Sometimes life is easy and fun. Other times, it is heartbreaking. In those difficult times, we can doubt God, His goodness, and His power. Sometimes we feel as if God has turned His back on us. How could a good God allow such terrible things to happen? This week, let’s discuss how suffering and a good God are not mutually exclusive.
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 participating 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. What is the worst sting, sore, or bite you can remember? Why was that particular one so painful, itchy, or irritating?
Leader Note: Try to keep it entertaining, lighthearted, and not humiliating. Don’t force anyone to share or go around in a circle and make it awkward for those who prefer not to.
2. Read Job 1:1, 6-12, 2-22. What do we know about Job from God’s Word? Where does this conversation take place? Who brings up Job’s name first? Have you ever heard the phrase “hedge of protection” before? Why did God give permission for the testing of Job? How did Job do in this test? How would you have handled it?
Leader Note: Job was a good and godly man, blameless and upright, who feared God. So first off, we see sin was not the cause of the troubles and suffering that came upon Job and his family. Satan was allowed to enter the presence of God with the angels and talk to Him. God brings up Job as an example of a good person who is not interested in evil. God also gives Satan permission to test Job and see whether Job would “curse God to His face” during his troubles. Instead, Job worshipped God, blessed Him, and did not sin. (Also, people often pray for “a hedge of protection;” this is where that theology occurs in the Bible.)
3. Adjust your expectations. Read Job 2:5-10. Satan returns to God’s presence, complaining that material loss is not the real test. What does he suggest will change Job’s attitude? What then happens to Job? How do he and his wife respond differently? How does this passage teach you to also “Adjust your expectations”?
Leader Note: Satan asks to attack Job’s person and God allows him to totally take his health (but not his life). He is racked with sores and boils. (Have you ever had even one? Horrible!) Even though his wife gives up on God, Job rebukes her and trusts God, reminding her that after all the good they have received, they need to continue to trust God through the tough times (evil).
4. Seek God instead of speaking for God. Read Job 42:7-9. Most of Job is the musings and philosophy of suffering by his friends. Sometimes Job sounds almost blasphemous by questioning God. And sometimes his friends sound godlier. But what does God say about all their arguments and speeches? Has there been a time when you made the same mistake or received words of “comfort” that were not in line with God’s viewpoint? Why do you think it is important that Job prays for them? Amid tragedy, we can lean into God or pull away from Him. What are some ways you can draw close to Him? What will happen when we seek Him?
Leader Note: Share with your group that we should be careful not to take verses from Job out of context, because much of Job is the record of his three friends’ words and their incorrect theology. God rebukes them! Instead, be like Job. Question God. Cry out to Him but continue to trust and seek Him. He will give peace and comfort, even if He does not answer all our questions. Job’s prayer is an outgrowth of his forgiveness of his brash friends and an example of the “effective prayer of a righteous man” (James 5:16).
5. God won’t waste a hurt. Read Psalm 44: 17-18, John 9:1-3, Matthew 27:46, and John 16:33. What do you see in these passages? What is the cause of suffering? What is not the cause? How can God use the trials and hurts of your life?
Leader Note: The Psalm continually reaffirms that they trust in God. They worship Him; they are confused at the adversity; and that is seems God has turned away from them. They do not know of any sin that made this happen. In John 9, Jesus clearly says the blindness was not because of sin, but that the glory and power of God might be seen. In Matthew, we know Jesus felt the greatest suffering precisely because He was doing the will of the Father in going to the cross. Jesus Himself tells us that we will have trouble and tribulation, but... He will be our peace. He has overcome the world.
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.
6. 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.