First listen to the sermon (posts Sun. afternoon). Then use the ideas below to help you and your group apply what the Lord is teaching you. Icebreaker idea: Which kid would you be in The Marshmallow Test? (If you haven't seen the video, you can find it here.) What could the researchers offer instead of marshmallows that would make it too irresistible for you to wait?

A way to pray: Pray for the people brought up in the Loving Others question below.

For discussion:

• Treasuring God: What is the confident hope Christians have about the future? How does this hope strengthen us in times of trial?
• Being Transformed: What does it mean to rejoice even while we're grieved by various trials? How can we do this practically?
• Loving Others: Who in my life needs to know about this strength we can have and to find it in Jesus the way I have?
• Pursuing Unity: When we suffer, how can we remind ourselves and each other of this "good news" that has been so precious to prophets and even angels?