Last week I gave you a Bible study to help us learn how to think biblically in the midst of times which are troubling. You can find a printable version here.
Here is the same study with the answers filled in.
Biblical Thinking in Troubled Times
Answers and comments
- Commit yourself to thinking about what is _true, good and beautiful________
John 8:32
Phil 4:8
- God is in control of __everything____, not just aware.
Political
Daniel 4:31 Ps 75:6-7 Prov 21:1
Isa 45:1-7 Is 7:17, 18 Isaiah 40:15-17
Nature
Job 38:8-11 Luke 8:25
Matt 10:29
- God works all things for —ALL THINGS!
Our __good_ – Romans 8:28
Rom 5:3 James 1:2
His __glory
Isaiah 48:11 Psalm 46:10 Rev 11:13
According to His _will
Dan 11:25-30 Romans 5:6 Gal 1:15
- Sin______ and the Curse____ are behind much of what happens. After all, nature and the physical world have been cursed. Suffering is part of the consequence of sin.
Even suffering is ordained by God for our good and His glory. The Son of God suffered the curse. We are not better than He is.
Romans 8:18-22
But don’t try to connect specific events to specific sins:
John 9:2 Ecc 9:1-3
Trials and tribulations cannot be avoided. John 16:33
- What to do and not do.
Maintain watchfulness while avoiding “last days” mentality
1 John 2:18 Rom 13:11 2 Peter 3:4 ff
It’s been the last days since the New Testament days so it’s not good to have the Eeyore mentality that “we’re doomed” so let’s just give up. It’s not wise to say the old days were better. See Ecc 7:10
Avoid Cynicism – The view that everything is negative and will have a bad outcome or that God is out to get you and make things bad.
Avoid Fatalism – The belief that all events are predetermined and unalterable
For God this is true, but He asks us to participate by prayer and work to accomplish good in the world.
Pray
For leaders -1 Timothy 2:1, 2; Confess our corporate sins – Daniel 9 Meditate on the Word – Example: Psalm 33