1. Life Group Study Guide
February 10, 2013
“Faith is Encouraging”
David Clayton
FOCUS:Read Romans1:12
… that youand I may bemutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
All ofus go throughtimes whereweneed encouragement. Aswe go throughour
study together,reflecton howyourfaithin Godencourages youandhowGod
wants usto use ourfaith inChristto encourageothers.
1. For about 3 minutes, each one in the Life Group go to another person in the room
and say something to encourage them.
Faith is encouraging because it is strength for my troubles.
Read Job 22:29 When men are brought low and you say, “Lift them up!” then he will save the
downcast.
1. Explain how David’s illustration of God as a vineyardowner lifting fallen vines back
onto a trellis encourages and strengthens us in times of trouble.
2. Describe a time how your faith in God encouraged youthrough a very troubling
time.
Read Song of Songs 2:1 Catch for us the foxes,thelittle foxes that ruin the vineyards,our
vineyardsthatare in bloom.
1. What are some of those “little foxes” that gnaw at our faith?
Faith is encouraging because it is protection in temptation
Read 1 Corinthians 10:13 God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.
But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
1. What is encouraging about this verse?
2. How has this verse been misunderstood (hint: trials vs. temptation)?
3. What do you believe are some common “waysout” God provides as protection in
temptation?
Faith is encouraging because it brings mercy to my discouraged heart.
Read 2 Corinthians 4:1,7-9
Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. But we have this
treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are
hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not
abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
1. Describe a time how yourfaith in God brought mercy to your discouraged heart.
2. How does Paul’s distinction in these verses (i.e. hard pressed but not crushed, etc)
point to the power and mercy of God?
Faith is encouraging because it gives eternal perspective to life
Read 2 Corinthians 4:13, 15, 16-18
It is written: “I believe; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and
therefore speak, because we know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also
raise us with Jesus … so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause
thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God. Therefore we do not lose heart … So we fix our eyes not
on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
1. What is the importance of “faithwords” forour eternal perspective
2. How does thanksgiving keep us from losing heart?
3. Explain how David’s illustration of a quarterback throwing to the spot instead of to
the player relates to “fixing our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen.”
Reflect
1. Where do I need some encouragement?
2. Who can I encourage this week?