got questions?

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got questions? Why do good people suffer? Because of a choice made to reject God’s leadership and to mistrust His heart – a choice given to us because God deeply loves us – sin entered our world and affected all of creation. Sin produces physical and spiritual death, emotional distress, and relational frustration. We live in a fallen world in which we will have trouble (John 16:33). But God’s love is greater than this fallen world, and He is not callous towards our pain. Instead, God is working in the midst of our difficulties for our good (Romans 8:28, 31-32). We can take confidence in this because Jesus became one of us and took the punishment of sin upon Himself. One day Jesus will come to earth again to make all things right and new (Revelation 21:1-7). SHARING TESTIMONIES With those in your group, share about a difficult situation you have faced where things did not go as planned. What did you hope for, and how did the situation really play out? Where do you think God was in the midst of that situation? GO DEEPER From Romans 8:20-21, what effect has sin had on all of creation? What is creation eagerly looking forward to? According to John 16:33, what is guaranteed in this world, and why can we take heart? What promise is made in Romans 8:28 to those who love God? What promise is made in Revelation 21:1-7 when Jesus returns? MAKE IT PERSONAL What pain or struggle are you experiencing right now? How much hope or confidence in God do you have in the midst of that struggle? How might God be working in and around you to bring about something good? Who do you know right now that is walking through a difficult season? What can you practically do to support and encourage them, to offer hope to them? PRACTICE IT NOW Sin has messed things up. Sometimes our problems and struggles are the result of our own foolishness and sin. Sometimes difficulties are due to the sinful actions of others in our lives, actions that have consequences. Other times, our struggles are an attack of the enemy or just part of living in an unfair, sinful, fallen world. But we can hope and rejoice in the fact that God is present in each of these situations, working for our good. His heart is to redeem every struggle, to reveal His character and nature. Take time as a group to pray for God to work in the midst of the battles you are facing right now. Take time also to pray over and to encourage those who are wrestling to see or to sense God in their pain and struggle.