Sermon Study Guide

Q1: Icebreaker: If someone gives you a nice gift, how do you know if the giver’s intentions are good or bad? If someone takes something away from you, how do you know if that taker’s intentions are good or bad? The question of “How could a God who is good and sovereign allow good people to suffer?” is also similarly flawed in its hypothesis. Do you believe that blessing proves that God is good and loving, while suffering proves that God is evil, unloving, or lack sovereignty?

Q2: Much of human suffering is caused by human evil. This is the inevitable result of God allowing humans to have free will. How do you reconcile this in your experience when you see evil and injustice in the world?

Q3: Suffering can be a test that refines our character and purify our faith. Job underwent this testing. Like gold needing purifying, how do you feel about your faith needing testing in order to improve it? Can you give any examples of this in your life?

Q4: Suffering is an opportunity to call out to God and experience His presence and “God with us.” How has or does this truth help(ed) you in difficult times?Q5: As a Christian, how do you feel about Jesus saying that His disciples would also suffer like Jesus suffered? Is this different than what many Christians think that when they become Christians their life would only be full of blessing?

Q6: Suffering allows the church opportunities to be the church, and learn about compassion, a.k.a. being “with” them in their suffering. How does this change your idea of being the church, and of the importance of joining a LIFE Group?

Q7: There are many more cases of suffering that are hard to explain or understand. Suffering is not a math equation, but more a mystery of the human experience. In this mystery, Christians have humility and thankfulness to God. How do you feel knowing that it’s ok to say “I don’t know” in severe cases of suffering, and to simply just be there for those in need?

Q8: Which part of this message on suffering resonated with you the most? Which part surprised you the most?