Welcome to Sunday Fuel! This series of questions is designed to assist your personal reflection and fellowship with others about the sermon from this past Sunday.

Go to This Sunday’s Sermon Pick the questions that are most helpful or appropriate to you.

1. Elisabeth Elliot described suffering as wanting what you don’t have or having what you don’t want. What personal example of suffering in your own life comes to mind?

In your example, would you rather… be happy because everything goes your way or have joy because you know He has greater purposes in mind, even when life is hard? Explain your choice. 

Pastor Kim shared two big pieces of life that lead to joy no matter our circumstances: 1) knowing our greater purpose in this world—to honor Christ and 2) knowing the greater promise of the next—to be with Christ. 

2. In your personal example above, what smaller purposes might I be clinging to instead of God’s greater purposes for my suffering? Where might I be tempted to think “I can’t be joyful unless things change”? Take time to confess these competing purposes to the Lord.

3. What might honoring Christ look like in your suffering? How might you live for Christ, make much of Christ, and/or treasure Christ through the difficult times?

4. Take some time to reflect on the fact that you will see Christ one day. How does this truth help you reframe how you see your struggles and difficulties today?  Even if your situation does not change, how might the hope of eternity help you endure and walk in faithfulness today?

What is one specific way you can express faith and trust to God? Respond in Christ-honoring love to others, even if it is difficult to do so? 

5. Joy is not the same as enjoyment. Ask God to help you treasure Him more than comfort or control. What small act of faith that honors and treasures Christ that you can take today?