2: The Crucibles That Come – Teaching Plan

Key Thought: God brings people into difficult positions and circumstances that they may discover the defects in their character so they can be corrected and fit for His service.
.July 9, 2022

1. Have a volunteer read I Peter 4:12-19.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
How are we to respond to troubles and difficulties in our lives? Are many of our problems caused by our own poor choices and actions?
Personal Application: Why do we always face adversity and trials with an attitude that it is a strange thing to happen to us? Do we think God is always going to give us smooth sailing? Share your thoughts..
Case Study: One of your relatives states, “Why do I have so many trials in my life? It seems like one disaster after another. I know I haven’t always done what God has wanted me to do, and I don’t go to church much, but why is everything so hard for me?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read I Peter 5:8.

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
How seriously do we take this message?
Personal Application: When we are caught up in sin and the immorality of the world and can see no way God could forgive us; what promises does God give us to help encourage us and others? Share your thoughts
Case Study: One of your friends states, “This world is so perverted now. Morality is deemed as judgmental, condemning, and biased as every level of sexual deviance is rampant. Murder, theft, hatred, and anger is rampant everywhere. There is no respect for elders, leaders, teachers, or parents. Where is God in all this?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Romans 1:21-32.

Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
What is Paul saying about the stages of sin and its consequences?
Personal Application: How have you reaped the consequences of your own sins? What have you learned from this? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: One of your relatives states: “How do I know whether some bad thing that is happening to me is from God, or from the devil, or from my own mistakes” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
How does Paul deal with his thorn in the flesh?
Personal Application: Did Paul’s weakness have any spiritual benefits for him? How can his response help you to deal with your thorns? Share your thoughts.
Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

Amen!