S e S S i o n 1Why Does GoD AlloW sufferinG AnD TrAGeDy?

Q U i C K S T A R T

R e A dTake some time in advance to read and consider the Bible study questions and come up with personal examples to encourage discussion.

Note: For more detailed information, please see the How to Use This Leaders Guide document.

W A T C hMake sure everyone can see the screen and the audio is at a comfortable level.

P R i n TBefore class, make enough copies of this sessions handout for your entire group. (The handouts came with your download.)

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Leader: Prepare five index cards. On the first, write WIN. On the second and third write LOSE. On the fourth, write FIRST TRADE. On the fifth, write SECOND TRADE. Think about having some sort of silly gift to award the winners.

I need five volunteers to play a game of strategy and secrecy. I am handing each of you a card, which you should look at, but keep secret. One of these cards identifies the winnerbut not so fast. Someone else has a card that says First Trade. If you have that card, you may trade cards with any other cardholder. (NOTE: No one can refuse a trade.) Look around, read their minds, and find your trading partner. Now trade cards with that person, but dont show anyone what you got . . . because someone else has a Second Trade card. If you have that card, you may now make a trade with anyone.

Now lets see who has the winning card. Huzzah! Hail to the victor!

Leader: Provide appropriate hoopla and prizes for the winner. You may also play multiple rounds, giving others a chance to play. As you can see, it goes quicklyDeal, First Trade, Second Trade, Reveal.

Heres one variation. After the Deal, let each player show the card to the audience, but not to each other. Then the audience can advise the traders (or deceive them).

Who thought this game was fun? What did you have to do to win? Was there any skill involved?

Do you think this game is like real life? Why or why not?

Leader: At this point you might want to introduce the whole topic of Apologetics since some of your students might not be familiar with that word. Apologetics is simply knowing what you believe and why you believe it, and then being able to share with others why you think your beliefs are reasonable. Its being able to make a reasonable argument for your faith.

Were talking about some serious things today, so maybe it was good to start with some fun. Sometimes people talk about life like a card game. Someone had a good hand dealt to them. Or, it just wasnt in the cards for something to happen. Some people get good lives and others have to struggle, and sometimes it seems like a big game of chance . . . like getting the WIN card or having it taken from you.

How does God figure into all of that? Is he just dealing the cards, or does he have an interest in how the game is played? Lets think this through as we watch the video.

V i e W

Watch Session 1: Why Does God Allow Suffering and Tragedy? (28 Minutes)

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Leader: When a student experiences pain or suffering, were often tempted to provide theological answers rather than what our students need more: a listening ear, an empathetic heart, a rugged faith. When we provide easy answers for complex questions, we leave the students feeling unheard or perhaps guilty of not being spiritual enough to get our spiritual solutions. So use this discussion time primarily to honor the suffering of the people interviewed in the videoand of your own students. Dont rush to fix things. The Bible does offer helpful perspectives on suffering, however, and well get to some of those in the Bible study section to follow.

In this video we met a number of people with significant pain in their livesphysical, emotional, spiritual. Which of these stories did you find especially meaningful?

The first interview was with Taylor, who had that strange disease where she was always getting broken bones. Sometimes people seem to suffer from chance eventsrandom injuries, illness, even natural disasters. In the video, Taylor talked about how unfair it seemed to her that she had to suffer and that her sister couldnt share her pain. She said,

I remember vividly one night lying in bed with my body cast, yelling at God and screaming at the top of my lungs. Why are you doing this to me? Why am I in so much pain? You obviously hate me and you obviously have cursed me with this terrible disease.

What would you say to Taylor, if she was your friend and she asked you about this?

Taylor says she was really questioning God about her condition, as you might expect. And yet now she seems pretty positive about it all, and now she sings and plays guitar to lead worship.

How do you think she got from Point A to Point B? How did she go from being mad at God to praising him?

Sometimes, people suffer from the cruelty of other people. We saw another story of a young man, Marcus, who was bullied at school.

Why do you think God lets people hurt other people like that? Couldnt He do something to stop it?

Matt Chandler talked about how we human beings are naturally selfish and sinful. Remember how he talked about his daughter biting another little girl?

