Session Recap:
How have you been applying what you've learned and your action plan(s)?
- If you haven't, what has hindered you?
- How do we overcome it this week?
Ask:
What do you believe about suffering? What is its purpose and why does it happen?
How do you differentiate between suffering and the consequences for our sin?
Teaching Time:
Application:
Read James:1:2-4
- What does this passage teach us about the purpose of trials & suffering?
- Why can we “consider it joy” as we walk through trials?
Read 1 Peter 1:3-9
- What does this passage teach us about suffering?
- How do we find hope in the midst of suffering?
- Is suffering forever?
- What does this passage teach us about the purpose of trials and suffering?
Read Romans 5:1-5
- What does this passage teach us about suffering?
Read Philippians 3:7-10
- What does this passage teach us about Paul’s view of suffering?
Read 2 Cor 4:16-18
- What does this passage teach us about how we walk through suffering?
Read Romans 8:28
- How does this truth help us navigate trials and suffering in our lives?
Read 2 Cor 1:3-11
- What does it mean that God comforts us in our trouble?
- Why does God comfort us?
- How does our conversation today change your view of suffering?
Where do we get it wrong?
- God has promised all Christians ease, happiness, and comfort in this life. The Bible is clear that God is not working to deliver to us our personal definition of happiness. He is after something far better, our holiness.
- Suffering is God punishing us. As a Christian, God cannot punish us for sin that Jesus has already paid for in full on the cross! It would defy His character.
- God will eliminate all suffering on this side of eternity. Although God can heal, we must never presume that he must, on this side of heaven. God does heal in some situations. However, in some, He does not. In the Bible, we see both healing and suffering used for His glory!
- How could a good God allow all this evil and suffering in the world? Every person at some point in their life will probably wrestle with this question. Here’s what we have to understand. For God to eliminate evil means that he would have to eliminate all evil which would include me and you. Right now, God has offered grace to all sinners and an opportunity to repent before His 2nd coming where he will eradicate evil once and for all!
Useful Tools
Suffering: Gospel Hope When Life Doesn't Make Sense
GO TO SESSION 18: SPIRITUAL WARFARE