Blessed Hope: Jesus, the Future, and You Hope Shattered – Hope in Suffering Introduction This series will focus on the hope we have as Christians as we anticipate the glorious return of Christ. To understand the significance of our hope in Christ’s appearing again, we need to understand His ascension and present reign over the world. How is Christ both present and absent? How is Christ both living within us (and we in Him) and yet at the same time bodily present at God’s right hand? This series will seek to answer some of these basic questions and draw out the practical implications this has for our lives today. Three Ways Christians Suffer: 1) Facing Temptations in battling the Flesh 2) Experiencing Tribulation for following Christ 3) Enduring Trials in a fallen-world READ Rom. 8:12-15 READ Gal. 5:16-25 “Suffering” through temptations of the flesh is a sign of ______________ __________. READ Rom. 8:16-17 READ Phil. 1:29-30 READ 1 Peter 3:12-16 “Suffering” through __________________ in following Christ is a sign that we truly belong to Him. READ Rom. 8:18-25 READ Rom. 5:1-5

Blessed Hope: Jesus, the Future, and You Hope Shattered – Hope in Suffering “Suffering” in the trials of life somehow _____________ and __________ our faith and hope in Christ.

How to Face Suffering (Temptations, Tribulations, Trials): 1. Prayer 2. People 3. Promises

Questions for Reflection: 1) How does Paul encourage us to face the temptations of the flesh? How do we “put to death” our sinful desires by the power of the Spirit? What does this look like in your own life?

2) Have you endured tribulations for your faith in Christ? If so, how did you handle them? How did God grow you through that experience?

3) Think of a time when you have gone through a trial in your life. How was your hope in God sustained? How did God get you through it? How was your faith changed by that experience?