Striving for the Prize - Lesson 6 - Endurance

Remember we are in a race.
It has already started and it is not yet finished.
Has anyone put thought into where they are in that race now?

Opening thoughts…





Illustration of training horses and runners…

Running Alone

I Peter 4:4, ‘Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you:’

We want our children to be stronger than us in this area.
Even if we say we do not give into peer pressure
We can all tell a story where we got caught up in something
We knew we should not have.

What is your advice on peer pressure?





Here is our advice…

Hebrews 12:3, ‘For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.’

Do you have anything to add there?





Exodus 18:23, ‘If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.’

Sounds like if we are doing what God has directed us to do we will have the endurance we need.
Possibly we are exhausted because we are doing it alone.

Your thoughts…





Psalm 73:26, ‘My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.’

I often pray for wisdom in making the right decisions and the strength to follow through with them.

What advice do you have for us here?





1Corinthians 3:2, ‘I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.’

We get frustrated with our children when they want to grow up too quickly.
Sounds like the Lord goes through that with us.

Your thoughts…





1Corinthians 13:4-7, ‘Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.’

I have learned and understand that charity means love,
I need to grow in this area so I need you to help me here.

What is your advice?





2Timothy 2:3, ‘Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.’

Other than telling me to quit my crying and complaining,
What advice do you have for us here?





James 5:11, ‘Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.’

I know I forget this when I am in the heat of battle.
I start to get a little mad.
I want to blame others.
I criticize others for my poor performance.

I want to be able to rest in the fact that I am enduring
and doing what I am supposed to be doing.

Talk to us about being happy when we are in such pain…





Romans 9:16, ‘So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.’

Help me put this in perspective please,
It sounds like we have to work as if it is all up to us,
And pray as if it is all up to God.

Your thoughts on this verse…



Closing thoughts…







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