Sermon Outline for Further Study / Reflection
I. INTRODUCTION
a) Why Do we Get Discouraged?
b) People of God Discouraged in the Bible
II. CAUSES TOWARDS DISCOURAGEMENT
a) Distant – felt absence of God’s presence
b) Disheartened – from what you once had
c) Damaged – from words that wounded you
III. OVERCOMING DISCOURAGEMENT
a) Pray – abide in God’s presence (soul-restoration: repentance/forgiveness)
b) Preach – feed your mind & soul with God’s Word
c) Praise – through the middle of the pain or felt abandonment
d) Promises – hold by faith beyond difficult circumstances
IV. LIVING HOPE IN CHRIST
a) Abiding in a Hope that Doesn’t Disappoint
b) Special Strength in the Power of Christ
c) Hope that is Eternal
GROWING DEEPER IN REFLECTION
1. How do you respond/react when you feel distant from God or deeply discouraged in life?
2. In what ways did today’s message encourage you?
3. Explain the possible means of how the devil may try to discourage you and your relationship with God.
4. By believing your living hope is in Christ, how will this help lift any felt discouragement? What steps of faith is God asking you to take?
Be Encouraged God is with you!
Pastor Trevor