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Do you agree with him? Do you think people are naturally cruel, or naturally good, or somewhere in between?

So then how do you deal with an example of bullying or some other violence? Is that just the way humans are? Do we just need to get used to it? Should we seek revenge?

Matt Chandler made the point that God does deal with the sinful actions of human beings. He said, One of two things will happen. That injustice will be covered by the blood of Jesus Christ when that person repents and seeks the forgiveness of God, or they will be rightly and justly judged by God for their injustice.

How does that affect the way you look at situations of crime or violence?

Does knowing that injustice will be covered by the blood of Jesus Christ when that person repents and seeks the forgiveness of God mean that we are free to hurt others? What about the consequences of those actions, even if they are forgiven?

B i B l e J o U R n e y

Turn to Mark 4. This is a story of Jesus traveling with his disciples. Somebody read verses 3538.

Whats happening? If youre in that boat at that time, how do you feel?

What question do the disciples ask?

Think about this. These disciples have been with Jesus. Theyve seen him showing love to peopleto them!on a daily basis. Why would they wonder about this now?

Isnt this the question we ask in our times of pain and suffering: Lord, dont you care about us? Our faith says, Yes, of course he does. But now our experience makes us wonder.

Lets see how Jesus responds. Somebody read verses 3941.

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What does Jesus do?

How do the disciples react?

How do you think you would have felt in that moment of calm?

The divine power of Jesus is amazing. He can make things happen on a cosmic scale. But heres the problem. If he can do these things, why doesnt he? If he can take our diseases away, if he can keep our loved ones from dying, if he can keep storms away from our community, then why doesnt he? Doesnt he care about us? We can find some wisdom in Scripture about this, but we have to be willing to ask the questions.

A C T i V i T y

Leader: Distribute the Hurt Attack handout (example handout on page 10). Break into groups of 46 people, assigning each group a main passage to study over the next 10 minutes. (If they finish their main passage, they should proceed to the next.)

S C R i P T U R e P A S S A G e S

John11:1744(butseeverse6too) Genesis50:1521(but37:20isgoodbackground) 2Corinthians12:710 Romans8:1828 Psalms73:13,1628(butyoucouldreadtheversesinbetween)

After 10 minutes, pull the groups back together to share their ideas. Invite everyone, however, to join the discussion. Dont let others chill while one group presents its report. Teach this material to the whole class, with the particular groups serving as your resident experts. The notes included here are not necessarily right answers, but thoughts to spur your own thinking.

John 11:1744Background: Late in Jesus ministry, his good friend Lazarus dies. The mans sisters, Martha and Mary, had been loyal followers of Jesus.

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Did Martha and Mary bring a complaint or request to Jesus? What was it?If you had been here, you could have healed Lazarus, but now hes dead. Martha seems to toy with the idea of resurrection, but for most of them, thats beyond reality.

What sort of resurrection (vs. 2425) are they talking about?Jesus conversation with Martha functions at two levels. She believes in a future resurrectionheaven. (And not everyone in that day believed in that.) Jesus seems to connect the future resurrection to his present power. Heaven will be entered through him, and this miracle will demonstrate that. This is worth considering in our prayers for ailing loved ones. Healing will happen, in this world or the next.

Why do you think Jesus wept (v. 35)?Its not clear. For the power of death in the world? For the unbelief of the people there? Was he sharing in the mournful spirit of the moment?

Do you think its significant that Jesus waited two days (v. 6) before starting the four-day journey to see Lazarus? Why would he do this?Lazarus would have been dead anyway. Its possible that Jesus wanted to make it very clear that this was a resurrection and not just a resuscitation. (There were some beliefs about the spirit remaining in the body for three days.)

But we can draw a lesson here: Jesus works on his own timing. Often we ask him to do things now! But he doesnt work by our deadlines. He shows his power in his own way, in his own time.

What does this teach us about our own interactions with Jesusespecially about his timing, his feelings, and the meaning of resurrection?He cares. He has power. His power functions in this world and the next (he is the resurrection and the life). He works on his own timetable.

