Luke 8: ¹³The seeds that fell on rocky ground are the people who gladly hear the message and accept it. But they don't have deep roots, and they believe only for a little while. As soon as life gets hard, they give up. (CEV)
1. How and why are deep spiritual roots developed?

James 1: ¹⁴We are tempted by our own desires that drag us off and trap us. ¹⁵Our desires make us sin, and when sin is finished with us, it leaves us dead. Heb 12: ⁶The Lord corrects the people he loves and disciplines those he calls his own." .... ¹⁰Our human fathers correct us for a short time, and they do it as they think best. But God corrects us for our own good, because he wants us to be holy, as he is. ¹¹It is never fun to be corrected. In fact, at the time it is always painful. But if we learn to obey by being corrected, we will do right and live at peace. (CEV)
2. Tell us how the best kind of corrections come.

James 1: ²My friends, be glad, even if you have a lot of trouble. ³You know that you learn to endure by having your faith tested. ⁴But you must learn to endure everything, so that you will be completely mature and not lacking in anything. (CEV)
Romans 5: ³.... We gladly suffer, because we know that suffering helps us to endure. ⁴And endurance builds character, which gives us a hope ⁵that will never disappoint us. (CEV)
3. Why or why not should we be ready to welcome trouble?

1 Peter 2: ²⁰.... God will bless you, if you have to suffer for doing something good. ²¹God chose you to suffer as you follow in the footsteps of Christ, who set an example by suffering for you. (CEV)
4. How does suffering equal exercise?

2 Corinthians 4: ¹⁷These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing. Romans 8: ¹⁸I am sure that what we are suffering now cannot compare with the glory that will be shown to us.... ²⁸We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him. They are the ones God has chosen for his purpose... (CEV)
5. How can suffering now prepare us for eternal glory?

Lam 3: ¹⁹Just thinking of my troubles and my lonely wandering makes me miserable. ²⁰That's all I ever think about, and I am depressed. ²¹Then I remember something that fills me with hope. ²²The LORD'S kindness never fails! .... ²⁴Deep in my heart I say, "The LORD is all I need; I can depend on him!" .... ²⁷When we are young, it is good to struggle hard ²⁸and to sit silently alone, if this is what the LORD intends. ²⁹Being rubbed in the dirt can teach us a lesson; ³⁰we can also learn from insults and hard knocks.... ³³The LORD doesn't enjoy sending grief or pain. (CEV)
6. How can we come to realize that the Lord is all that we need?

Please study the above references and then add your observations and applications:
Observations                                                             Applications
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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