INITIATION:
It shouldn’t surprise us when nonbelievers don’t understand why believers think they way they think or do the things they do. Christianity says: “If you want to be great, be the least,” or “If you want to lead, then be a servant to ail.” Or, as it in the case of today’s study, “Don’t let frustrating circumstances get you down; view then: as opportunities to exercise and strengthen your faith. It may sound funny, but it is a reality.”
The teen years can be especially frustrating time. At this point in their lives, your students are likely focused on developing their own identities, gaining acceptance of others, and establishing relationships with peers. When teens face struggles in one of these areas, they frequently become mired in_ frustration or even depression.
Try to remember what frustrated you as a teen. If a particular story comes to mind, consider sharing it with the class. Emphasize that in life, there are circumstances that would want to frustrate us; even the great prophets mentioned in the Bible experienced such feelings. Yet, if we don’t learn to overcome this emotion, it may frequently overcome us. As you prepare for this study, pray that God will use it to help your students handle in healthy ways whatever frustrating circumstance they may have to deal with. If you’ve been feeling frustrated yourself, ask God to increase your faith to depend more completely on Him.
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UNIT 4:
TURNING THE TIDE OF EMOTIONS
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BIBLE TEXT:
1 Kings 17:1-24; 18:1,16-21,25-27, 34-42: 19:1-14,18
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SUBJECT:
FROM FRUSTRATION TO FAITH
KEY VERSE:
Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee (Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV).
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MAIN LESSON DISCOURSE
Explain to students…
WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?
Everyone encounters discouraging circumstances, but God is able to turn our frustrations into faith.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Living in constant frustration can lead to anxiety and depression; it hinders our abilities to witness and keeps us from experiencing God’s peace.
HOW DO I LIVE IT?
Turn your frustrations over to God, listen to His voice, and follow Him in faith.
>>Activity Option:
ACTING OUT
Play a quick play of charades. Have a student act out the word “frustration” After a few minutes (or when someone guesses correctly). Make the point that frustration can affect every aspect of our lives — facial expressions, our attitudes, our relationships with God and others, and our witness for Christ.
>>Guide:
Explain that living for God doesn’t mean we’ll never have to face trials, hardships, or disappointments. But it does mean we won’t have to go through these tough times alone. God has promised to help if we’ll ask Him. When our world seems to be falling apart, it’s up to us to decide how we’ll respond. We can give in to frustration and doubt, allowing Satan to have the upper hand. Or we can turn to God in faith, gaining strength and insight to prevail in the present situation — and equipped to meet the next big challenge.
Study Overview:
Inform them that today’s study considers the followings:
• The effects of frustration on a believer’s faith.
• How God can use frustrating circumstances to increase our faith.
• Ways to combat frustration and fuel faith.
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>>INFORM AND DISCUSS
A). Keeping the Faith:
- Read or have a volunteer read 1 Kings 17:1-6. How would you have reacted in Elijah’s situation? Why?
Guide:
Explain that the fact that Elijah obeyed God didn’t keep him from experiencing hardships. Following God’s leading doesn’t mean we’ll avoid all trouble, but we can count on God to care for our needs.
- How does God use difficult circumstances in our fives to bring us closer to Him?
[Hint: Difficulties often cause us to seek Him more diligently and allow us to experience His provision. As we rely on the Lord’s faithfulness day after day, we learn to trust God as the Source of our. Strength.]
What are people’s initial reactions when faced with challenges?
[Hint: When hard times comes, we’re often quick to whine and question God. But when we look at every challenge as an opportunity to experience the Lord’ s mercy and kindness — and to grow stronger — frustration will melt away, making room for faith to arise.]Read or have volunteers read 1 Kings 17:7-16. Why should we focus on trusting God rather than trying to decide if our circumstances are fair or if what He asked us to do is too hard?
[Hint: Tying to decide whether or not life is fair isn’t what God is asking us to do. But He did ask us to be. Obedient. When we’re obedient, we are showing God that we trust Him. He will never let us down.]