Genesis 50:1521Background:Josephsjealousbrotherstormentedhimasakid(37:20),eventuallysellinghimasaslave.Hegrew up to be a powerful man in Egypt, and he welcomed his family when they needed food.

What were the brothers worried about now?Joseph might have been withholding revenge for his fathers sake. Now Dads gone, so look out!

Why do you think Joseph wept (v. 17)?Its not clear. For his fathers death. For the lingering lack of trust between him and his brothers? For the years they lost?

There are two sets of intentions mentioned in verse 20. What are they? Is Joseph saying that God wanted the brothers to mistreat him?The brothers wanted to hurt Joseph, but God used their bad intentions for his own good intentions.

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(Josephs leadership had kept Egypt from suffering through the famine, providing food for many in the region. If he had never been sold as a slave and carried to Egypt, that wouldnt have happened.) But it would be wrong to say that God wanted the brothers to hurt Joseph. God gives people freedom to make good or bad choices, but he can work his miracles even after bad choices.

What does this teach us about times when people mistreat us? How does God deal with those situations?We are not doomed by the mistreatment of others. God can turn things around. The girl who was raped, the kid who was bulliedthey suffered terribly from the sins of others, but God can use their suffering to create something good. Thats hard to believe sometimes, but its true.

Is it possible to forgive those who have seriously hurt us?It is possible, but its difficult. Dont rush to a quick Thats okay when the pain is deeper. Keep giving the pain to God, and let him work his miracle of forgiveness in your heart.

2 CorinThiAns 12:710Background: Paulhadaproblem,athornintheflesh.Wedontknowwhatthiswaspossiblyeyedisease,epilepsy, headaches. It was apparently painful and possibly embarrassing.

What request did Paul make about this problem?Take it away!

What was the Lords answer?No. My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. It seems that this problem, whateveritwas,madePaulseemweak.Hemighthavethoughtthathewouldbeabetterministerifhedidnthavethisproblem.ButGodwantedPaultorelyondivinegrace,ratherthanhumanpower.

How did Paul respond to that?After three attempts, he bought it. He learned to delight in weakness.

Have you ever seen Gods power made perfect in peoples weakness? How does that work?It happens all the time. When Christians use their own brilliance, beauty, or fame to speak out for God, it often becomes all about them. It is the ordinary weakness of struggle, of humility, of reliance that keeps the spotlight on God.

What does this teach us about dealing with our own physical or emotional problems?Sometimes we assume that our problems will keep us from serving God effectively. Not so. It is Gods grace that equips us, not our own excellence.

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romAns 8:1828Background: PaulhasbeenwritingaboutsalvationhowGodforgivesoursinsandempowersuswithhisSpirit. But here he takes salvation to a cosmic level.

How does Paul describe our present sufferings?They are minimal, compared with future glory. They are shared by the whole universe. They are part of a big story that God has laid out for us.

In what ways do you see the whole creation groaning in pain?Ifyouwanttoseeenvironmentalissueshere,goforit.Perhapstornados,hurricanes,earthquakesareallpartof this groaning. (We often blame God for these natural disasters, but this passage would indicate that the earth shares in the fallen condition of humanity.)

What does this passage say about Gods plan? What does the Lord have in store for us and for the creation? Does verse 28 mean that everything will always work out all right?There is glory ahead, redemption, adoption, liberation from decay. And verse 28 indicates that, for those in love with God, he is working the details of our lives to match our calling. Things dont always work out tomorrow, but in the big picture they work out according to his plan. How does God deal with our weakness (v. 26)?The Spirit helps us. We dont even know how to pray, but the Spirit translates our feelings.

We heard that kind of thing from some people in the videonot sure about their relationship with God, feeling weak, far away, unspiritual. Thats what suffering does to us. But the Spirit is there with us, helping to make that connection even when we dont know what to say.

What does this teach us about dealing with sufferingour own suffering and that of the world around us?Suffering is not an exception; its the rule. For now anyway. We share the sufferings of all creation, but there are better days ahead, and the Lord is moving us toward that redemption.

