Rooting Path · Christian Living · Lesson 6: Hardship · In Hardship
This lesson in one sentence: In hardship we can speak up—to God and to others; the comfort we receive today can comfort others tomorrow.
Timing (about 60 minutes)
- Opening5 min
- Read Together10 min
- Discussion30 min
- This Week10 min
- Pray for One Another5 min
Opening
In the past week, has anything felt really hard? (You can just say ‘yes’ or ‘no’.)
Read Together
Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope doesn’t disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. For while we were yet weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans 5:3-6 · WEB
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Psalm 46:1 · WEB
Discussion
- “we also rejoice in our sufferings” (Romans 5:3-6)—does this comfort you, or is it a bit hard to accept? Why?
- “suffering produces perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope” (Romans 5:3-6)—looking back, which hard time later ‘produced perseverance’ in you?
- “Call on me in the day of trouble” (Psalm 50:15)—in hard times, is your usual response to speak up or to hide?
- In hard times, how do you most want others to be with you? What do you least want to hear?
- “How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever?”—have you ever spoken to God like this? Do you think it is all right to?
This Week
Tell someone you trust, concretely, about one difficulty you are going through, and ask them to pray for you. If you are not in difficulty right now, go and check on someone who is.
Each person decides: whom they will tell about a difficulty this week; or which person in difficulty they will go and check on.
Closing
The leader prays for those in the group who are going through hardship, without naming them; then pray for each other in pairs.
Tips for the leader
- This lesson is the one most likely to meet someone in the middle of hardship. Listen first; don’t rush to explain; don’t say things like ‘this is God’s good purpose’ or ‘you should be more thankful’.
- ‘Rejoicing’ does not mean pretending to be happy; if someone cries, stay with them, and don’t hurry them to feel better.
- If someone reveals thoughts of harming themselves, stay with them one-to-one right after the meeting, and contact local emergency help (Canada and the United States 911 / suicide and crisis lifeline 988; mainland China 110 / 120 / psychological support hotline 12356; Hong Kong 999; Taiwan 110, 119 / mental health support line 1925) or someone they trust. This is not something to discuss in the group.
General principles for leaders
- The leader is not a teacher but someone who walks alongside everyone.
- Give everyone a chance to speak; with someone who talks a lot, you can gently say, ‘Let’s also hear from friends who haven’t spoken yet.’
- Don’t rush to give answers. If someone is silent, wait a few more seconds.
- For a question you can’t answer, you can say, ‘I don’t know either; let’s look it up together,’ and note it down for next time.
- What is said in the group stays in the group.
- At the opening, the leader can give their own answer first, showing that it can be simple and honest.