Pray
Gather together as a community in a comfortable setting. Have one person read Psalm 119:50 over the group and then pray to ask the Holy Spirit to lead and guide your time together.
Recap
This past Sunday, we began a new teaching series called How to Suffer. Whether in small or big ways, each of us has suffered and experienced the brokenness of the world, and our experience gives rise to all sorts of questions. Why do we suffer? Is there a cause or purpose behind it? And where is God in the equation?
In our search for answers, it’s only natural for followers of Jesus to turn to the Scriptures. But far from offering us an easy answer, the Scriptures paint a complex portrait of what it means to live in a broken world, what it means to suffer, and how God is with us through it all.
The book of Job points us to the reality that the universe is an infinite web of details beyond our comprehension. But it also points us to the God who intimately knows each of those details, and who chooses to live in relationship with his creation and who hears and responds to the prayers of his people.
Discuss
- What did you take away from the most recent teaching?
- What do you find helpful or frustrating about the book of Job?
- How would you describe your experience of God’s presence in the face of suffering?
- How can your community support you when you face suffering?
Practice
This week, set aside time in your normal rhythm of connecting with God to experience his presence in your suffering. First, find a quiet and comfortable setting, then invite the Spirit to bring to mind any area of your life where you feel a sense of suffering. This could be anything big or small, nothing is insignificant in the eyes of God.
When the Spirit brings something to mind, express your feelings to God about your suffering, and don’t hold back. Like Job or the Psalmists, we can express our anger, frustration, lament, and confusion to God without worrying that he will be too fragile to handle it. If it helps, you can journal through this time, and may even consider writing your prayer as a Psalm or lament poem.
When you’ve expressed your feelings to God, sit quietly in the presence of his Spirit for a few minutes. After a few minutes, take note of anything you may be feeling, whether positive or negative. This could be anything from a sense of comfort from God, or a continued sense of confusion in your suffering.
Either way, end your time by reading Psalm 23 and offering a prayer of thankfulness to God.
Come next week ready to share about your experience with your community.
Pray
End by having someone read 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 as a prayer over the group.