Week 6: Purpose of Suffering

Week 6: Purpose of Suffering

Outline:

•        God’s decretive and permissive will

•        Purposes of suffering

Helpful resource:

•        Carson, D. A. How Long, O Lord: Reflections on Suffering and Evil. Baker, 1990.

•        Kreeft, Peter. Making Sense out of Suffering. Servant Books, 1986.

•        Tada, Joni Eareckson. When God Weeps: Why Our Sufferings Matter to the Almighty. Zondervan, 1997.

•        Yancey, Philip. Where Is God When It Hurts? Zondervan, 1990.

•        https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/five-truths-about-christian-suffering

Discussion questions (Pick 2 or 3)

•        How has suffering refined or strengthened your character? Which character such as humility, patience, fortitude or courage?

•        How has God used suffering to put an end to your sinful deeds?

•        How has God allowed suffering to prune your branches to yield fruits in your life?

•        According to Scripture, what do evil and suffering have to do with our spiritual formation?

•        What is God’s redemptive plan in allowing suffering in the world?

•        Read James 1:2-4 and share your thought.

•        Have you experienced deeper relationship with God through your suffering?

•        How has suffering helped you to be empathetic to the suffering of others?

•        How has suffering helped you to share the gospel?