Trusting in Christ

by Sarah Young, Karen Lee-Thorp (With)

Overview

In Trusting in Christ, the second study in the Jesus Calling Bible Study Series, you will examine what the Bible has to say about relying on God for all your needs. 

As you push back the demands of the day, give your cares to Him, and encounter Him personally through His Word, you will discover the truth of Paul’s words when he wrote, “My God will meet all of your needs according the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). You will see that God loves you, cares for you, and provides the strength you need to get through any situation.

Sessions Include: 

1. Trusting In God's Strength
2. Trusting In God's Goodness
3. Trusting In God's Presence
4. Trusting In God's Provision
5. Trusting In God Alone
6. Trusting In God's Guidance
7. Trusting In God When Facing the Unknown
8. Trusting In God's Will

 

Each of the Jesus Calling Bible Studies include devotional readings from Jesus Calling, selected passages of Scripture for reflection, Bible Study questions, and additional questions and activities to help you apply and live out the material during the week. This study can be used for personal reflection and Bible study or in a small-group setting.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780718035945
Publisher:	HarperChristian Resources
Publication date:	07/28/2015
Series:	Jesus Calling Bible Studies
Sold by:	HarperCollins Publishing
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Sarah Young, author of the bestselling 365-day devotionals Jesus Calling® and Jesus Listens, was committed to helping people connect with Jesus and the Bible. Her books have sold more than 46 million copies worldwide. Jesus Calling® has appeared on all major bestseller lists. Sarah’s writings include Jesus Calling®, Jesus Listens®, Jesus Always, Jesus Today®, Jesus Lives™, Dear Jesus, Jesus Calling® for Little Ones, Jesus Calling® Bible Storybook, Jesus Calling®: 365 Devotions for Kids, and more, each encouraging readers in their journeys toward intimacy with Christ. Sarah believed praying for her readers was a privilege and God-given responsibility and did so daily even amidst her own health challenges.

Connect with Jesus Calling at:

Facebook.com/JesusCalling

Instagram.com/JesusCalling

Youtube.com/JesusCallingBook

Pinterest.com/Jesus_Calling

Karen Lee-Thorp was a senior editor at NavPress for many years and series editor for the LifeChange Bible study series. She is now a freelance writer living in Brea, California, with her husband, Greg Herr, and their daughters, Megan and Marissa.

Read an Excerpt

Trusting in Christ

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By Sarah Young, Karen Lee-Thorp

Thomas Nelson

Copyright © 2015 Sarah Young
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-7180-3594-5

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CHAPTER 1

SESSION 1

Trusting in God's Strength

Consider It

So much of ordinary life is based on trust. When you climb out of bed in the morning, you trust the floor will support you so you can stand upright. When you go to the coffee house, you trust the people there will safely supply the ingredients for your breakfast. When you step into an elevator, you trust the maintenance crews have done what is necessary to make sure you won't get stuck between floors. If any of these betray your trust, it can be very disturbing.

Unfortunately, no structure, person, or human institution is perfectly trustworthy. Buildings wear out and fail. Food and water can be tainted. Maintenance crews miss things or fail to follow proper procedures. Even family and friends sometimes fail us. Our awareness of these flaws in people and things can leave us feeling insecure, as if there is no one or no thing we can truly trust.

The Bible claims God is different. He is perfectly trustworthy. This seems too good to be true, so we doubt it is true. Even when we want to trust what the Bible says about God, a lifetime of being let down by others leaves a core of mistrust inside us. We find it hard to believe God is all-powerful and can handle any situation that confronts us.

In this first session, we're going to become aware of that mistrust and whether we have a little of it or a lot. We're going to start chopping away at its roots so we can start to build trust in the One who can always be trusted.

1. On a scale of 1 to 5, how would you rate your ability on a typical day to relax and trust in God's strength?

1     2
3     4
5
I find it hard to trust God.
I find it easy to trust God.

2. What about today? What helped you trust God? What got in the way? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Experience It

"Strive to trust Me in more and more areas of your life. Anything that tends to make you anxious is a growth opportunity. Instead of running away from these challenges, embrace them, eager to gain all the blessings I have hidden in the difficulties. If you believe that I am sovereign over every aspect of your life, it is possible to trust Me in all situations. Don't waste energy regretting the way things are or thinking about what might have been. Start at the present moment—accepting things exactly as they are—and search for My way in the midst of those circumstances.

"Trust is like a staff you can lean on, as you journey uphill with Me. If you are trusting in Me consistently, the staff will bear as much of your weight as needed. Lean on, trust, and be confident in Me with all your heart and mind."

—From Jesus Calling, January 22

3. Do you have a tendency to get anxious? If so, what sorts of things do you get anxious about? Why do you worry? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

4. What do you see in the above reading that is different from your typical approach to the things that make you anxious? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

5. What appeals to you in what you see there? Does anything not appeal? Why? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

"I want you to learn a new habit. Try saying, 'I trust You, Jesus,' in response to whatever happens to you. If there is time, think about who I am in all My Power and Glory; ponder also the depth and breadth of My Love for you.

"This simple practice will help you see Me in every situation, acknowledging My sovereign control over the universe. When you view events from this perspective—through the Light of My universal Presence—fear loses its grip on you. Adverse circumstances become growth opportunities when you affirm your trust in Me no matter what. You receive blessings gratefully, realizing they flow directly from My hand of grace. Your continual assertion of trusting Me will strengthen our relationship and keep you close to Me."

