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We invite any and all to join us in this study. You can go at your own pace. The follow up videos will be pre-recorded and posted for viewing at your convenience. We will start today with the following verses and a few questions to consider.

Lesson 1 (Part A) – Can You Trust God?

1. Do Christians struggle more with questions and uncertainties in the midst of our present adversities than nonbelievers? It will help to make a list of some of your questions.
2. Proverbs 27:1 – What should our perspective on the future be?
3. What do the following verses teach us about trusting God? Psalm 32:10, Proverbs 3:5, John 14:1
4. What is the differences between trusting God and obeying Him? Which is more difficult and why?

Click here to download lesson 1 questions.

Lesson 1 (Part B) – Can You Trust God?

1. Psalm 78:1-22
    a. What was the relationship between trust and obedience for the Israelites?
    b. How did their trust or lack of trust affect their attitudes? What were those attitudes?
    c. What was God’s response to those attitudes and their level of trust?
    d. Here is the hard one: What is your attitude like right now? Can you trace if back through to questions about obedience and trust?

2. Hebrews 11:6 – How does God view our present attitudes?
3. Philippians 2:14 – What kind of attitude does God want us to avoid? Why?
4. Isaiah 55:9 – Why can we trust God when we don’t know what He is up to?
5. Now let’s take a step closer to the heart of our trust. What do these verses teach us about that more deeper issue at the root of our trust?
    a. Psalm 9:10
    b. Philippians 3:8-11

Click here to download lesson 1 questions.

Lesson 2 – Is God in Control?

1. What is your understanding of God’s sovereignty?

2. What is your understanding of God’s providence?

3. There are two over-arching purposes of God’s providence: God’s glory and our good. Are these two purposes ever at odds or opposite of each other?

4. Can you think of a time in your life when it appeared as if God’s will and your good were in conflict with each other?

5. What do these verses say about God’s providence?

1. Psalm 147:8-9
2. Acts 17:24-28
3. 2 Corinthians 9:10

6. What specific evidence of God’s sustaining presence in the universe is most dramatic to you?

7. Is God’s providence limited to the rules of nature and science?

8. Write down Matthew 10:29-31 in your own words.

9. What evidence do you see right now that God is actively working in your life in the midst of this crisis?

10. What do the following verses say about another force at work in our lives?

1. Job 1:12
2. Luke 22:31

11. Who ultimately determines the actions in your life according to Proverbs 16:9, 19:21, and James 4:13-15?

12. It’s easy to explain God’s providence when it appears good to us. But how do you explain God’s providence when it appears bad and even evil to us? When someone else is hurting from a very bad tragedy, what you should you do?

Click here to download lesson 2 questions.

Lesson 4 – God’s Sovereignty Over Government

1. Government officials during Jesus’ life made some wrong decisions. Fill out the chart of those officials and what prophesies were fulfilled:

Name of Ruler / Prophesy Fulfilled
Matthew 2:13-16 / Hosea 11:1
Matthew 2:21-23 / Isaiah 9:1
Luke 2:1-4 / Micah 5:2
Acts 4:27-28 / Isaiah 53:3-6

So who was ultimately in charge over these events?

2. What if our federal government decided that for this year’s census, we all had to go to our great-grandparent’s home city to be counted there. How would you respond to that? What suspicions would you have?

3. What do these verses each teach us about government:

a. Romans 13:1-7
b. Daniel 4:17
c. Isaiah 40:23-24
d. Proverbs 16:33
e. Proverbs 21:31
f. 1 Timothy 2:1-4

4. When we look at what is going on right now in our country and how our government is dealing with it, there are certainly a lot of questions, suspicions, and mistrust about what is the right thing to do and when. In the eyes of many the government seems out of control. But is it really? Do you really believe that God is in control of this at this present time? And if so, what do you see Him doing right now? And what might He possibly be up to that we have not yet seen?

5. Do you think that God’s primary concern is this virus? Or our government? Or the church? Or you? What may He be up to in each of these?

