Christian Encouragement from the Bible for Difficult Times - Why We Might Be Weary - Part 2

Christian encouragement from the Bible for difficult times is needed. This is part two of Pastor Scott's discussion on why we might be weary and what we can do about it. Christian encouragement in difficult times can be hard to find, but it's available from God's Word. Ecclesiastes 12:12 says, “My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.” The Christian life is one of balance, and the news is one example of needed balance. We should be informed. We should know what’s going on and strive to have accurate information. We should study. But as verse 12 says much study is a weariness of the flesh and makes difficult times even worse. There’s a downside to too much news without the needed Christian encouragement. We need to be careful how much we’re consuming. Sometimes we need to practice social distancing with the news. There’s a lot changing week-by-week and sometimes day-by-day…but not hour-by-hour. I’m not going to legalistically tell you how much to watch, but I will say you don’t need hours per day to understand what’s going on.

Spend more time in God’s Word than you spend on the news. The reason is that whatever we feed ourselves influences us. We have the opportunity to feed ourselves man’s words, which are untrustworthy, overwhelming, and wearying. Or we can feed ourselves God’s Word, which is like a goad that directs us, and a stake that protects us as verse 11 records.

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SERMON LESSONS for Christian Encouragement from the Bible for Difficult Times - Why We Might Be Weary - Part 2

Note: Lesson 1 and Parts I and II of Lesson 2 are from Part I.

Lesson 1: God’s Word is like a:
• (Part I) Goad that directs (Ecc 12:11a; Psa 23:1, 80:1; John 10:11; Heb 13:20; 1 Pet 2:25, 5:4; Matt 12:42).
• (Part II) Stake that protects (Ecc 12:11b; Psa 119:89; Isa 40:8; 1 Pet 1:24; Matt 24:35).

Lesson 2: Man’s words can be:
• (Part I) Untrustworthy (Ecc 12:12a).
• (Part II) Overwhelming (Ecc 12:12b).

• (Part III) _________________ (Lam 2:18, 3:49-50; John 16:33).

Lesson 3: We are the ______________ ______ (2 Thes 1:8-9; John 10:28).

Family Worship Guide for Christian Encouragement from the Bible for Difficult Times - Why We Might Be Weary - Part 2

Memory Verses: John 10:28

Day 1: Ecclesiastes 12:9-12 and discuss: How is God’s Word like an ox goad? How is it like a stake? What verses can you think of that support this? How are man’s words untrustworthy and overwhelming? Where did Solomon say the words of the wise come from? Why is it important to know where wisdom comes from?

Day 2: Read Lamentations 2:18, 3:49-50 and John 16:33 and discuss: Why was Jeremiah’s ministry so difficult, i.e. what did he experience and see? How are we affected by pictures, videos, and news? Why does the news follow, “If it bleeds it leads”? How and why is news wearying? What can you do to avoid being wearied by the news? Since Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation,” what does this mean for us regarding the news now and in the future?

Day 3: Read 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 and John 10:28 and discuss: How are we like the falling man? How are we not like the falling man, or in other words, how can we avoid the despair he must’ve experienced even though we’re “falling” too? What awaits those who don’t know God? What does Jesus offer and how is it received? How can these truths give us hope despite the despair the world throws at us?

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