Hope

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.[1]

Overcome the World

Say something like this:

One man entered history, not by accident, but by voluntary choice. That man entered from outside the room—something no one else ever did. He was a carpenter, and he made a door in the room of our hopelessness. He said, “I am the door. If anyone exits after me, he will get out.” Having made the door, he himself went out of the room and made a way for us. He is the way, the truth, the life … the exit!

What Jesus, the carpenter, says is this: through him you can enter a new life, abundant and full. It is easy to feel despair when you read the headlines, become aware of the condition of the world, and, at the same time, are critically aware of your own inner conflicts. But Jesus said, “Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NLT). With his new light, we get a new task in life. It becomes our responsibility to make the world a better place, and we have the power to actually make a difference.

And if we know Christ, we can be assured that he knows what we are going through. He has suffered for us. We can also know that Christ is the goal of history. He will come again. He thus gives us a new outlook on the future. Everything is now different. There is no longer a misty, sinister landscape. And, if the last hour belongs to us, we do not need to fear the next minute.

*We Have Hope

Emphasize the main truths. They are:

1. God is in control of the world.

2. What we see around us is not the whole story—eternity waits.

3. God loves us individually, in the middle of our problems.

4. Real hope is ours through Christ.

5. No matter what we are facing or where we are, we can never be lost to God’s love.

6. We can overcome whatever we have to face through Christ’s strength.

7. We should bring hope to the world, telling people about Christ and working for peace and justice.

Prayer

Have the students get into three circles and pray together. They should pray around the circle with everyone praying a sentence. The first time around, encourage them to thank God for the hope Christ has given. The second time around, they should pray for friends who are still “without hope.”