Click here to download lesson 4 questions.

Lesson 5 – God’s Sovereignty Over Nature

1. Job 37:1-13. Summarize these verses in your own words about what God’s role in nature is.

2. Explain the contrast found in verse 13.

3. Amos 4:7-9. What was God’s purpose in directing nature?

4. What is your usual attitude about weather? Do you complain about it or thank God for it? When you complain about the weather, do you realize who you are complaining to?

5. What is God taking responsibility for in Exodus 4:11 and Isaiah 45:7?

6. John 9:1-3. What it the reason for this man’s blindness?

7. Natural events include earthquakes, drought, floods, blindness, diseases and even viruses. These often cause us to ask questions of God. Is it OK to ask God these questions? Is it OK to express your anger or anxieties about these?

8. How does the fact that God is ultimately in control over this virus we now fear help you? In what ways does this fact raise questions about God’s purposes?

Click here to download lesson 5 questions.

Lesson 6 (Part A) – God’s Sovereignty and Our Responsibility to Pray

1. Nehemiah 4:6-9. What two things did the Israelites do?

2. Philippians 4:6-7

1. What does God’s sovereignty have to do with this peace?
2. Right now, we are all anxious. What is our first responsibility to receive this peace?
3. How should God’s sovereignty affect how and what we pray in this time?
4. How is the prayer of trust different from a prayer of anxiety?

3. Acts 4:23-31

1. What did the chief priests say to Peter and John?
2. What two things did their prayer profess about God?
3. What did they ask God to do with themselves?
4. Describe the relationship of God’s sovereignty and their responsibility.

Click here to download lesson 6 (part A) questions.

Lesson 6 (Part B) – God’s Sovereignty and Our Responsibility to Act

1. Acts 27:13-44

1. Paul had previously warned the sailors to not set out as winter was close and the winds had already blown them off course. They neglected Paul’s wisdom and the obvious signs of nature (God is sovereign over nature). In verse 13, “they got what they wanted.” Who do they think is sovereign on this trip?
2. In verses 14-20 and following: Who’s sovereign now? What words indicate that they were no longer in charge of these events?
3. Who will make sure Paul goes to trial before Caesar? (Vs. 24)
4. How did Paul’s trust in God lead him to action during a terrible storm?
5. How did Paul’s trust in God affect the actions of the other men?
6. List the actions they took to survive.
7. In verses 42-43, whose plan is sovereign?
8. We are in a huge storm right now. Can God cause us to trust Him all the way through or can He just make it stop? Which would be more beneficial?

2. Psalm 127:1

1. What are you currently building? (House, family, relationship, faith)
2. How is God involved in your building project?
3. What are you protecting right now? (Investments, job, family, reputation)
4. When you build, who is building? When you guard, who is guarding?
5. Which prayer more closely reflects Psalm 127:1
1. Father, help me build my business? 2. Father, use me to build your business?
6. Be honest, do you mostly pray for God to join in your projects or that He would allow you to join in His projects?

Click here to download lesson 6 (part B) questions.

Lesson 7 – God’s Wisdom

1. Psalm 145:5, Jeremiah 10:12, and Romans 11:33-34 – What do these verses say about God’s wisdom and ours?

2. Romans 11:36, 1 Corinthians 10:31 – What is the ultimate purpose of all things?

3. How does this change your questions about what is currently going on?

4. Psalm 119:71 – Can adversity ever be good or even an answer to prayer?

5. Romans 8:28-29 – What is God’s goal to bring glory through you?

6. Psalm 131, Job 42:1-6 – When you don’t understand God’s wisdom, how should you respond? How have you been lately?

7. 2 Samuel 24:10-14 – Why was Daniel more afraid of adversity by man than by God directly?

8. Proverbs 21:30, Romans 8:31 – How does God deal with us?

Click here to download lesson 7 questions.

