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Study Guide

The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment.5

Pages 60-73

1. The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment.5

   Pages 60-73

   1. Restate the ninth element of Christian contentment in your own words.
   2. Remember that “grace” involves every good which one receives from God – not merely the initial moment of salvation. Burroughs says that the grace gives to see something even trial and affliction.
   3. The tenth element tells us to perform an action. When we consider an affliction, how must we think of this in light of Jesus’ life?
   4. On the top of page 61, Burroughs writes that poverty cannot afflict if what is true?
   5. Read Romans 8:28-29: What is the point of God doing us good? What is God’s goal?
   6. If Jesus Christ has done something or suffered something, who are we to think that we are above it?
   7. Read Hebrews 13:11-15 & Matthew 16:24-25. How should we understand the nature of life in light of the way in which Jesus lived?[1]
   8. What is the 11^th element of  contentment?
   9. Read Hebrews 2:14-18, 4:14-16 & 8:1.
   10. How does understanding the nature of Jesus’ life affect us? How can we obtain help from Jesus?
   11. Read Colossians 1:11 & the top paragraph on page 64.  What is available to us from Jesus? How do we usually settle to live? Why do you think that is so?
   12. Should we expect that true Christian contentment is the result of our own efforts? (bottom of page 64)
   13. What is the 12 element of contentment?
   14. What does it mean that one “has God” in some circumstance? From whom do all blessings come? Matthew 5:45. Who gives the ability to enjoy a blessing? Ecclesiastes 6:1-3.
   15. Read the top of page 66:  What is the creature (anything in all creation) as to the blessing of God? What is that truly satisfies a human being in some-thing or some circumstance?
   16. Is God willing to lose any affection from you?(bottom 66)
   17. Augustine wrote, “For he loves You too little who loves anything with You, which he loves not for You” (Confessions 10.29).  If we love anything for any reason other than it came from God, then we do not love it rightly. How does this understanding affect your contentment?
   18. What is the “happiness of heaven”? Page 67
   19. On the top of page 69, Burroughs refers to a bird. What does this image mean?
   20. What is the 13^th element of contentment?
   21. What is the procedure which Burroughs lays out on the bottom of page 69 to achieve contentment?
   22. Consider a trial or difficulty which currently faces you. Do you know of any promise from God which applies to your situation?
   23. Burroughs then considers some objections: What is the first object and the general answer to the problem?
   24. What three liberties does God have (page 71)?
   25. Burroughs then responds to the question: What if I do have to suffer some ill. He gives two answers. What does he mean by there is no true evil in our sorrows? What must we do when we are faced with a trial?
   26. Consider some difficulty which currently stands before you and ask (this may take some searching of the Scripture)
       1. What good of God does grace permit me to see in the trial?
       2. How must we consider our trial in light of Jesus’ life?
       3. Have you/how have you sought strength from God in the midst of trial? What would strength look like (the ability to change the circumstance or to change your heart)?
       4. Have you considered “the happiness of heaven” in light of your trial?
       5. Have you loved any-thing for its own sake and not for the sake of Jesus Christ?
       6. What promises apply to your trial?
       7. Have you considered God’s liberties with respect to your circumstance?
       8. Have you mistakenly seen some evil in the trial?
       9. Have you sought out God’s purpose in the trial?

    

   [1]

   Jesus, I my cross have taken,
   All to leave and follow Thee;
   Destitute, despised, forsaken,
   Thou from hence my All shalt be.