A Safe Church is a Place of Hardship

While emprisoned, Paul writes his son in the faith and offers him some final words of encouragement and direction.  Our last lesson saw Paul instructing Timothy to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”  A worthy truth for churches creating a spiritually safe environment. 

Today we continue in 2 Timothy to discover another attribute of safe churches.  Paul will outline  areas of shared hardship.  He presents general cateogories which represent common sufferings amid the servants of the Savior.  Hardships related to struggles with surrender, difficulties in obeying God’s directives, and to the weariness of growing spiritually tired.

Paul does not, however, just outline these shared sufferings.  He presents a powerful means of dealing and addressing those hardships.  It is in his solution that the church has the potential to offer safety to every suffering saint.

Are you ready to practice that which will bring safe healing to the hurting brothers and sisters in your spiritual family?