DEEPER LIFE BIBLE CHURCH, LOCATION / REGION SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES Year of Full Restoration 18 JUNE, 2017

LESSON 647: COMFORT FOR SUFFERING BELIEVERS MEMORY VERSE: “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 TEXT: 2 Corinthians 1:1-24

INTRODUCTION From our previous study we learn to: Show practical love to the needy brethren. Plan and depend on the Spirit of God for direction in evangelistic outreaches. Continue God’s work in the face of opposition. Remain watchful, steadfast, spiritually strength and courageous. In our study today, the Apostle re-affirm his calling and ministry Paul encourages the saints against sufferings, by the comforts and deliverances which God had given him as in all his afflictions All members of the body of Christ should serve as source of comfort and consolation to suffering believers It also reveals what our conduct should be in times of severe or extreme afflictions arising from our faith in Christ and ministry

DISCUSSION

Question 1: What lesson can we learn from Paul’s salvation experience in our text?

Question 2: From the text, what is “Church” and how can one become a member of it? 2 Corinthians 1:1 1 Corinthians 12:27 Ephesians 4:12

Question 3: Mention some of the reasons for suffering and the benefits that come from it. Roman 8:35 2Corinthians 1:4; 12:7-10; Isaiah 48:10; Psalm 119:67

Question 4: What should be our consolation in times of suffering? 2 Corinthians 1:6, 11

Question 5: How should we conduct ourselves in times of suffering? Psalm 34:17, 19 Romans 15:4 1Samuel 30:6 Hebrew 10:35-39 2 Corinthians 1:10

SUMMARY Affliction to the people of God is but a pruning knife to the vine to prepare them for greater usefulness to others. When we truly share the sufferings of Christ, we have in Him peace in the midst of it all, and grace to bear it. The sufferings of the Christian are the sufferings of Christ. He sympathizes with His members when they suffer for His sake. The suffering believer need to pray for God’s help, read and meditate on God’s word, encourage self in the Lord, continue trusting God, exercise patience, remember God’s past faithfulness and remain optimistic about life

TIME TO PRAY!