Note: This is the introductory lesson for the online Bible study “Unshakeable Faith.” You are welcome to join in! Would also love for you to share the study on FB or Twitter.
This study is an a condensed version of the traditionally published Bible study, “Unshakeable Faith: 8 Traits for Rock Solid Living.”
Download a PDF version of the lesson or read it below. Be sure and check out the question for group interaction at the bottom of the blog!
Should Christians experience hard times?
Some well-known Christian leaders teach what is known as “prosperity Gospel.” This is the belief that God rewards obedience with wealth, health, and happiness. Scot McKnight, in an article on beliefnet.com defines it this way:
“The prosperity gospel (or the health and wealth gospel) teaches that God desires the material, spiritual, and physical prosperity of his people. To become prosperous, all one has to do is believe, receive, and act upon God’s promises.” (Read McKnight’s entire article here.)
Well, that’s all well and good until some faithful Christian encounters a trial or difficulty. What do we do with the prosperity gospel then?
- What have you been taught about the presence of trials in a Christian’s life?
Many Christian women I love and admire have faced or are facing significant trials like life-threatening illness, divorce, death of a child, and financial hardship. These kinds of situations would knock many people flat. But these women are standing firm on their faith in God. They’ve discovered that God works in the middle of it all for His glory.
Of course, the biggest problem with the teachings of the prosperity gospel is found in the teachings of the Bible.
2. Read the following passages and record what the Bible does teach about trials in the lives of believers.
a. John 16:33 –
b. John 15:18-20 –
c. 2 Timothy 3:12 –
d. James 1:2 –
e. 1 Peter 1:6 –
3. Based on these Scriptures, what conclusions can you draw about trials in believers’ lives?
Scripture makes it clear that believers will face trials and difficulties. However, as we continue to faithfully follow God those trials are never wasted. He uses them to refine our faith, shape our character, work out His purposes, and bring glory to Himself. And yes, God does care about every aspect of our physical well-being. But He cares even more about our eternal well-being.
Are you ready for the inevitable trials of life? You can have a faith that will stand rock-solid through whatever comes your way. Over the next eight weeks we will discover how God grew Peter’s faith from shaky to unshakeable. Let’s take a brief look at this growth.
4. Read Mark 14:27-31. How did Peter think he would respond when hard times came?
5. Read Mark 14:50; 66-72. How did Peter actually respond when Jesus was arrested and tried?
6. Read Acts 4:13-20. Peter and John had been arrested for healing a crippled beggar in Jesus’ name. How did they respond to the command of the Jewish rulers?
7. What kind of change do you see in Peter?
Peter went on to endure beatings, persecution, and other imprisonments because of his faith in Jesus. History and church tradition also reveal that Peter was martyred for his faith in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero. The brash, impetuous Peter, who once denied Jesus to a servant girl, willingly gave his life rather than ever deny Him again.
We will probably never be asked to deny Christ or die. But, every trial and difficulty of life will threaten to shake our faith. I’m excited to spend the next 8 weeks with you exploring the faith traits God instilled in Peter. Our goal for this study is to allow God to do in our lives what He did in Peter’s. Are you ready?
Let’s talk/Group discussion (feel free to share in the comment section): What trials and difficulties have you encountered that have threatened to shake your faith in Christ? Can you see how God was working in them?
For more information on the prosperity gospel, watch this video by John Piper .
Note about the study: We will be studying deep truths of God, but the study will not be extremely time intensive. My goal is for you to be able to complete the reading and questions each week in about 15 minutes. So, even if you are participating in another study you can join in! Also, although no other material is required, the Bible study Unshakeable Faith: 8 Traits for Rock-Solid Living, would be great companion material. Get it now from Amazon.
I struggle tremendously with the “prosperity gospel” as an author, speaker and business owner I have often looked for help with my business and often found leadership / consultants, coaches that tell me that God wants to give me more money so I can change more lives. I”m not sure I believe that still to this day I have a red flag that questions whether or not that is prosperity gospel and I run from prosperity gospel. Then on the other hand I wonder is life ONLY about suffering for Christ are we not suppose to enjoy life at all?
Where is the balance? Or is there balance between the two?
I had it with prosperity gospel —– false teachers read 1st Timothy and 2 Peter. We believe God’s Word. The Bible is about God – not about us. Matthew 16:33 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you”
There is a danger of being pulled into following man.
Alyssa, these are tough questions without pat answers. Here’s what I know from Scripture:
– God may choose to financially bless you so you can bless others. In 2 Corinthians, chapters 8-9, Paul is encouraging the members to collect a donation for the Macedonian church. In 9:11 he tells them that God will bless them so they can give. However, we must also consider the Christians in Macedonia who were in great financial need. God does not give a blanket promise of wealth to His people. So, yes God may choose to give you more money to bless others – or He may choose to create a need in your life that He wants to us others to fill.
