02/12/09- Sole Survivor
Think back to August and the late nights and even later mornings that characterized your summer.  Every once in a while, did you ever try to forecast what this year would look like?  Did you ever attempt to guess the contents of the package that was YOUR 2007-2008 SCHOOL YEAR?  

We all try to guess what life will give us, and rarely ever come close.  The one consistent thing we find in every stage of life is that TOUGH TIMES seem to be apart of the ever changing landscape that is the teen years.  Battles at school.  Chaos at home.  Struggle to not get swept away by the powerful tide of peer pressure and temptation.  Working so hard to keep up with homework or college applications.  In the middle of it all, challenges seem to be tracking us down!

How do you get through the challenges that seem to shipwreck so many?  In a culture of broken down lives, is it possible to be a SOLE SURVIVOR?  How do you endure harships?

Pretty tough questions, I know! Take a look at this devotional, and if you've got a few minutes, write down some of your thoughts on each of the questions.

All you need is...
Bible
Notebook
Pen/Pencil
15 minutes


How to Endure Tough Times

•    What's been the most difficult situation you have ever encountered?
•    What did you learn from that experience?
•    When you face a challenging time of your life, do you usually enlist help or do it alone?
•    Who do you go to for help?
•    Why do is it so easy to face it alone?

How to Endure Challenging Times:

1.  Read God's Word
"If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction."  Ps. 119:92
•    What kept David from perishing during his suffering?
•    How does God's Word help us to endure tough times?
•    Why is it so tough to pick up that Bible when we need it the most?
•    Do you have a story where the Bible helped you out of a challenging season?

2.  Realize Trials are Character Building
"We rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."  Romans 5:3,4
•    How is character produced?
•    How do trials help to build our character?
•    Have you ever noticed that trials REVEAL where your character currently is?
•    Is it safe to say that the only way to become more like Jesus is to go through challenges?

3.  Reach out to SOMEONE ELSE
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God."  2 Corinthians 1:3,4
•    What does God call himself in this passage?
•    Why does God work so hard in comforting us during our challenges?
•    Can you think of a time where He comforted you?
•    How have you reached out to people in their tough times?

Conclusion:
•    How does God help you to endure during tough times?
•    What tough times can we support you in?