Really?
Searching For Reality In A Confusing World
Elizabeth McQuoid
- English
- ePUB (mobile friendly)
- Available on iOS & Android
Really?
Searching For Reality In A Confusing World
Elizabeth McQuoid
About This Book
Today we have more information, more lifestyle choices, more options than ever before. But in spite of all this, people are still searching for truth â?" for a way to make sense of their questions, and of all the ups and downs of life.
The questions don't stop when we become Christians. Yet we can find real truth in Jesus Christ, and real wisdom, security and hope.
These seven studies help us go deeper into the truth we are offered in Jesus Christ, and to root our lives in it.
Because Jesus offers us himself, a reality that satisfies not only our intellectual curiosity, but also the deepest longings of our hearts. He offers us true security and sure hope for the future. He reshapes our thoughts, our life, our identity and our purpose.
Real truth is found in Jesus Christ, and knowing him changes everything.
This title is brought to you by Keswick Ministries. Find out more at https://www.keswickministries.org
Frequently asked questions
Information
Real hope
INTRODUCTION
READ Romans 8:18–39
‘For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’
FOCUS ON THE THEME
- What are you hoping for? At this point in your life what are your hopes for the future?
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?
- According to verses 18–23, what hope do Christians have?
- What guarantees do we have of this future hope? Look at verses 23, 28–30.
- What does this hope mean for life now? How does this future hope impact the present? Look at verses 31–39.
In the Bible, hope is not a vague expectation – a kind of fingers-crossed wishful thinking. Rather, it is the Bible’s shorthand for unconditional certainty. Hope is a sure and confident expectation about the future, based on a trust in God’s sovereignty and a confidence in his faithfulness. True hope is future-orientated and grounded in the character of God and the fact that he has committed himself to us in the form of his unbreakable promises. Hope is therefore the confident anticipation of a future outcome.(Mallard, Invest Your Suffering, p. 166)
INVESTIGATE FURTHER
- What is the reason for our future hope given in 1 Peter 1:3–5?
- Why can we put our hope in God during difficult times? Look at:
- 1 Peter 1:6–7
- 2 Corinthians 4:16–18
- What difference can real hope make to our lives now? Look up:
- Isaiah 40:31
- 1 Thessalonians 1:3
- Hebrews 6:17–20
- 1 John 3:3
We assume that, in our trials, God has forgotten us or that they prove that we are of no value to him. Precisely the opposite is true. God tests us because we are precious and he wants to remove the dross and prove the reality of our faith. The fire of the furnace is proof of intentional grace and deliberate mercy.(Mallard, Invest Your Suffering, pp. 96–97)
LIVING IT OUT
- In what ways can we share God’s hope with:
- Christian friends going through difficult times?
- Friends who don’t share our Christian faith?
- Our local community?
- Consider your own concerns and struggles. How do these Bible truths
- challenge you?
- comfort you?
To be honest, during the last twenty years there have been times when my faith has seemed frail and fragile and almost ready to collapse. But one thing I have never doubted is that, in the darkest circumstances, we were only ever in the hands of God. That has been the ultimate source of comfort and hope.(Mallard, Invest Your Suffering, pp. 34–35)
- Reflect on your answer to question 1. What do you think God wants you to hope for? What practical measures could you take to get your focus right?
My hope is built on nothing lessThan Jesus’ blood and righteousness.I dare not trust the sweetest frame,But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.(Edward Mote)
PRAYER TIME
- Thank God for being a constant source of hope.
- Pray about the hopes for yourself and your family you mentioned in question 1.
- Ask God to help you keep eternity your real hope and focus.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.(Rom...