BOTTOM LINE: When the struggle is real, remember that the struggle is worth it.

1. Jesus sees my struggle.

2. I'm not expected to do it alone.

3. Jesus comes close and offers rescue when I need it most.

4. The most important work is Kingdom work.

Start Talking

When have you had to really struggle to get through something or make something work, but deep down you knew it would be worth it? What were the hardest parts of the struggle? When were there times that you began to wonder if you would really get through it? How did this experience help you when you faced a similar struggle the next time?

Start Thinking

Skim over Luke chapters 2-6 to get a context of what Jesus is in the midst of. What are some of the big things you notice that Jesus is doing? How busy, tired, or other emotions do you think He was experiencing? What do you think it means about His heart that he took the time to go to Peter's house and heal his mother-in-law? What should we take from this for our lives?

The essence of the Gospel is that sin ruined God's perfect creation and every person who has lived since then has struggled with the consequences, but Jesus came to defeat sin and give victory over those consequences. Now Read Luke 4:38-39 and do two things.

1. Paraphrase this short story in a way that you could retell it to someone. Make it a story that is conversational and allows you to share it without even opening a Bible.

2. How does this story you've told show the Gospel at work? Where do you see the effects and consequences of sin and where do you see Jesus' redemptive work that defeats sin and its consequences?

Start Sharing

When have you felt alone in a struggle and wondered if God was there or even saw it? What made you doubt that he saw your struggle? Read Deuteronomy 31:8. What sticks out to you or even surprises you about this verse? How can that serve as a faith-builder for you when you face a struggle?

Read Luke 4:38 again in the NIV. Thankfully this lady had Jesus AND a community of faith around her when she was struggling! But if we're honest, we often don't let this happen for us. When are you most likely to try to get through a struggle on your own, without truly leaning on Jesus and without letting your faith community help? At the same time, when have you experienced Jesus and your faith community getting you through a struggle, maybe even because you were like Peter's mother-in-law and finally got to a place that you had no choice?

Start Doing

What can you do or what do you do every day to stay close to Jesus in your struggles and to be part of a faith community so you can reach out in your struggles and be with others when they struggle?

What is the Kingdom-work that you have been called to and that you want to make the most important priority in your life above anything else?

Think about a struggle that God has gotten you through. Now tell your story with that struggle overlayed with the Gospel message. Follow the "Before Jesus - Jesus - After Jesus" model. For example, someone might say,

Before Jesus
"My marriage was on the rocks and we were struggling. I didn't think we were going to make it and I felt all alone. I was approaching my marriage and my family without Jesus being the center.

Jesus
But then I surrendered my struggle to Jesus. I asked Him to show me where my heart was hardened and I began to pray every day for my family.

After Jesus
It wasn't easy, but I felt Jesus with me and realized I wasn't alone no matter what happened. My heart began to heal and I learned where I needed to make some changes, and now our family has a foundation of faith that we are building on."

Start Praying

Share a struggle you are going through or have been through recently. Share how the faith community around you, your micro church, can ask Jesus to help you like Peter's community did for his mother-in-law. Pray for each other in your struggles, and ask God to use the story of these struggles to show the power of the Gospel to the people in your lives where you live, work, and play.