Introduction:
Several instances abound in the scriptures of God’s children who suffered severe hardship and unjust treatment for the sole reason of their belief in God. On some occasions they never could explain why God allowed such things to happen. Are we, the present-day believers immune from such sufferings and trials? How can we b prepared to face such situations, and what should be our reaction in the face of opposition?

1 John 16:33, Mat 5:11; Judges 16:16-21; 2 Chr 20:35-37; Gen 37:7-20, 2Cor 12:19
a) What is ‘Trial of faith’? - Identify the key elements of Christian trial.
b) From whom can we expect persecutions and when?
c) Differentiate between trial and punishment. - What events lead to punishment.
d) What other form of hardship could Christians suffer which may not represent trial of faith, nor punishment?
 

2. Acts 7:54-60; lCor 15:54-57; lJohn 5:4; Isa 43:2: Gen 37:21-22; Phi 1:9-14
a) Will a Christian always emerge victorious in the midst of a trial? -
b) Discuss the Christian concept of victory. How does the world see victory?
c) Would God permit Christians to suffer? Why?

3. Dan 3:16-18; Psa 119:161; Mat 5:12, 44: Luk 6:22,23 Rom 8:28, 5:1, 10:17; Job
2:11-3:11, 42:1-10
a) What should be the believer’s attitude in trials of faith? - Steadfastness.
b) How can a believer remain joyous in the midst of trials? - being filled with the word.
c) What is the key to standing firm in the face of trial?
d) How should believers help those suffering for Christ’s sake?
 

Conclusion:
A man found a cocoon of a butterfly. One day a small opening appeared. He sat and watched the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. If appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther. So, the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly then emerged easily. 8ut, it had a swollen body, and small shriveled wings. He continued to watch the butterfly, because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It was never able to fly. What he had done, in his well intentioned kindness and haste, and what he did not understand, was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required to get through the tiny opening were Gods way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved it’s freedom from the cocoon. Sometimes struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If God allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we could have been. God has a purpose for allowing us pass through such trial and He will be glorified in the end.