Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed. –1 Peter 4:12,13

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. –Romans 5:3,4

“If My people who are called by My name humble themselves, and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” –2 Chronicles 7:14

…God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness, the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people. To them God has chosen to make known…the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. –Colossians 1:25-27

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In Him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with Him in baptism and raised with Him through your faith in the power of God, who raised Him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; He took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. –Colossians 2:8-15

“I, yes, I alone, will blot out your sins for My own sake and will never think of them again.” –Isaiah 43:25

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. –James 4:6

Living in Grace is Staying Close to…

1. The cross

2. Grace-giving people

3. Grace-needy people

Discussion Questions

1. What one thing do you want to see God do in your life during this crisis?

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Hoopla app

Grace Bible Reading Plan

Prayer lists online

Podcasts & YouTube:
Ravi Zacharias
Hugh Ross
Eric Metaxas

GraceSTL.org/SpiritualGrowth