The Reality of Suffering and the Resulting Invitation
Psalm 23
Richard Dahlstrom, Senior Pastor, stepbystepjourney.com
Reconciling the reality of suffering with the goodness of God is one of the most challenging aspects of our faith life. It is only by embracing the reality of suffering, the response of God, and accepting God’s resulting invitation, that we’ll be able to be people of joy and hope in our fallen world.
I. Reality of Suffering
II. Response of God
A. Companionship
B. Transformation
III. Result for Humanity
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
1. This week we heard the story of Nicki & Avery and the loss of their infant child. We also heard many other stories of suffering. What reflections, hurts, hopes, etc. arose for you listening to those testimonies?
2. Richard shared four causes for suffering.
a. Is there one or multiple of those that you digested more heavily than the others in your upbringing?
b. Is there one that was new or challenging to you?
3. How have you experienced the companionship of Christ amidst suffering?
4. How have you been the presence of Christ for another in the midst of suffering?
5. What lingering questions do you have about the nature of God’s goodness amidst a broken, suffering world?
6. Are there insights from the sermon that you found helpful with your questions about the reality of suffering?
7. How have you experienced others prescribing a “why” to your suffering that was either painful, inaccurate, or inconsiderate? Have you done this? What might have been more helpful in response to your suffering of the suffering of another?