—From Jesus Calling, January 4

6. What do you think of the idea of saying, "I trust You, Jesus," in response to everything that happens? Do you think that would help you? What obstacles would you have to overcome to make that a habit? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

7. What would be some benefits of praying this consistently? Which benefits seem especially significant to you? Why? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Study It

Read aloud the following passage from Matthew 6:25–34. Jesus speaks these words to His followers. Try to hear Him speaking them to you.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."

8. In the passage above, what reasons does Jesus give for not worrying? List as many as you can. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

9. Which of these reasons do you find persuasive? Why? Which ones are more difficult to accept? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

10. Take two minutes of silence to reread the passage, looking for a sentence, phrase, or even one word that stands out as something Jesus wants you to hear. Ask Him to help you hear it. If you're meeting with a group, the leader will keep track of time. At the end of two minutes, you may share your word or phrase with the group if you wish. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

11. Read the passage aloud again. Take two minutes of silence, asking Jesus what He is saying to you through the word or phrase you selected, and whether He would like you to do anything in response. If you're meeting with a group, the leader will again keep track of time. At the end of two minutes, you may share with the group what came to you in the silence if you wish. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

12. What was it like for you to sit in silence with the passage? Did soaking in the passage like this help you take it in better than before? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

13. If you're meeting with a group, how can the members pray for you? If you're using this study on your own, what would you like to say to God right now? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Live It

At the end of each session you'll find suggested Scripture readings for spending time alone with God during five days of the coming week. Each day will deal with this week's theme of letting go of worry and trusting in God's strength. Read the passage slowly, pausing to think about what is being said. Rather than approaching this as an assignment to complete, think of it as an opportunity to meet with a Person. Use any of the questions that are helpful.

Day 1

Read Proverbs 3:5–6. Why is it unwise to rely on your own understanding? Give an example of a way in which your understanding is limited. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

What path are you currently most concerned about? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Are you tempted to worry about it? How could leaning on the Lord's strength help you? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

What would acknowledging Him in that situation look like? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Pray aloud, "I trust you, Jesus."

Day 2

Read Psalm 37:1–7. What does it mean to fret? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

What causes of fretting does this psalm address? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Do you ever fret for these reasons? What reasons does this psalm give for why you shouldn't fret? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

What promise do you most need to take to heart? How can you choose to take delight in the Lord today? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Pray aloud, "I trust You, Jesus." Try to pray this several times during the coming day.

Day 3

Read Isaiah 40:10–11. Think about the Lord coming with power. How has He displayed His power in the past? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

How does God display it in the world around you? How has He displayed it in your own life? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

How does God's power make Him trustworthy? How does thinking about it affect your anxiety? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Ask God to give you a glimpse of His power. Pray aloud, "I trust You, Jesus." See if you can remember to pray it again throughout your day.

Day 4

Read Psalm 23:1–4. Stop at the end of each line and picture yourself in the scene, lying down in a green pasture, with a restored soul, and so on. What does it feel like? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Can you let your body relax into the scene? Can you picture yourself walking in the valley, comforted and strengthened rather than afraid? How does this psalm affect the way you see the situations you are tempted to worry about? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Pray aloud right now, "I trust You, Jesus," and do so continually as you go through your day. Pray to be aware of Jesus' Presence and strength.

Day 5

Read Psalm 127:1–2. What does it mean to trust the Lord to build your house? Do you think He will? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Do you think God is powerful enough to keep your town safe? Do you think that He will do so? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

What are the worries that threaten your sleep? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Why is anxious toil unnecessary? How is it different from hard work without anxiety? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

Turn these verses into a prayer, entrusting to God the things that you tend to worry about. Pray aloud, "I trust You, Jesus."

CHAPTER 2

SESSION 2

Trusting in God's Goodness

Consider It

How do you imagine God when you pray? Is He listening with rapt attention and a smile on His face? Is He frowning at a pile of paperwork on His desk, hardly noticing you're talking? Is He engrossed listening to someone else—someone more deserving?

Whatever your notion of God, it influences the way you pray. It influences what you ask for, how persistently you ask if He doesn't answer right away, and whether you trust Him to hear you and have your best interests at heart.

In this session you'll read a parable in which Jesus gets at the way each of us imagines God. As you study that story, it will challenge the way you see God and approach Him in prayer.

1. In session 1, you were challenged to pray, "I trust You, Jesus," as you went through your day. Did you try it? If so, how did it affect your attitude and actions? What was a high point or low point of your trust in God this week? _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Trusting in Christ by Sarah Young, Karen Lee-Thorp. Copyright © 2015 Sarah Young. Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Contents

Introduction, vii,
Session 1: Trusting in God's Strength Matthew 6:25–34, 1,
Session 2: Trusting in God's Goodness Luke 18:1–8, 15,
Session 3: Trusting in God's Presence 2 Corinthians 4:6–12, 16–18, 29,
Session 4: Trusting in God's Provision 2 Kings 4:1–7, 43,
Session 5: Trusting in God Alone 2 Kings 6:8–23, 57,
Session 6: Trusting in God's Guidance Luke 1:26–38, 73,
Session 7: Trusting in God When Facing the Unknown Matthew 14:22–33, 89,
Session 8: Trusting in God's Will Luke 9:10–17, 103,
Leader's Notes, 117,