Lesson 8 (Part A) – God’s Love

1. What truths do the following verses teach us about God’s love for you?

• Psalm 103:11
• Isaiah 54:10
• Zephaniah 3:17
• Romans 8:38-39

2. Ezekiel 18:32, 33:11, 2 Peter 3:9 – Does God enjoy giving punishment?

3. Lamentations 3:32-33 – How does God respond to our suffering in discipline?

4. 1 John 4:9-10 – How can this truth help you when you suffer affliction in your life?

5. Romans 5:6-8 – Does God love you when His discipline is being used to convict you of a grievous sin?

6. Right now while we are suffering, there are many who question God’s love to allow this suffering. Are you wondering that too? Is that a feeling or a fact? Can our feelings be different from the truth? Does God really love you right now?

7. Christians have a very special, miraculous, and profound relationship with Jesus Christ. What words or phrases do the following verses use to describe your relationship with Christ?

• Ephesians 1:3-6
• John 15:1-8
• Colossians 1:27, 2:6, 13; 3:1-4, 12

Click here to download lesson 8 (part A) questions.

Lesson 8 (Part B) – God’s Love

1. Back to John 15:1-8. What does pruning have to do with love?

2. Lamentations 3:17:25

• What feelings are expressed in verses 17-20?
• What truths overcame those feelings in verses 21-25?
• What feelings have you been experiencing?
• What truths can you use to manage those feelings?

3. Hebrews 12:5-11

• Why does God discipline us?
• Is it possible that He is disciplining us now? (nation, gov’t, church, your neighbors, or your pastor, or you)
• What lessons could we be learning now?
• Do you sense God’s love during this of trial?

4. Summarize these promises of God:

• Psalm 32:10
• Isaiah 41:10 and 13
• Isaiah 43:2-3

5. Psalm 13

• Do King David’s questions seem familiar to you now?
• What 3 truths does he end the Psalm with?
• What barriers might keep you from experiencing God’s love in this time of trial?
• What can you begin to do to remove that barrier?

Click here to download lesson 8 (part B) questions.

Lesson 9 – God’s Precious Treasure

1. What truth is being taught about you in these verses?

• Job 10:8-11
• Psalm 119:73
• Psalm 139:13-14

2. In what ways do you struggle with who you are? (appearance, abilities, personality, occupation…)

3. We have looked at these verses before, but how can they help you accept the way God made you?

• Exodus 4:11
• John 9:1-3
• 1 Corinthians 4:7

4. Restate these verses in your own words as they apply to you.

• Job 14:5
• Psalm 31:15
• Psalm 139:16
• Acts 17:26

5. Jeremiah 29:11 – How does this verse apply to the way God has made you?

6. 1 Corinthians 7:21 – How does this verse apply to your occupation or your place in life?

7. God made you who you are and placed where you are for a purpose.

• How do you participate in that purpose?
• What decisions have you made that have brought you to this point in your life?
• Knowing and trusting His purpose how then should you make decisions as you are faced with them?
• What practical things can you do to receive God’s leading in making decisions for your life?

8. Acts 16:6-10

• God leads us forward, but what else does He do?
• Have you ever experienced God restraining you?
• Does He always make it this clear?
• When it is not clear, should we always fear that we may have made a wrong decision?

9. Isaiah 43:1 and 4

• How does God view you right now? (vs. 4)
• What three things does He base this on? (vs. 1)
• How does your view of you right now compare with His?
• Can your view be adjusted today?
• How would that change have to do with trusting God?

Click here to download lesson 9 questions.

Lesson 10 (Part A) – Growing Through Adversity

1. Galatians 5:22-23 – List the “Fruits of the Spirit” then after each one describe how adversity encourages each one.

2. Which of these fruits do you see beginning to grow during this present adversity?

3. How will that growth continue after this is all over?

4. Romans 5:3-5 and James 1:2-4 – What should be our attitude during this adversity?

5. Hebrews 12:2 – How did Jesus face the most difficult adversity to ever be faced?

6. How can you develop that same attitude right now in our time of trial?

Click here to download lesson 10 (part A) questions.

