Embracing the Difficult Aspects of the Christian Life

Before doing this Bible study, please read the one-minute introduction 4 Characteristics of a Rich and Satisfying Life in Christ.

It explains that the Christian life involves self-sacrifice, obedience, persecution, and loyalty to God's Word. 

1. Christians prioritize God's priorities and purposes because we are seeking God's kingdom, not our own.

Matthew 6:28-34: “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Are there things in your life that pull you from God's kingdom purposes?

2. Christians are willing to deny their desires in order to fulfill God's purposes.

Matthew 16:24-26: Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

Are you giving up anything in order to serve Christ?

3. We understand the importance of obeying God's loving commands.

John 14:15: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.

Are you seeking to follow God's commands? Are you repenting and making efforts to change when you fail?

4. We understand that being a Christ-follower doesn't make us popular. But we are willing to face persecution for the sake of the gospel.

2 Timothy 3:12: Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

Are you willing to stand with Christ even if your friends and family turn against you? Even if the world calls you hateful, a homophobe, stupid, etc.? 

 
5. We understand that Scripture will never be popular, but we love it and trust it, no matter what our culture believes.

Mark 8:38: If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” 

Are you willing to speak God's truth when everyone around you is defending the lies of culture?

For additional strength, I encourage you to read these passages:

Galatians 2:20: I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. 

Matthew 10:38-39: Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. 

Galatians 5:24-25: Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  

copyright, 2014, Gail Burton Purath, BiteSizeBibleStudy.com, edited and updated in 2023.