Perseverance Under Fire

THIS WEEK – WISDOM UNDER FIRE: PERSEVERANCE
Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego displayed perseverance by remaining determined over a great length of time and throughout a series of different circumstances.

1. Perseverance is a _________ and requires _________ .

2. Perseverance serves a __________ and comes with a _________ .

1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV) – In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Romans 2:6-8 (NIV) – 6God “will repay each person according to what they have done.”7To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. 8But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger.

3. Perseverance is both in ____________ and in __________ .

HOW DO WE LIVE WISELY TODAY?
• Do not worry
o Matthew 6:34 (NIV) – Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
• Pray & Petition
o Daniel 6:10 (NIV) – Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
• Fight for Relationship
o Hebrews 3:12-14 (NIV) – 12See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end.

• Live Obediently: Love God and Others
o John 14:5 (NIV) – “If you love me, keep my commands.
o Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV) – Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Doing a Great Big thing one time amounts to having only done a little Great over time, whereas doing Little Great things over time amounts to having done a Great Big thing over time.

QUESTIONS TO REFLECT AND DISCUSS:
Passages to consider: Daniel 3 &6; James 1; Phil 4

Icebreaker: What is the hottest temperature you have been in? Share about it. Or, tell about the biggest fire you have experienced. What was important to you from the sermon? What questions did you have?

Questions:
1. Read Daniel 3. (If you are aware of Bible storying, this would be a great passage to story.) What do you see in this passage about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego?
A) Describe what you think it might have looked like, sounded like at this moment for them.
2. What has helped these men get to this point? (Daniel 1 may be helpful) What do you learn from them?
A) Who helps you pursue God’s perspective in the hard times? Who do you help?
3. When you think of persistence and resilience who or what comes to mind? A)Take a look at Romans 5:1-5 & James 1:2-7 what are some of the conditions around developing perseverance? A)What can stop you from being persistent?
4. Read Daniel 3:16-18; Daniel 6:6-10; Luke 9:23 What do these passages show us about persistence and resilience?
5. What small, repeated choices have made a difference in your life? (this can be both positive and negative)
6. Where are you in need of perseverance and resilience this season? What is a small consistent next step for you?