Lesson 10 (Part B) – Growing Through Adversity

1. Philippians 1:6 – What does this verse say about spiritual growth?

2. Are you convinced yet that before our present trial is over you will be changed?

3. Does that frighten you or cause you to be excited and expectant? Why or why not?

4. Job 36:21 – There are two kinds of responses that lead us in two different directions. What are those two responses and how would you describe the two directions that they lead?

5. Back to John 15:2, what is the purpose of God’s pruning in our present adversity?

6. Hebrews 12:10 – What is the connection between adversity and holiness?

7. 2 Corinthians 1:8-9; 12:10 – What else can God achieve in you?

8. Hebrews 12:1 – How and what is God causing you to throw off to run the race?

9. Are you excited yet and expectant of what God has planned for you and His church after this is all over? Or at least curious? Spend some time pondering that today as you reread Philippians 1:6.

Click here to download lesson 10 (part B) questions.

Lesson 11 (Part A) – Choosing to Trust God

1. Psalm 56:1-4 and 1 Samuel 21:10-15 (setting of Psalm 56)

• What emotion was David experiencing?
• How much trust was David showing in 1 Samuel 21:13? Why?
• When David chose to trust God how did his feelings change? (Psalm 56:3-4)

2. We have been enduring longer than we first thought.

• How have your emotions changed?
• How have your emotions changed as you have been going through this Bible study?
• What truths have made those changes?
• Have you yet made a conscious decision to accept this adversity and trust God?
• How has that changed your emotions?
• Why is God worthy of your wholehearted trust? List as many as you can.
• Can you trust in yourself in the same way?

Click here to download lesson 11 (part A) questions.

Lesson 11 (Part B) – Choosing to Trust God

1. Job 23:8-10

• What is Job’s perception?
• What is God’s perception?
• Why the difference?
• Is it possible that your perception right now may not be accurate?
• Have you ever felt during this difficult time that you could not see God’s presence?
• Does that perception agree with what God says to you in Hebrews 13:5b?
• What are some of those perceptions you feel right now?
• Which ones are accurate and which ones are not?

2. What kinds of actions are suggested in these verses?

• Hebrews 13:5a
• 1 Peter 5:7
• Proverbs 18:10-11

3. In Proverbs 18:10-11, what is the difference between what is real and what is imaginary?

4. Psalm 50:15 – Who is satisfied when we call upon God in times of trouble?

Click here to download lesson 11 (part B) questions.

Lesson 12 (Part A) – Our Response

1. Luke 17:11-19 – What two human responses are given to God?

2. Acts 17:24-25 and 1 Corinthians 4:7:

• Why should we be thankful according to these verses?
• While we are in a time of trial, do you find yourself more thankful or less thankful? Why or why not?
• Make a list of reasons for being thankful at this time.
• What are a few specific things you can be thankful for every morning when you wake up? Practice giving thanks in prayer for these things every morning.

3. Romans 8:28 – When is God working for you good?

4. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – How does this verse relate to Romans 8:28 above?

Click here to download lesson 12 (part A) questions.

Lesson 12 (Part B) – Our Response

1. Job 1:13-21 – What was Job’s initial response to great affliction?

2. What do you require to be able and ready for worship?

3. Are you ready and able to worship God more now in this crisis or less?

4. 2 Corinthians 12:7 – Why was Paul given a thorn of affliction?

5. What kind of pride could God be rooting out in our time of affliction now?

6. What will God give to those who are humble? Is He giving this to you now?

7. If God is accomplishing something good in our adversity, is it right to pray that He will take it away?

8. Isaiah 42:8 – What is the top priority in both times of great joy and in affliction?

9. In his book Trusting God, Jerry Bridges lists 6 kinds of responses: thanksgiving, worship, humility, forgiveness, prayer, and a heart seeking God’s glory. Which of these are you responding with right now? Which do you need help with? How will you seek change for your present attitudes?

Click here to download lesson 12 (part B) questions.