Don’t Grow Weary or Lose Heart

2 Cor. 4:1 Because Paul and Timothy had the ministry of preaching the gospel to people (3:5, 6), having been recipients of this gospel and of mercy (in being saved), what weren’t they to do?

Do you ever lose heart (become demotivated, feel like giving up and quitting) and want to stop doing the ministry that God has given you to do of evangelizing the spiritually lost (Matt. 28:19, 20) and building up believers spiritually (Rom. 14:19; 1 Thes. 5:11; Eph. 4:11-13)? Why?

What can you do to prevent losing heart in evangelizing and/or building up Christians spiritually, and why that?

2 Cor. 4:16 Because Paul and Timothy are sure of a glorious resurrection and are satisfied that their present sufferings and labors will advance the glory of God (vss. 11-15), what don’t they do?

How does Paul view suffering for Jesus and the spreading of the gospel – vs. 17?

Have you ever become discouraged and given up the spreading of the gospel, following up new converts, or training faithful Christians because of pressure, criticism, or persecution that you’ve received for doing these things, and why?

How do you view suffering for the cause of Christ, and why?

1 Cor. 15:58 Because Christians will be resurrected from the dead, what are they told to be?

Why else should we be this way?

Would you consider yourself steadfast, immovable, and always abounding in the work of the Lord (i.e., doing initiative/aggressive evangelism and building up and training believers)? Why?

If not, what would it take for you to be this way?

Do you view your toil in serving the Lord as not in vain, even if you don’t see results or are not given thanks by the people you minister to, and why?

Lk. 18:1 What was the point of Jesus telling His disciples this parable?

Have you ever gotten to the point in your prayer-life where you were ready to quit praying because nothing seemed to be happening (i.e., no answers to prayer) and you felt that praying was useless or a waste of time?

What can you do to not lose heart in praying, and why that?

Gal. 6:9 What shouldn’t we lose heart in, and why?

Is reaping rewards from God enough motivation for you to not lose heart in doing good, and why?

Who are we to do good to – vs. 10?

Are you doing this? If so, how specifically?

Have you ever lost heart in doing good? If so, when and why?

Why do think God wants us to especially do good to those of the household/family of the faith (i.e., Christians)?

Eph. 3:13 What weren’t these Ephesian Christians to lose heart at, and why?

Knowing that all Christians have confident access to God through faith in Christ Jesus (vss. 11, 12), have you ever lost heart at another Christian’s tribulations after you realized that they were incurred (i.e., the tribulations) because of their sharing the gospel with you or building you up spiritually?

Or, have you ever been discouraged or depressed because a godly Christian you looked up to was going through some really tough times, and you thought it was unfair?

Heb. 12:3 Why are we to consider Christ’s being able to endure hostility by sinners against Himself?

Do testings, trials, and/or suffering for the cause of Christ and/or what is right ever cause you to grow weary, lose heart, or become slack in your commitment to Christ?

If so, what can you do to change or to prevent this?

Would thinking about Jesus’ example of how He patiently endured, persevered, and kept going in spite of persecution help you to not grow weary or lose heart? If so, how?

How are we to run the race (i.e., the course of our Christian life) that is set before us (vs. 1)?

Are you running/living with endurance your Christian life, or are you growing tired of being holy in Christ-like character and obeying God (in evangelizing, helping believers grow spiritually, or any other biblical commands), and why?

2 Thes. 3:13 What are these Christians told not to grow weary of?

Are you tired of being self-sacrificing, kind, generous, or helpful, and why?

Is there any other good thing that you grow weary of doing (e.g., listening to people, running errands for people, cleaning for people, etc.)?

If you are or ever have been, what makes or made you so?

What can you do to prevent this from happening, and will you?

1 Cor. 9:23-27 How are we to run the race of the Christian life – vs. 24?

Are you living/running the Christian life in such a way that you may win, and why?

If you are, how?

What do we need to exercise in order to win – vs. 25?

Are you disciplined/self-controlled as a Christian, or are you tired of living a disciplined life for God, and why?

Why should you buffet your body and make it your slave?

Are you trying to make sure that you don’t disqualify yourself from God’s rewards, or does it matter to you anymore, and why?

If the former, how are you making sure you don’t disqualify yourself, but rather keep running/going?

Rev. 2:2, 3 For what does God commend the Church at Ephesus – vs. 3?

Could God say this of you as a summary of your life?

If not, what will it take to motivate you to do so, and why that?