As we know Jesus became like humankind so that he could pay for our sins and help us as we suffer and are tempted. Christ shared our humanity so that through his suffering he could defy death. Since he suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help us when we are tempted. We see Jesus—who, like us, was made a little lower than the angels—struggle with suffering and temptation and yet be faithful and continue to experience the love of God.

To suffer means to endure death, pain, or distress, to sustain loss or damage. As adults we may still be affected by our good and bad experiences of childhood and these often control how we act and react to life. Many of these experiences test our faith and beliefs. Many people have experienced death through the loss of loved ones and still have a fear of death that is difficult to understand. Perhaps death is so fearful because it is difficult to understand.

As stewards, it is our challenge to face suffering knowing that even as we are in pain or distress, that God is guiding us through the struggle.

—George and Linda Howton

• How does Paul show our kinship with Christ? Why do you think this is an important point for Paul to make to his readers?
• Would you agree or disagree that we are affected by our experiences as children? If yes, how?
• Why do we fear death?
• What tests our beliefs as Christians? How can we better equip ourselves for this testing?

How Do I Act?

1. Have a detailed family discussion with your children about your ancestry. Discuss how their heritage or family history affects them. Do some research as a family about your ancestral roots. You may want to plan a family trip to some of the areas in which your family has lived.
2. List ways we have control over the world. List ways we do not.
3. List and reflect on people who suffer for the benefit of a cause such as Mother Teresa or Martin Luther King, Jr. Do research about their lives and present some of that information to a special class or as a special worship service for Labor Day, World-wide Communion or All Saints day.
4. Think about your church members. Try to identify those who might be suffering in some way. Plan a “quiet ministry” (something that won’t be publicized to the entire congregation, but in a quiet way will minister to their needs) to do for them.

Photo by Tyler Nix on Unsplash