PsAlms 73:13, 1628Background:ManyofthePsalmsincludehonestquestioningHowcouldGodletthingsturnoutthisway?But theres usually a change of perspective.

How would you describe the attitude of the first 14 verses? Whats the problem?Life is unfair. Bad people get all the breaks. Its no use being good.

Are there similar problems todayin your life, your school, your community?

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Where did the psalmist go to get a new perspective? Why there?The sanctuary. For him this was probably the Temple. Its Gods place. He could get a bigger picture and see things through Gods eyes.

What was the new perspective? What did he need to be reminded of? How did that affect his view of the situation?Bad people are winning , but only temporarily. Theyre in slippery places, and theyre headed for a fall. The Lord is with his people, close to them and caring for them. This is the true wealth that will carry into eternity.

What does this teach us about dealing with injustice in our lives and in our society?Life can be unfair, for now. But in the big picture, God will mete out justice. Meanwhile, he is present with us, guiding us and upholding us.

l A S T W o R d

In these five passages of Scripture, we have found complaints and fear, hope and disappointment, struggle and new insight. If you have ever grappled with the problem of pain, youre in good company. If you have ever had tough questions for God, thats not a lack of faiththats just a conversation. And its the same conversationthatMarthaandJosephandPaulandAsaphhavehad,andmanyothers.

Dont be afraid to talk about these things. Dont be afraid to think about them. We may not always understand God. We may not always know what hes doing, or why. We dont need to. Hes God and were not. But in these times of sorrow and questioning, we can draw near to him, and he will draw near to us.

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J o h n 1 1 : 1 7 4 4Background: Late in Jesus ministry, his good friend Lazarus dies. The mans sisters, Martha and Mary, had been loyal followers of Jesus.

Did Martha and Mary bring a complaint or request to Jesus? What?

What sort of resurrection (vs. 2425) are they talking about?

Why do you think Jesus wept (v. 35)?

Do you think its significant that Jesus waited two days (v. 6) before starting the four-day journey to see Lazarus? Why would he do this?

What does this teach us about our own interactions with Jesusespecially about his timing, his feelings, and the meaning of resurrection?

2 C o R i n T h i A n S 1 2 : 7 1 0Background:Paulhadaproblem,athornintheflesh.We dont know what this waspossibly eye disease, epilepsy, headaches. It was apparently painful and possibly embarrassing.

What request did Paul make about this problem?

What was the Lords answer?

How did Paul respond to that?

Have you ever seen Gods power made perfect in peoples weakness? How does that work?

What does this teach us about dealing with our own physical or emotional problems?

G e n e S i S 5 0 : 1 5 2 1Background: Josephs jealous brothers tormented him as a kid(37:20),eventuallysellinghimasaslave.Hegrewuptobea powerful man in Egypt, and he welcomed his family when they needed food.

What were the brothers worried about now?

Why do you think Joseph wept (v. 17)?

There are two sets of intentions mentioned in verse 20. What are they? Is Joseph saying that God wanted the brothers to mistreat him?

What does this teach us about times when people mistreat us? How does God deal with those situations?

Is it possible to forgive those who have seriously hurt us?

R o m A n S 8 : 1 8 2 8Background: PaulhasbeenwritingaboutsalvationhowGod forgives our sins and empowers us with his Spirit. But here he takes salvation to a cosmic level.

How does Paul describe our present sufferings?

In what ways do you see the whole creation groaning in pain?

What does this passage say about Gods plan? What does the Lord have in store for us and for the creation? Does verse 28 mean that everything will always work out all right? How does God deal with our weakness (v. 26)?

What does this teach us about dealing with sufferingour own suffering and that of the world around us?

P S A l m S 7 3 : 1 3 , 1 6 2 8Background: ManyofthePsalmsincludehonestquestioningHowcouldGodletthingsturnoutthisway?Buttheresusuallyachange of perspective.

How would you describe the attitude of the first 14 verses? Whats the problem?

Are there similar problems todayin your life, your school, your community?

Where did the psalmist go to get a new perspective? Why there?

What was the new perspective? What did he need to be reminded of? How did that affect his view of the situation?

What does this teach us about dealing with injustice in our lives and in our society?