Part 2 – Trust God When You Suffer
Leader Guide
Wisdom that comes from God is loving and just. But during suffering, it is better to seek God than understanding. It is more important to be in His presence than to discuss, dissect, and philosophize about pain. Whether you are in the middle of a situation, or you are the “friend” who should be supportive, make sure that you seek God, not the answer to “Why, God?”
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. In hindsight, are there some past trials and pains that make sense to you now? Are there some sorrows that you feel will not be made clear to you until you speak to Jesus in heaven?
2. Read Job 1:1-12. What type of man was Job? How are you certain of this from Scripture? How do you explain the “wager” that occurred next? To be clear about the background for the rest of Job’s story, read Job 1:13-22. How does this make you feel?
Leader’s Note: Job was “blameless” and “a man of complete integrity”. “He feared God,” stayed away from evil.
3. Read Job 10:1-3, 7-8, 13-16. After the disasters and Job having suffered in silence for over a week, what does He begin to do? Have you ever come to the point of challenging God? Wishing for death? If you are still in that place, ask your group to pray for you. If you are on the other side of that crisis of faith, share how God drew near to you. Read Job 10:18-19. Job repeatedly wants to know why God has afflicted Him. What is wrong with that question? What do you think of this point from the message: “Instead of seeking the ‘why,’ seek God.”
Leader’s Note: Job began to complain, accusing God of injustice and bullying him, of being punished without knowing His crime. He incorrectly blamed God for his troubles and accuses God of laughing at his suffering. The basic question is wrong: Why is God afflicting him? First, it was not God. But even if... Don’t seek the “why.” Seek God. He is the answer, the source of peace, hope, and love. Leaning into Him provides the strength, comfort, and wisdom you need to get through to the other side, even if the result is death and you do not understand during your lifetime.
4. Read some of the “wisdom” of Job’s friends: Job 4:8 and 22:9-10. Does any of this sound “right” to you? Read Job’s response in Job 13:7. When God weighs in in Job 42:7, we understand where they went wrong. What should you not do as a friend in a crisis situation?
Leader’s Note: The platitudes of the friends DO make sense to us, but they are wrong. We do not have to fill in the blanks and answer the question on behalf of God. We don’t need to defend Him; and we don’t know anyway! Our place is not to create new rules or explain anything for God. The best comfort we can give is our presence. We can mourn with those who mourn and listen when they question God but be careful not to give trite answers or worldly wisdom.
5. Rather than the theories put forth by Job’s friends, what are three of the causes of suffering in our world? (See the Deeper section for more verses and examples) Rather, what can we be sure of? Read Romans 8:28-29. Even Job, amid his suffering, recognizes this principle: read Job 23:10. What wonderful thing happened to Job in the middle of his suffering? Read Job 42:5-6.
Leader’s Note: 1. Fallen Man (our free will, decisions, and the consequences of them);
2. Broken World (diseases, sin, the world systems, and natural disasters);
3. Spiritual Realm: (battles in spiritual realms; the glory of God revealed through a testimony of suffering; things we may never understand, such as Satan’s attack on Job).
For example, God did not cause the blind man to be blind (John 9:1-3). In the same way, He didn’t attack Job. He doesn’t cause evil or suffering, but He can take it and make something new and beautiful out of it. It can make you more like Christ. In the end, Job was content to repent of his pride and questioning, and just rejoice that he has really seen / met God.
6. Action Steps: If you are suffering (or when it comes...and it will), decide to pursue God: Double down on your personal quiet time with Him. Choose to draw near to your church family and be encouraged in the messages and in your Life Group. Don’t pull away. Choose to worship and sing praises: this is an act of faith and gratitude in the middle of your pain. Don’t just talk about prayer and your needs. Actually spend time praying, alone and with others.
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
7. Discuss these verses on suffering. What are the causes of suffering in each? Is it found in the verse(s)? What is the benefit of the trial in each? Do you know from this passage? What can you learn and apply to your life, troubles, and attitudes?
a. Luke 13:1-5: LN - Jesus says it was not due to their sin but reaffirms that ALL will die in their sins if they do not repent and turn to God. We see that all of us will suffer death (unless we are alive when Jesus returns) and all of us need Jesus to save us.
b. 1 Peter 5:10: LN – Peter makes it seem probable, even commonplace, for believers to suffer. Yet it will be “a little while” in comparison to eternity. Also, Christ Himself will be with us, restoring, confirming, strengthening, and establishing us during and after the trial.
c. 2 Corinthians 12:7–10: LN – Though Paul had many credits and accomplishments, he was humbled and kept dependent upon God because of the suffering (the thorn in his flesh) that the Lord refused to remove. Instead, the power of God shown through his life, instead of pride and arrogance.
d. Job 13:15: LN – Job goes to the “worst case scenario” and says he will still praise God. Unlike Peter, who just a few hours later denied Christ, I think Job would have remained faithful. But he also says he will defend his ways, his faithfulness and uprightness, to God. He will ask God why. This is the hope we have... that we can honestly ask God, “Why?” We can bring our doubts to God, but we must continue to lean in and draw close, even when we are struggling and experiencing doubt.