BIBLE STUDY #4
TRIALS

Begin memorizing I Corinthians 10:13
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And 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 you can stand up under it."
I Peter 4:12-13 --
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.

Soon after we are born again the Lord begins to TEST our faith. He often removes the emotions and feelings we have been experiencing to cause us to walk by faith. This does not mean He has deserted you!

In this lesson you should learn: 


A.	What trials are.

B.	How God uses trials.

C.	What we should do when we are in the middle of a trial.
A TRIAL is when God allows temptations, tribulations, (hardship or affliction) or our relationship with other people to TEST OUR FAITH. It is the process He uses to refine us, make our faith stronger and teach us to trust Him more.

  1. Becoming a Christian does not mean we will stop having troubles. How does Jesus describe our lives in this world?
    John 16:33

  2. What should be our attitude when we are having our faith tested by trials or temptations? Why?
    James 1:2-4

  3. What are some of the results of trials?
    II Corinthians 4:17-18

    I Peter 1:6-7

    PATIENCE or PERSEVERANCE means steadfastly enduring adverse circumstances with joy.

    One aspect of trials is enduring hardship and affliction. When the Lord is dealing with us as His children, He will allow tribulations to chasten or discipline us.

    CHASTEN or DISCIPLINE in Greek means to train, educate, instruct, correct, reprove or admonish. It is a positive, loving method of eliminating evil and encouraging good. It is NOT harsh punishment.

  4. When our Father disciplines or chastens us, He is demonstrating our relationship to Him. What is that relationship?
    Hebrews 12:5-8

  5. Why does God discipline or chasten us?
    Hebrews 12:9-10

    HOLINESS means morally perfect or free from sin.

  6. What are the end results when our Father disciplines us?
    Hebrews 12:11

    Another way God tests our faith is by allowing Satan to tempt us. Each time the Lord helps us resist another temptation, we learn to trust Him more. He uses it to build our faith in Him.

    TEMPTATION is when Satan tries to get us to sin. He may tempt us by something we see. He may tempt our flesh or our pride. He has many temptations. It is NOT a sin to be tempted. It is only a sin when we give in to the temptation.

  7. Satan's temptations are strong, but what promise do we have that is stronger?
    I John 4:4

  8. Read I Corinthians 10:13 and answer these questions:
    • Are your temptations ever new, something no one else has gone through before?


    • Will the Lord allow your temptation to be so strong that you will be unable to resist it?


    • What will the Lord provide when you are tempted?


  • When we ask our High Priest, Jesus, for help with our temptations, how can we be sure He understands what we are going through?
    Hebrews 4:15

  • In Matthew 4:1-11 when Jesus was tempted by Satan, what did He use to respond to Satan's temptations?
    Matthew 4:4, 7, 10

  • What results when we give in to temptation?
    James 1:13-15

  • If we find that we have sinned, what should we do about it? How will Jesus respond to us?
    I John 1:9

    II Corinthians 4:17-18 tells us three things about trials: A. They are trivial compared to the sufferings of Christ and the glory we are to have in heaven. B. They are temporary compared to the eternity Jesus has prepared for us. C. They are transforming. They cause us to be conformed to the image of God's Son, Jesus Christ.

    Romans 8:28

  • We see that God uses ALL the events in our lives to shape us and mold us. Whose likeness is He trying to make us into?
  • Romans 8:29

    Jesus told us in John 14:27 that the peace He gives us is not like the peace the rest of the world has. His peace does not depend on favorable circumstances. His peace comes from knowing, that regardless of how things appear, God is still in control and we can trust Him to see us through the rough times. The hardships we suffer are not a surprise to Him. They are part of His plan. By them He prepares us not for a temporary life of comfort, but for an eternity of holiness.

    If you find yourself in a trial, seek guidance from God's Word and from Him in prayer. You might pray something like this: "Lord help me to learn from this, help me to become what you want me to be, help me trust you through everything."
    From memory write your memory verse below.


    • If you have any questions or requests you would like us to pray about,
    please e-mail us.
    Return to Doctrine Page Go to study #5-- Prayer