possible, and note what happens as you do. Reflect I will not die, but I will live to tell what the Lord has done. Psalm 118:17
