Facing Life with Courage

MEMORY VERSE: For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8: 38-39 NIV

What is Courage?

It is the ability to do what frightens one.
Strength in the face of pain or grief.

Other words for Courage: Valor, Bravery, Resolution, Tenacity.

LESSON TEXT:

2 Corinthians 4: 6-9
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

LESSON INTRODUCTION:

A child of God faces trials and discouragements from time to time. There are fatigues, weariness, strains, pressures, troubles, criticisms and a lot of persecutions. Strong Spirit of endurance is a necessity. It must however be emphasized that Good has a purpose in every trial. How has God prepared us for these situations? What lessons can we learn from them? It is our prayer that the Lord will open our hearts to His word today in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

LESSON OUTLINES:

God Dwells Inside
The presence of God leads us to:

• Becoming a new creature, 2 Cor. 5:17 We become a new man; ‘and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness’. Eph 4:24
• Having His divine nature in us, 2 Peter. 1:4
• Possessing abundant and eternal life, John 10:10, John 3:16.
• Possessing the power of God’s Holy Spirit, John 14:23, Romans 8:9, 1 Cor 3:16.

His Power Sustains
As a believer you may be:

• Troubled, but saved from distress. Psa 34:19
• Perplexed, but not despair. 2 Cor.4:8.
• Despair, but the presence and power of God will save you. Rom. 15:4, Col. 1:27.
• Persecuted, but he is not forsaken. Matt. 28:20, Heb. 13:5.
• Cast down, but never destroyed or Knocked out. Eph. 3:16, 2 Tim. 4:18, Deut. 33:27.

CONCLUSION
Be encouraged because the one inside of you is greater than the one in the world. You cannot afford to leave HIM, more so He has promised never to leave you nor forsake you.