G.W. Bill Elliott, Jr once noted;
Being "a loose nut" demonstrates that; though you are ready and willing to be screwed", you've not wholly commited to the idea yet.
Week:
10
Trials and Perseverance
How suffering refines faith and endurance. This module addresses the reality of hardship and how trials can deepen character and trust when met with faithful practices. It provides pastoral frameworks for lament, endurance, and meaning-making, plus community practices that sustain people through seasons of testing. The aim is resilient faith that endures without losing hope or compassion.
Objectives
Build community support items for hard seasons.
Learn practical ways to persevere.
Reframe trials as formative, not meaningless.
Reflections
What spiritual practice strengthens me in hardship?
What supports help me endure now?
How have past trials shaped my faith?
NowTo the HowTo
Accountability/Tracking
Use a shared tracker to note daily practices (rest, prayer, Scripture) and one sign of endurance.
Community Action
Form triads for mutual prayer and check ins during a current trial.
Creative Project
Compose a short, honest letter to your future self about what you’re learning in this season.
Leader Prompt
Offer pastoral language for lament and lead a brief guided lament/prayer time.
Personal Practice
Write a one paragraph “perseverance plan” listing Scripture, person, and practice to rely on in hard moments.
Devotionals
The Meaning of Suffering
Almost since the beginning of time, we have wondered, pondered, contemplated, argued, and fought over this one question; "If God is good, loving, and merciful, why does He allow suffering and pain?". The short answer is, 'He doesn't, you do'! See... suffering is actually a tool that is intended for you specifically, not the world populous in general. Sort of a separating of the sheep from the goats , as we recently discussed. Too often, we want to lump the world (the masses) into an...
Wearing Your Bearings
What? Bearings as in Ball Bearings? No, those are rarely worn, if ever. But Bearings as in 'directions', or 'route', even a 'destination point'... those bearings. Now, wearing them may seem odd, but you know me... I'm aiming to show you not only why, but how. Today's devotional is actually close to the Wandering You one in-that the focus is regarding how the Lord promised to be close to us, to lead us, and especially give us His peace, love and grace... He never falters. Isaiah 26:4 ...
Guilty by Reason of Calamity
No one really knows the intents of the heart, the core thing(s) that motivate us to do and to be like we are... many times, we don't even understand them ourselves. Too often, we go through the motions. In many ways 'powering through' some crisis or event for the sake of impressions, or your commitment to a task, or even just out of fear, guilt, or lack of strength to challenge what you've become. Our devotional today reminds us that a guilt driven life can certainly lead to more calamity...
Perseverance Preserved
There have been times when I inherited someone else's project, and had to get my head/heart wrapped around their original vision, or intent/goal for the goal and intent of it all. Until I actually 'took ownership', it was really just a half-hearted responsibility I was fulfilling. Today's devotional touches on that same lackadaisical way we approach our life with the Lord... almost like we are 'going through the motions' of someone else's vision or 'project' for our lives; be it a perceived...