>>Note:
Knowing that the widow and her son were on the brink of starvation, Elijah asked the woman to do something totally unnatural: deprive her own child of much-needed nourishment in order to feed a stranger. This was a difficult test, but the woman passed. As a result, she and her son were blessed by God as He supernaturally provided food.
- How effective would a frustrated Christian be at reaching others for Christ? Why?
>>Note:
When you’re pressing on in faith instead of constantly struggling with frustration, you’ll be much more likely to persuade others to trust Jesus with their lives. Like Elijah, you can become a living example of God’s dependability.
- Read or have volunteers read 1 Kings 17:17-24. Are the bad things that happen in our lives punishment for our past sins? [Hint: God does judge people who don’t turn from their sins. But if we’ve made Christ the leader of our lives and are living according to His standards, we don’t have to fear His judgement. This doesn’t mean trials will never come. But when they do, we can turn to God in confidence, knowing that He hears our prayers and will take care of our concerns.]
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B). Renewing Our Faith:
- Read or have volunteers read 1 Kings 18:1,16-21, 25-27, 31 - 42; 19:13. How had Elijah’s previous experiences prepared him for his showdown with Ahab and the prophets of Baal?
>>Hint:
Elijah had witnessed God’s miraculous care and intervention in his own life and that of the widow and her son. His faith was now strong enough to carry out the next step in God’s plan to reveal Himself as the one true God and to renew the faith of the people of Israel.
- Read or have volunteers read 1 Kings 19:4-10. What might be the connection between Elijah being exhausted and his wanting to give up? [Hint: When we are exhausted, we’re more susceptible to the effects of frustration. The angel strengthened Elijah enough for him to continue.]
>>Guide:
Explain that Elijah took his frustration to the right place: the - Throne of God. Interestingly, he ran for his life, yet prayed that he would die. His words at this time were full of discouragement and fatigue. Elijah had won a great victory, yet he felt defenceless against the queen’s threats.
How can a lack of rest and good nutrition affect your mood? What can you do about this?
[Hint: Physical exhaustion can leave you feeling unable to cope with emotional or spiritual challenges. Making smart choice about food, rest, and exercise can have a positive effect o energy level.]Read or have volunteers read Deuteronomy 31:6; 4 Kings 19:11-18. Ask students if there are times when their faith isolates them from others. Why is it so hard for unbelievers to understand the true reasons for Christians’ moral convictions?
[Guide: Explain that as Elijah struggled with his emotions, he cried out to God in desperation. God heard and answered personally — and He still does today. God promises to be our most faithful friend.]
>>Involve Them:
Play the song “Hope in Front of Me” by Danny Gokey from the album Hope in Front of Me. SEE IT HERE
Discuss with students the true source of hope found in this song. Even though we may be frustrated and down, the song suggests that there will be better days ahead for us. Discuss this hope that Christians share.
>>Inspire Them:
Remind students THE BASIC MESSAGE of this study. Point out the Big Idea behind the study; WHY it matters; and HOW we can live the lesson learned.
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>>Invitation Option:
A WORD FROM THE LORD
Few things relieve our frustration and build our faith like hearing from God. Divide the class into pairs and give each student paper and a pen or pencil.
Have them list ways that God speaks to us today (e.g., the Bible, times of prayer and reflection, a message in tongues and interpretation, a word of knowledge, a sermon, another Christian, and parents). Remind students that when God speaks to us, He will never contradict His Word, the Bible. Then have them consider how often they make themselves available to listen to God when He speaks.
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>>Teacher Hint:
Ask Yourself...
- Do students understand the danger of allowing frustration to influence their walk with God?
- Can they list a variety of ways to make themselves available to hear the voice of God?
- Are they prepared to encourage others not to give in to frustrations, but™ to instead fight back in faith?
Conclude by encouraging students to view frustration as an opportunity to exercise their faith in the God who is faithful and true.
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>>Daily Dew Drops
MON: Chosen and Ordained – John 15:16
TUE: Save the Harvest - Luke 10:1-3
WED: Divinely Authorized - Luke 9:1; 10-11
THU: Rise Above that Fear - Mark 16:17-18 a
FRI: Joyful Results - Luke 10:17-18
SAT: God Is With You - Matt 28:19-20.
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