What is 'hope’?. In general, hope is often understood as a desire for something good to happen in the future. However, Biblical hope is more than just wishful thinking. It is a confident expectation and desire for something good in the future, rooted in faith and trust in God's promises.
Romans 15:13, "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." God is the source of hope, and the results of this hope are joy, peace, and an overflowing abundance of hope, accessed through trust in God and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Is this different from the use of the term in secular culture? . Secular hope is often uncertain and not based on a sure foundation, resembling wishful thinking more than anything else. In contrast, Biblical hope is certain and rooted in God's promises, providing strength and assurance. For instance, consider the difference between hoping for an Alabama or Auburn football win and hoping in God's faithfulness. One is uncertain and out of our control, while the other is grounded in the unchanging character of God.
Hope is crucial for Christians. It sustains us through trials and challenges, as seen in Romans 5:3-5, which explains that suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope. Hope also gives us a future perspective and eternal outlook, as described in Hebrews 6:19, where it is called an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Furthermore, hope motivates us to live righteously and follow God's will, as mentioned in 1 John 3:3, which says that everyone who has this hope in Christ purifies themselves.
Biblical hope is a confident expectation based on God's promises, contrasting sharply with the uncertain nature of secular hope. It sustains us, provides an eternal perspective, and motivates us to live righteously.
.Here is what the series will look like:- a forward-looking perspective, emphasizing the ultimate hope Christians have in eternal life and glory with God
Week 1: Introduction to Biblical Hope
Main Focus: Define Biblical hope and contrast it with secular views.
Key Verse: Romans 15:13 – "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."
Discussion Points:
What is hope?
Difference between hope and wishful thinking.
Importance of hope in a believer's life.
Week 2: Abraham – Hope in God's Promises
Main Focus: Abraham's faith and hope in God's promises.
Key Verse: Hebrews 6:13-15 – "When God made his promise to Abraham, ... And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised."
Discussion Points:
Abraham's journey of faith.
Hope through patience and trust in God's timing.
Week 3: Moses – Hope in God's Deliverance
Main Focus: Moses' hope in God's deliverance of Israel.
Key Verse: Exodus 14:13-14 – "Moses answered the people, 'Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today.'"
Discussion Points:
The Exodus story.
Overcoming fear and trusting in God’s deliverance.
Week 4: David in the Psalms – Hope in God's Faithfulness
Main Focus: David's expressions of hope amidst trials.
Key Verse: Psalm 42:11 – "Why, my soul, are you downcast? ... Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."
Discussion Points:
Psalms of lament and trust.
David’s reliance on God’s faithfulness.
Week 5: Elijah – Hope in God's Presence
Main Focus: Elijah's hope during times of despair.
Key Verse: 1 Kings 19:11-13 – "The Lord said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.'"
Discussion Points:
Elijah's encounter with God.
Finding hope in God’s presence during discouragement.
Week 6: Peter – Hope in Restoration
Main Focus: Peter’s hope after his denial of Christ.
Key Verse: 1 Peter 1:3 – "Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
Discussion Points:
Peter’s denial and restoration.
The living hope through Jesus’ resurrection.
Week 7: James – Hope in Trials
Main Focus: James’ teaching on hope amidst trials.
Key Verse: James 1:2-4 – "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds..."
Discussion Points:
Trials as a testing of faith.
Perseverance and hope through difficult times.
Week 8: Paul – Hope in the Gospel
Main Focus: Paul’s hope in the gospel message.
Key Verse: Romans 5:3-5 – "Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."
Discussion Points:
Paul’s sufferings and hope.
The transformative power of the gospel.
Week 9: Jesus – The Source of Hope
Main Focus: Jesus as the ultimate source of hope.
Key Verse: John 14:1-3 – "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me..."
Discussion Points:
Jesus’ promises to his followers.
Hope through Jesus’ words and actions.
Week 10: The Early Church – Hope in Community
Main Focus: Hope within the early Christian community.
Key Verse: Acts 2:42-47 – "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
Discussion Points:
The role of community in sustaining hope.
Examples from the Acts of the Apostles.
Week 11: Our Hope in Glory
Main Focus: Exploring the Christian hope of eternal life and glory with God.
Key Verse: 1 Corinthians 15:52-53 – "In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality."
Discussion Points:
The promise of resurrection and eternal life.
New heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1-4).
The nature of our glorified bodies (Philippians 3:20-21).
The ultimate fulfillment of hope in Christ’s return and reign.
Encouragement to live in light of eternity (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
I invite your prayers, comments, stories, analogies, testimonies as we begin this on Sept 1.
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