Thursday Thoughts for Parents | "A Theology of Suffering"

This post is based on C.J. Mahaney's sermon, A Theology of Suffering, given on September 3, 2017.

 

This week, CJ started his sermon with a question. Asking what we are afraid of leads to many answers, however the difficulties associated with suffering for the name of Jesus Christ rarely crosses the lips of a believer in our part of the world. But Peter reminds us that the hope of the glory we desire with Christ is not disconnected from the suffering we experience in Christ. In fact, it is the suffering we experience in this life that causes the hope of the glory of God to shine in stunning and radiant contrast. In other words, Christians have no need to fear suffering because Jesus promises to use the suffering we experience for our benefit.

 

Read 1 Pet. 4:12-19

In preparing us for suffering, CJ encouraged us to not be: surprised by our suffering, the cause of our suffering, or ashamed when we suffer for Christ’s name.       

  • Have you experienced suffering for Christ?
  • Did this experience surprise you? Have you ever felt ashamed of Jesus in front of people?
  • Kids, ask your parents why it’s easy to fall into these traps.

Read Acts 4:23-31. When given an opportunity to suffer, what did the disciples ask God for?

Why did CJ say our suffering should reassure us (think Refiner’s fire)?

Kids, ask your parents how Christ’s imminent return encourages them when they suffer. 

 

[post written by Tyson Ziegler]