REAL MEN
REAL MEN STRUGGLE
REAL MEN #7 of 7 – Habakkuk
This is a complete lesson.
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Give some
examples of things that have happened in this world that just seem unfair or do
not make sense.
L
Why do Christians
sometimes struggle with the will of God?
L
Why do Christians
struggle with things that do not appear fair or just on God’s part?
L
What current
events might test the faith of some Christians?
Habakkuk was a man who struggled with the evil that
was around Him and how God appeared to be handling it. Although Habakkuk
struggled, he came out victorious.
Habakkuk lived in what we would call the Southern
FAITH TESTED – 1:1-2:1
COMPLAINT - Vss. 1-4
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Habakkuk had a
"burden". He was carrying a heavy load. Vs. 1
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According to
Verse 2, what does Habakkuk’s problem appear to be? Do we ever have a similar
problem?
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Habakkuk
describes more clearly the sins that he was concerned about in verse 3. Have
you seen similar problems in “Christian America”?
Ø
Habakkuk
complains about the perversion of justice in verse 4.
Ø
Was Habakkuk
right to complain?
CONSOLATION - Vss. 5-11
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Vs. 5 - God
graciously answers Habakkuk and tells him that He is going to do something
Habakkuk won't believe.
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Vss. 6-11 - God
tells Habakkuk that He will judge
CONFUSION - Vss. 12-17
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Habakkuk appears
to have accepted God's answer in verse 12.
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However, Habakkuk
became very confused in verses
13 -17.
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Why was Habakkuk
confused? Vss. 14-17
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Can you relate to
Habakkuk’s confusion?
CONFIDENCE - 2:1
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Yes, Habakkuk was
confused, but he decided to wait on God for an answer to his confusion.
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Why was this a wise move on Habakkuk’s part?
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Had Habakkuk lost
his faith?
FAITH TRUSTING – 2:1-20
PARTICULARS ABOUT THE PROPHET - Vss. 1-3
·
In his trust we
find Habakkuk:
Watching - Vs. 1
Writing - Vs. 2
Waiting - Vs. 3
·
Why are these
three good disciplines to practice when we struggle with what God is doing?
·
What was the
premise that Habakkuk was making that allowed him watch, write, and wait
without being totally frustrated or abandoning his faith?
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THE JUST - Vs. 4
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"The just
shall live by his faith."
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How is this an encouragement?
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How do we go about
living by faith?
WARNINGS FOR THE WICKED - Vss. 5-19
·
What groups are
warned in these verses?
·
Why are these
verses comforting?
·
Why are these
verses disturbing?
REMINDER FOR THE RIGHTEOUS - Vs. 20
·
What is
significant about the Lord being in His holy temple?
·
How should a
silent earth comfort us?
FAITH TRIUMPHANT – 3:17-19
REALITY OF TRAGEDY - Vs. 17
V
What are some of
the tragedies we might be forced to face?
V
Is it wrong to
consider the possibilities of tragedy and what our response will be?
REJOICING IN TRAGEDY - Vs. 18
V
Habakkuk is
saying, "No matter what happens, I am going to rejoice in the
Lord." Some reasons why I can
rejoice in tragedy:
1. God is the God of my
salvation. He is my deliverer in
this life, and the
one who has saved me so I have no fear
of hell, but anxious anticipation of
Heaven.
2. God doesn't change.
Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8
3. God says to rejoice in all
situations. Psalm 118:24,
1 Thessalonians 5:16, Philippians 4:4.