1 0 S E S S I O N 1 : W H Y D O E S G O D A L L O W S U F F E R I N G A N D T R A G E D Y ?

H U R T A T T A C K
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# C H A N D L E R A P O L O G E T I C S
J O H N 1 1 : 1 7 4 4
Background: 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 signifcant 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 0
Background: Paul had a problem, a thorn in the fesh.
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 1
Background: Josephs jealous brothers tormented him as a
kid (37:20), eventually selling him as a slave. He grew up to be
a 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 8
Background: Paul has been writing about salvationhow
God forgives our sins and empowers us with his Spirit. But
here he takes salvation to a cosmic level.
How does Paul describe our present suferings?
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 suferingour
own sufering and that of the world around us?
P S A L M S 7 3 : 1 3 , 1 6 2 8
Background: Many of the Psalms include honest questioningHow could God let things turn out this way? But theres usually a
change of perspective.
How would you describe the attitude of the frst 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 afect his view of the situation?
What does this teach us about dealing with injustice in our lives and in our society?