Hope Amidst the Storm

St Paul’s Church Charlottetown PEI 

The Lord’s Table: Bible study/Prayer meeting 

(Every Wednesday 6-7 pm at the Chapel) 

14 September 2016

Opening Prayer/Worship     ​                       Hymn: Immortal, invisible, God only wise

Theme: Spirit Divine​​         ​       ​       ​         ​       Topic: Hope Amidst the Storm

Reading: Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28

Introduction

We live in a world where good and evil co-exist.  It is clear that we all go through seasons of joy and pain in our lives; no one has exclusivity to one or the other.  What particularly helps followers of Jesus Christ during challenging times is our hope in Christ.  The truth is that God knows what we are going through; nothing takes Him by surprise.  Not only does the Lord know about our pain, He promised to go through them with us, and to turn the pain to our gain.  This does not mean that the Lord enjoys seeing His children suffer rather he delights in rescuing us from trouble.  As long as we are in this world we will have trouble; but our confidence is that God we see us through it all.  Similarly, we all go through spiritual ups and downs; but as we fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, the Holy Spirit empowers us to keep growing in the Lord.

Questions/Discussion

1. What should be our attitude during stormy times in our lives?  Matthew 5:43-48; Philippians 2:14-18, 4:4-9; Hebrews 12:1-12.

2. What are the lessons for us in Luke 15:1-10 regarding having hope amidst the storms of life?  Luke 15:1-10.

3. Discuss some of the challenges to having hope during the storms of life. How do we overcome them? Psalm 14:1-7; Isaiah 41:8-10, 13-16; 1 Timothy 1:12-17.

Intercession/Worship

Conclusion

Not only does the Lord know about our pain, He promised to go through them with us, and to turn the pain to our gain.  

Closing Prayer (Collect for Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost)

Almighty God, you call your Church to witness that in Christ we are reconciled to you.  Help us so to proclaim the good news of your love, that all who hear it may turn to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.  

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