Transformative Trials: Forming Christ Through Life's Journey
Summary
In reflecting on the journey of life and ministry, it's clear that our experiences, both good and bad, are integral to the formation of Christ within us. My wife and I have been deeply involved in missions, particularly in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, where we've witnessed the transformative power of relationship-based discipleship. In Bangladesh, a young pastor named EA shared how shifting from a confrontational approach to one of building relationships led to the growth of new disciples. This underscores the belief that true discipleship is relational, not programmatic.
Our lives are not merely a series of events to be weighed on a scale of good versus bad. Instead, they are a tapestry through which Christ is being formed in us. This formation is often most profound in times of suffering and challenge. Like David, who was anointed to be king but faced years of hardship before ascending the throne, we too must endure trials as part of our spiritual development. These trials are not punishments but opportunities for growth and transformation.
The Apostle Paul, in Galatians 4:19, speaks of laboring until Christ is fully formed in us. This is the essence of our journey. It's not about the balance of good and bad events but about allowing these experiences to shape us into the likeness of Christ. We often ask "why" when faced with difficulties, but the more pertinent question is "how" God is using these circumstances to form Christ in us.
Faith is not the absence of struggle but the perseverance through it. Hebrews 11 reminds us that the heroes of faith endured great trials, yet their faith was counted as righteousness. Our faith is similarly forged in the crucible of life's challenges. We must not give up, even when the journey is hard. Instead, we should embrace the process, knowing that God is at work within us, shaping us for His purposes.
Key Takeaways:
- Discipleship thrives in relationships, not programs. Building genuine connections allows for the true formation of Christ in others, as seen in the transformation of communities in Bangladesh. [01:20:44]
- Life's journey is not about balancing good and bad events but about Christ being formed in us through all experiences. This perspective shifts our focus from circumstances to spiritual growth. [01:28:47]
- Asking "why" in times of trouble is natural, but the more fruitful question is "how" God is using these moments to shape us into His likeness. This mindset fosters resilience and faith. [01:29:59]
- Faith is demonstrated by perseverance through trials, not by the absence of them. The heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 exemplify this truth, showing that enduring faith is what pleases God. [01:38:12]
- Suffering is a catalyst for spiritual growth, much like the cross was for Jesus. Embracing our struggles as part of God's refining process leads to deeper faith and understanding of His purposes. [01:43:49]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:18:05] - Mission Work in Sri Lanka and Bangladesh
- [01:19:16] - The Power of Relationship-Based Discipleship
- [01:21:27] - Transformation Stories from Bangladesh
- [01:22:46] - Spectacles for Sri Lanka
- [01:25:14] - Reflecting on 50 Years of Ministry
- [01:27:28] - Galatians 4:19 and Life's Purpose
- [01:29:59] - The Right Questions in Times of Trouble
- [01:32:33] - David's Journey to Kingship
- [01:34:14] - Rejoicing in Trials
- [01:36:22] - Personal Trials and God's Formation
- [01:38:12] - Faith Through Perseverance
- [01:40:28] - Caring for Family in Difficult Times
- [01:43:49] - Suffering and Spiritual Growth
- [01:46:06] - Encouragement to Stay the Course
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Galatians 4:19 (The Passion Translation) - "You are my dear children, but I agonize in spiritual labor pains once again until the Anointed One will be fully formed in your hearts."
2. Hebrews 11 (Selected Verses) - The chapter on the heroes of faith and their perseverance through trials.
3. 1 Samuel 22:3 - David's journey and his reliance on God during difficult times.
Observation Questions:
1. What was the key change in Pastor EA's approach to discipleship in Bangladesh, and what were the results? [01:20:30]
2. How does the sermon describe the process of Christ being formed in us through life's experiences? [01:28:47]
3. What examples from the sermon illustrate the idea that faith is demonstrated by perseverance through trials? [01:38:12]
4. How did David's journey to kingship reflect the theme of enduring trials for spiritual growth? [01:34:14]
Interpretation Questions:
1. In what ways does Galatians 4:19 suggest that spiritual growth is a process that involves struggle and perseverance? How does this align with the sermon’s message? [01:27:28]
2. How does the story of David in 1 Samuel 22:3 illustrate the importance of seeking God's purpose during difficult times? [01:40:28]
3. What does Hebrews 11 teach us about the nature of faith, and how does this relate to the sermon’s emphasis on enduring faith? [01:38:12]
4. How can the shift from asking "why" to "how" during trials change a believer's perspective on suffering and spiritual growth? [01:29:59]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you respond, and how might you approach it differently by asking "how" God is using it to form Christ in you? [01:29:59]
2. Identify a relationship in your life where you can apply the principle of relationship-based discipleship. What steps can you take to build a genuine connection with that person? [01:20:44]
3. Consider a time when you felt like giving up during a trial. What helped you persevere, and how can you apply that lesson to current or future challenges? [01:38:12]
4. How can you support someone in your life who is currently going through a difficult season, helping them see it as an opportunity for spiritual growth? [01:40:28]
5. Think about an area in your life where you feel God is calling you to grow. What specific actions can you take this week to align with that calling? [01:27:28]
6. How can you cultivate a mindset that views suffering as a catalyst for spiritual growth, similar to the way the cross was for Jesus? [01:43:49]
7. Reflect on the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11. Which story resonates with you the most, and how can it inspire you to persevere in your own faith journey? [01:38:12]
Devotional
Day 1: Discipleship Flourishes in Genuine Relationships
Building genuine relationships is the cornerstone of effective discipleship. In Bangladesh, a young pastor named EA discovered that shifting from a confrontational approach to one focused on building relationships led to the growth of new disciples. This transformation highlights the power of relational discipleship, where connections are prioritized over programs. True discipleship is not about following a set of rules or attending events; it's about investing in people, understanding their journeys, and walking alongside them in faith. This approach allows for the authentic formation of Christ in others, as seen in the transformation of communities in Bangladesh. [01:20:44]
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life can you invest in more deeply this week to foster a genuine relationship that encourages spiritual growth?
