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God Why Is This Happening?
Review this week's message.

Key Thought:

How can we grow in faith through the suffering and challenges we face?



Key Quote

“Suffering is not God's punishment, but an invitation to His presence” - Pastor Bil Cornelius 



Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.
  • What’s one spring cleaning project you enjoy doing?
  • If you could spend spring anywhere in the world, where would it be?
  • What’s one small thing that always helps you stay positive during hard times?


Start thinking. Ask a thoughtful question.
  • Why do you think God allows suffering to exist in the world despite His promise of peace through Christ?
  • What role does the Holy Spirit play in helping you through times of trouble, according to Romans 5:3-5?


Start sharing. Choose questions that create openness.
  • Have you experienced a time in your life when a hardship led you to grow or develop endurance? How did you see God's hand in that process?
  • Can you think of a moment when your character was shaped or refined because of a challenging experience? How did that change you?


Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
  • What is one way I can use my current pain or struggle to grow in character and strengthen my faith this week?
    • Take a moment each day this week to reflect on your current struggles and ask God for guidance in using them to grow.

Scriptures

“I told you these things so that you can have peace in me. In this world you will have trouble but be brave! I have defeated the world.”  John 16:33 NCV

 

For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers together until now.  Not only this, but we ourselves also, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we eagerly await..[our] redemption. Romans 8:22 NET

 

We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.  And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.  Romans 5:3-5 NLT

 

 There is something else meaningless that occurs on earth: the righteous who get what the wicked deserve, and the wicked who get what the righteous deserve.  Ecclesiastes 8:14 NIV

 

 He was despised and rejected— a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief... Yet it was our weaknesses he carried; it was our sorrows that weighed him down...he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole.  He was whipped so we could be healed...the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.  Isaiah 53:3-6 NLT

 

For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5 NLT

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