When a baby cries at two in the morning, the child wants comfort. Either he is hungry or cold or needs some other attention from his parent. All of us call out in one way or another for comfort or encouragement at times. The word comfort means to make comfortable, relieve pain, or solve some problem. We live in a world full of hurts and pain and loneliness. Jesus set the perfect pattern for all of us to stand with others and give comfort and support when it is needed. The Bible speaks of comfort many times.
1. Genesis 24:67. Isaac was the son of Abraham and Sarah. When Sarah died, Isaac was sad and Rebekah comforted him. When have you needed comfort?
2. Job 2:11; 16:1–5. How did Job’s three friends show him comfort? What happened later with Job and his friends? How did Job react? How can we show true comfort to someone who is grieving?
3. Psalm 94:19. When David felt anxiety-ridden, where did he find comfort? What did God’s comfort do for David? How does God offer us help?
4. Isaiah 40:1–2. What commission did God give to Isaiah? How was he to speak to Israel? What was his message of comfort?
5. Isaiah 51:3. What good message did God have for Israel after their defeat and ruin? What would happen to their wastelands? Why can God’s people sing again?
6. Matthew 2:16–18. Who was Rachel and what happened to her children? What were the circumstances of that tragedy? What is our hope in the face of sorrow?
7. John 14:1–16, 26–27. Why were the disciples saddened? What did Jesus promise to do for them? What does the Comforter do for believers?
8. Acts 9:26–31. How did the early Christians have the comfort of the Holy Spirit? What had they faced? How does the Holy Spirit strengthen and help us today?
9. Romans 15:1–4. How did the events of the past teach the followers of Jesus? How do we find comfort today in God’s Word?
10. 2 Corinthians 1:3–7. Why did Paul write that God is the God of all comfort? When does God comfort us? How do our experiences prepare us to comfort others?
1. Genesis 24:67. Isaac was the son of Abraham and Sarah. When Sarah died, Isaac was sad and Rebekah comforted him. When have you needed comfort?
2. Job 2:11; 16:1–5. How did Job’s three friends show him comfort? What happened later with Job and his friends? How did Job react? How can we show true comfort to someone who is grieving?
3. Psalm 94:19. When David felt anxiety-ridden, where did he find comfort? What did God’s comfort do for David? How does God offer us help?
4. Isaiah 40:1–2. What commission did God give to Isaiah? How was he to speak to Israel? What was his message of comfort?
5. Isaiah 51:3. What good message did God have for Israel after their defeat and ruin? What would happen to their wastelands? Why can God’s people sing again?
6. Matthew 2:16–18. Who was Rachel and what happened to her children? What were the circumstances of that tragedy? What is our hope in the face of sorrow?
7. John 14:1–16, 26–27. Why were the disciples saddened? What did Jesus promise to do for them? What does the Comforter do for believers?
8. Acts 9:26–31. How did the early Christians have the comfort of the Holy Spirit? What had they faced? How does the Holy Spirit strengthen and help us today?
9. Romans 15:1–4. How did the events of the past teach the followers of Jesus? How do we find comfort today in God’s Word?
10. 2 Corinthians 1:3–7. Why did Paul write that God is the God of all comfort? When does God comfort us? How do our experiences prepare us to comfort others?