Leader Guide

Objective
Students will learn how faith sees us through hard times.

Warm up
Faith is something that we hear a lot about! We have faith that our favorite ice cream is in the fridge. We have faith that our girl or guy is not with someone else. We even have faith in the chair you are sitting in now that it will not collapse!

Transition

• But what exactly is faith?

Faith is defined by the Bible as “having confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1).

What this means is if you are a follower of Jesus, you live your life for Jesus because you know that the promises He made are true. Jesus died on the cross for humanity, rose again, and He is coming back!

The Video
The song’s lyrics are highlighted by Brandon’s hike of the fourth highest peak in the world: Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro (19,341 feet).

Play the music video for “See Me Through It” by Brandon Heath.

• Which part of the music video resonated with you?

Transition
Brandon Heath does an amazing job explaining what to do when life gets hard. Remember the times before that Jesus got you through, and because of this, believe that Jesus will get you through the current problem.

Bible Study
Read James 1:2-8
James spells out how to live when life is unfair or hard. He reminds us that God uses these hard times to grow us more into His likeness.

Even when it is hard, rely on Jesus! It is too easy to turn to our own strength, or to friends for help instead of God. When we do this, we short circuit the process of growing stronger in Jesus.

• Have you ever been near the ocean or a lake when it was stormy?
• What were the waves like?
• Why do you think James says the person who can’t decide if they want God’s help or their own is like a wave at sea?

If you take a paper clip and bend it back and forth over and over, it becomes weaker and weaker until it breaks. This is an example of what happens when we choose to do things our way when life becomes hard. But if you and I choose to go to Jesus and ask for help, He will give it. When you ask, expect God to come through. You do not need a backup plan in case God fails. Rather, believe that God will come through for you.

Notice the final verse, it describes someone who asks God for help but then does it their own way. A cruise ship at sea is designed to roll with high seas. Experts say the ship can roll up to 45 degrees before risking danger. No one would want to be on a cruise ship that is rolling to this extent however! Instead, everyone wants the cruise to be calm. So too with your walk with Jesus. If you ask Him for help expect God to give it and do not doubt! Don’t be like the cruise ship bobbing back and forth!

Wrap Up

• If faith is something that will make us stronger and there was a signup sheet in the back, would you sign up for it?

There is- when difficult times come you do not have to rely on yourself. Ask God for the strength and wisdom to make it through. If you are not a follower of Jesus, Jesus died for your sins and rose from the dead. He wants to help you live for Him now and one day with Him in Heaven.

• What action step do you need to make from tonight’s lesson?

Pray and invite people to make a decision for Jesus!

Playlist
This song is featured on “The Linc: Faith” Spotify playlist – which is the perfect way to remind your students what you’ve taught them in this session. To share it with them, click the live link on the web version of this study.