Day 2: Life's Journey as a Tapestry of Christ's Formation
Life is not a simple balance of good and bad events; it is a complex tapestry through which Christ is being formed in us. This perspective shifts our focus from merely evaluating circumstances to understanding how each experience contributes to our spiritual growth. Like David, who faced years of hardship before becoming king, we must endure trials as part of our spiritual development. These challenges are not punishments but opportunities for growth and transformation, allowing us to become more like Christ. [01:28:47]
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)
Reflection: How can you view a current challenge in your life as an opportunity for Christ to be formed in you?
Day 3: Asking "How" Instead of "Why" in Times of Trouble
When faced with difficulties, it's natural to ask "why," but a more fruitful question is "how" God is using these moments to shape us into His likeness. This mindset fosters resilience and faith, helping us to see beyond the immediate pain and recognize the divine purpose in our struggles. By focusing on "how," we open ourselves to the transformative work of God, allowing Him to mold us into the image of Christ. This shift in perspective encourages us to embrace challenges as part of our spiritual journey. [01:29:59]
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: What is one specific way you can shift your perspective from "why" to "how" in a current struggle you are facing?
Day 4: Faith Through Perseverance
Faith is not demonstrated by the absence of struggle but by perseverance through it. The heroes of faith in Hebrews 11 endured great trials, yet their faith was counted as righteousness. Our faith is similarly forged in the crucible of life's challenges. We must not give up, even when the journey is hard. Instead, we should embrace the process, knowing that God is at work within us, shaping us for His purposes. This enduring faith is what pleases God and leads to spiritual maturity. [01:38:12]
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." (Hebrews 12:1, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to persevere in faith, and how can you take a step towards endurance today?
Day 5: Suffering as a Catalyst for Spiritual Growth
Suffering is a catalyst for spiritual growth, much like the cross was for Jesus. Embracing our struggles as part of God's refining process leads to deeper faith and understanding of His purposes. These trials are not meant to break us but to build us up, shaping us into the likeness of Christ. By viewing suffering through this lens, we can find meaning and purpose in our pain, trusting that God is using it for our ultimate good and His glory. [01:43:49]
"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:6-7, ESV)
Reflection: How can you embrace a current or past suffering as a part of God's refining process in your life?
Quotes
"you see I believe that discipleship happens through relationship not through programs not through nice buildings they're all necessary but it happens through relationship most of the good stuff you learned you learned off a person not a book and so I began to teach this stuff to them" [01:20:40]
"and I thought that is really what our life's purpose is all about the journey we have in life the good events the bad events the highs the lows is all about Christ being formed in our hearts you know I think some of us we think about our uh our particular life and we think about the events" [01:27:52]
"when bad things happen we asked the why question why is this happening to me anyone ever asked that question the rest of you are liars we've all asked that question you know I've had bad things happen in my life some of you that know us know that you know when our eldest son was in his early 20s" [01:29:35]
"it's not about whether the good outweighs the bad it's all about whether we allow Christ to be formed in us you know after all said and done you know I need to become more like Jesus as I get older and older you've heard me say probably before I don't want to become a cranky old man" [01:31:56]
"the Journey of life is meant to take us from Caterpillar to Butterfly it's meant to take us from something that's pretty rough and ready and unformed into something that is beautiful and a great expression of God himself so God is in the process of changing you so we all have suffering" [01:33:50]
"so in many ways we should Rejoice if we're in trouble because God is actually forming something in us and getting us ready for the call that he's placed upon our lives so he's anointed to be king but just had lots of trouble getting to the throne doing all sorts of stuff" [01:34:52]
"so if you want to be a hero of Faith just hang in there just hang in there and let God form Christ in you because that's what he does so life formation is never smooth and I think you know we learn more when we're in pain think about that for a moment do you ever learn anything when things are going good" [01:38:42]
"we should suspect when we look at the Journey of Jesus that the purposes of God would somehow be born through suffering think of the cross God's purpose for us came through incredible suffering for Jesus I think it set the bar that you know good things you know great spiritual Revelations" [01:43:15]
"so you know don't be afraid of the struggle because the joy comes after The Struggle and for us it's when the purpose of God is being revealed in our lives I want to finish this message just by having us focus on a couple of questions number one if you're here today are you asking the why question" [01:45:00]
"so stay on the journey would you stand with me while I" [01:48:04]
"so don't measure your life by the events good or bad you know somehow sometime I think when we become a Believer we people tell us lies they say come to Christ and everything will be fantastic did you get that lie it's not the truth come to Jesus and you be on a journey with a fantastic person" [01:36:25]
"so God is teaching you faith and the third thing I would say to you don't give up the Journey Don't if you're thinking about it don't give up the journey you know the sad thing I do at my time of life is look back and notice all the people that were on the journey as friends years ago who are no longer on the journey" [01:46:44]
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