‘Unto all patience and longsuffering’  

MEMORY VERSE: ‘For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.’ Hebrews 10:36.

STUDY HELP:  God’s Amazing Grace page 248.

LESSON SCRIPTURE: Psalm 37:1-11.

LESSON AIM: To study the importance of patience in the lives of God’s people.  

Introduction  

‘Those who are trying to purify their souls through obedience to the truth, yet who have had no opportunity of making special efforts and sacrifices for Christ and His cause, should find consolation in the thought that it is not necessarily the self-surrender of the martyr that is the most acceptable to God; it may not be the missionary whose life has been one of trial and endurance, that stands highest in heaven's record; but that the Christian who is such in his private life, in his daily struggle with self, in the control of his passions, in cleanness of purpose, in purity of thought, in patience, meekness, and long-suffering under the test of provocation, in piety, in devotion, in holy faith and trust in God, in faithfulness in little things, representing in the home life the character of Jesus, that such a one may be more precious in the sight of God than the man who goes as a missionary to heathen lands, or ascends the scaffold to die for his faith.’ Gospel Workers, 1892 ed., page 217.  

‘In your patience possess ye your souls’  

1.        What warning did Christ give concerning the trials that will come upon Christians, what promise did He make and what quality did He urge upon those who suffer such trials? Luke 21:16-19.

NOTE: ‘Those who profess the truth should hold the standard high, and induce others to come up to it. I saw that some would have to walk the straight path alone. Their companions and children will not walk the self-denying pathway with them. Patience and forbearance should ever characterise the lives of those lone pilgrims, following the example of their blessed Master. They will have many trials to endure, but they have a hope that makes the soul strong, that bears them up above the trials of earth, that elevates them above scorn, derision and reproach. Those who possess a hope like this should never indulge a harsh, unkind spirit. This will only injure their own souls, and drive their friends farther from the truth. Treat them tenderly. Give them no occasion to reproach the cause of Christ; but never yield the truth to please any one. Be decided, be fixed, be established, be not of a doubtful mind. But if your companions and children will not come, if you cannot win them to yield to the claims of truth, make their lives here as pleasant as possible; for all they will ever enjoy will be this poor world. But let not your duty to them interfere with your duty to God.’ Spiritual Gifts, volume 2, page 266.  

2.        What attitude did Paul recommend that we take towards our tribulations? Romans 5:3-4.Compare James 1:2-3.

NOTE: ‘The Word does not say, “Count it all joy when ye fall under temptations,” but “when ye fall into temptations.” It is not necessary, because you fall into temptations, that you should fall under them. But it is a comfort to know when you fall into temptation that you are sons and daughters of God, and that the trying of your faith worketh - ill will, murmuring, fretfulness? No, patience! And this is an evidence to us that we are sons and daughters of God, if the trying of our faith worketh patience. But Jesus will help us because we look to God for our support and strength in every emergency. We learn a lesson in these trials. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:1-5).’ The Upward Look, page 282.