Part 40 | The Struggle is Necessary

The focus of this lesson is on the encouragement Paul and Barnabas gave the disciples on their return journey: “It is necessary to go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God.” As they went and recounted the story of their missionary work, the focus was on the positive results for the gentiles, rather than the personal struggles and sufferings of Paul and Barnabas. Struggle was expected. It wasn’t a sign that things had gone badly. The goal of this lesson is to exhort people to reset their expectations in following the Lord. Following the Lord doesn’t make life easier. Christian life isn’t focused on making things easier - it’s focused on making things better. You can’t make things better without struggle.