DisCOURAGEd

Key Takeaways

• Discouragement comes when our deepest desires for intimacy and impact are blocked.

• God puts courage into our hearts by giving us partnership and presence.

• Partnership restores our purpose, while God's presence restores our confidence.

• Jesus lost the security of partnership and presence on the cross so that we never will.

• The gospel doesn't end with "earn this," but with "it is finished."

Study Questions

• Question 1

  How have you experienced discouragement in your life, and how does Paul's experience in Corinth resonate with your own struggles?

• Question 2

  In what ways do you see your desires for intimacy and impact being blocked, and how might this be contributing to discouragement in your life?

• Question 3

  How have you experienced God providing partnership during times of discouragement? What does it look like to create margin so that you can be used by God for others?

• Question 4

  John states, "God's office is at the end of your rope." What does this mean to you? How have you experienced God's presence in your weakest moments?

• Question 5

  How does understanding Jesus' sacrifice on the cross - losing partnership and presence - impact your view of God's love and commitment to you?

• Question 6

  John contrasted "earn this" from Saving Private Ryan with "it is finished" from the gospel. How do these contrasting perspectives affect your approach to life and faith?

5-Day Devotional

DAY 1 DAY 2 DAY 3 DAY 4 DAY 5

Day 1 : Finding Courage in God's Presence

READING :

Isaiah 41:8-13

DEVOTIONAL :

In times of discouragement, we often feel alone and afraid. But just as God reassured Paul in Corinth, he promises to be with us always. Today's passage reminds us that God's presence is not a reward for the strong, but a gift for the weak. Reflect on areas in your life where you feel weak or afraid. How might embracing God's presence change your perspective? Remember, "God's office is at the end of your rope." Take comfort in knowing that your weakness is the very place where God's strength is perfected.

Day 2 : The Power of Partnership in Faith

READING :

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

DEVOTIONAL :

God often encourages us through partnerships. Paul found strength in Aquila, Priscilla, Silas, and Timothy. Who has God placed in your life to support and encourage you? Consider how you might be that support for someone else. Remember, "pain alone is doubled, pain together is halved." Reach out to a fellow believer today, offering encouragement or asking for support. In doing so, you participate in God's design for the body of Christ, where we bear one another's burdens.

Day 3 : Overcoming Discouragement with God's Purpose

READING :

Romans 8:28-30

DEVOTIONAL :

Discouragement often stems from blocked desires - for intimacy and impact. But God is sovereign over our circumstances, working all things for our good. Reflect on a situation where you feel discouraged. How might God be using this to shape you? Remember, "Not a hair can fall from our heads without the will of our heavenly Father." Trust that even in your discouragement, God is at work, preparing you for his purposes. Ask him to reveal how he might be using your current struggles for your growth and his glory.

Day 4 : The Sufficiency of Christ's Sacrifice

READING :

2 Corinthians 12:9-10

DEVOTIONAL :

Unlike the ending of "Saving Private Ryan," where the protagonist is told to "earn this," the gospel proclaims "it is finished." Christ's sacrifice is complete and sufficient. You don't need to prove your worth or justify your existence. In what areas of your life are you still trying to "earn" God's love or approval? Meditate on the sufficiency of Christ's work. How does this change your approach to your struggles and failures? Rest in the knowledge that in Christ, you are already accepted, loved, and worthy.

Day 5 : God's Presence in Our Weakness

READING :

Matthew 28:16-20

DEVOTIONAL :

Jesus' final words to his disciples were a promise of his enduring presence. This same promise extends to us today. When we feel weak, afraid, or alone, Jesus assures us, "I am with you always." Reflect on times when you've felt God's presence in your weakness. How did it change your perspective or give you strength? Today, consciously invite God's presence into your challenges. Remember, his power is made perfect in your weakness. Ask him to fill you with the courage that comes from knowing you are never truly alone.

This Week’s Liturgy & Playlist

CALL TO WORSHIP

Leader: Oh sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth! Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!

All: For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised!

Psalm 96:1-4a

Confession of Sin

Gracious God, we admit that discouragement exposes our unbelief. When we feel alone, we ignore your presence and refuse the partners you provide. We try to meet our desires our own way—grasping for control, nursing resentment, or retreating into isolation. Instead of trusting your timing and care, we act as though everything rests on us. Forgive us for doubting your grace and resisting your help. Give us courage through Christ, who was crucified and raised for us. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Colossians 2:13-14

Looking Ahead

Join us next week for Acts 19:11-20.