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Learning to trust God

Explore trust, vulnerability, prayer and discernment in difficult situations.

1. 1. Read and discover - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Proverbs 3:5-6

   ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.

   ⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   The proverb calls for acknowledging God in decisions; trust does not remove learning, counsel or responsibility.

   Reflect

   • How can you trust God without assuming you must work everything out alone?

   Put it into practice

   Seek reliable counsel about a decision you cannot see clearly.

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2. 2. Refuge in trouble - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Psalms 46:1

   ¹ For the Chief Musician. By the sons of Korah. According to Alamoth. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

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   Understanding the passage

   The psalm portrays God as refuge amid upheaval; help in trouble acknowledges that trouble really exists.

   Reflect

   • What might seeking refuge and help in God mean during a difficult time?

   Put it into practice

   Identify a practical support network for a difficult time.

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3. 3. The Lord’s Prayer - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Matthew 6:9-13

   ⁹ Pray like this: “‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.

   ¹⁰ Let your Kingdom come. Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

   ¹¹ Give us today our daily bread.

   ¹² Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.

   ¹³ Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   The prayer joins honoring God with daily needs, forgiveness and protection; its plural language includes the community.

   Reflect

   • How does this prayer invite us to think about other people too?

   Put it into practice

   Pray each petition with another person in mind too.

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4. 4. Gethsemane - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Matthew 26:36-46

   ³⁶ Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and pray.”

   ³⁷ He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled.

   ³⁸ Then Jesus said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me.”

   ³⁹ He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.”

   ⁴⁰ He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour?

   ⁴¹ Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

   ⁴² Again, a second time he went away and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink it, your desire be done.”

   ⁴³ He came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.

   ⁴⁴ He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same words.

   ⁴⁵ Then he came to his disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

   ⁴⁶ Arise, let’s be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.”

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Jesus names his distress and asks for companionship before the cross; his prayer expresses honesty and surrender, not indifference to suffering.

   Reflect

   • What does Jesus ask of the disciples as he prays?

   Put it into practice

   Offer practical companionship to someone facing a difficult night.

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5. 5. Asking for wisdom - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   James 1:5

   ⁵ But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   James addresses people facing trials; asking for wisdom concerns faithful living rather than controlling the future.

   Reflect

   • For which difficult decision might you ask God for wisdom?

   Put it into practice

   Frame a specific question and seek responsible counsel.