– One of the problems with the prosperity gospel is that it only considers a part of Scripture, namely the verses that says God will materially bless His people. But it fails to consider other passages like the ones our lesson covered this morning. The same God who sometimes blesses materially also sometimes chooses to take away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Alyssa, I hope that helped even a little!
I recently had a lengthy discussion with another author friend of mine who was told that if she is a Christian, she should not be selling her books, but giving them away. The idea was that if we are working in ministry, (writing Christian novels in this case) our goal should not be to profit at all monetarily. I have real problems with that.
Certainly if we are “called to write”, we will write regardless of making a profit, however to expect Christians to work without pay for their efforts is ludicrous. Still many Christian men and women struggle with the idea of prospering from an enterprise that may be deemed “ministry”.
A very Godly wealthy man I know said that his “gift” is in making money. God has gifted him with administrative and financial skills where he makes a lot of money not only for himself but for others. He gives over 50% of what he makes personally to his church and other Christian charities and mission work.
God does not expect Christians to go about their lives with no money. Jesus had financial “advisors” throughout his ministry. Many wealthy “investors” like Susanna and Joanna (Luke 8:3b)supported his ministry. His “treasurer” (Judas) even stole from Him! This indicates that there was enough money in the “treasury” so that when money went missing, no one seemed to notice. (Although I’m pretty sure Jesus knew about Judas’ thievery:)
The thing was Jesus was never concerned about money. He never worried whether or not He had money. He went about His business and knew that His Heavenly Father would provide for all His needs. This is not a “Prosperity Gospel” but a keen awareness that His Father was in control of all His circumstances.
I’ve learned that as long as I am in control, I will never be satisfied, but if God is in control I am MORE than satisfied!
Lynn, that you for sharing that with us. And thanks for the great biblical examples!
Alyssa, I totally understand! It is so frustrating–I want to be faithful, and I don’t want to obsess about money, but I’m sinking farther and farther into poverty every day. I want to work, I need to work–and yet here I am.
I don’t know where the balance is either, because when I can’t provide the things my kids need (clothes, shoes, food) I am absolutely miserable.
Thanks for this study!
Rori, I’m so sorry to hear you are currently going through such a difficult trial. As we studied today, it is not a surprise to God. He knows – and told us to expect – times of trouble. There will still be pain as you meet the challenge God has allowed into your life, but He promises to be with you to give comfort and provide for your needs. Keep striving. Stand firm on what you know is true. Lean on God and His presence.
A divorce threatened to shake my faith. However, nothing can separate us from the love of Christ and all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose!
Vickie, thank for that testimony of God’s grace in the midst of trial!
Since childhood I have looked to God in difficult times. That’s when I truly cling to him. It seems that when things are going well that I sometimes seem farther away from God. So I believe He uses trials and troubles to turn my focus once again to Him. My heart goes out to you ladies who are in the middle of such difficult situations. Thank you for sharing Scripture we can use as “lifelines” to help us remember God’s promises.
Ronda, you are so right! Recently I read a prayer of Agur in Proverbs. He recognized that it is easy to not feel a need for God when times are good. Here is his prayer:
Give me neither poverty or riches! Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich I may deny you and say, “Who is the LORD?” And if I am too poor, I may steal and thus insult God’s holy name. Proverbs 30:8b-9, NLT
I think in the pursuit of the easy life, the wealth, the “stuff” people get motivated to use God to get the stuff. God wants to bless His children and take care of them but our motives are so often not pure. He want’s us to seek Him first, most, more than any ‘thing’. God’s desire is always to bless us. “If we being human know how to give good gifts to our children how much more does our Heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask Him.”
Our motives are so often selfish though. Plenty of verses talk about it. “You cannot serve God and money” “the LOVE of money is the root of evil” but like every Good father, God wants to bless us. Like the story you use in the study Kathy, Luke 5:1-11, Peter did not have any thing in his nets. Jesus told him to go back out and fish again. Peter complained but obeyed. Peter’s obedience was not motivated by what he would get and yet his nets almost broke with the fish he caught.
It’s not about the stuff, if we have or do not, it’s about our undivided devotion to Him. If we keep God first and love Him most there is nothing He can give us or remove from our lives that will shake our faith in Him and His love for us.
Martha, beautifully said! Thank you for reminding us of God’s desire to bless His children and for challenging us to check our motives. Sometimes God’s blessings – and He alone knows what is the best for us – is not always what we think it will look like!
Hello, this is really exciting. I understand the basics But I want to get more in depth with the bible and everything Because I’m going on missions and I really wanna know more and bring more people to know the truth of our wonderful God! and this Website is a blessing, Thank you so much. I will be doing this Plan to Learn and many others and hopefully I will have my own plans.! God Bless You.