Bible Text: Isaiah 53:3-6 | Speaker: Pastor Rob Burke | Series: Belief? Week 4

Message Notes

Evil and suffering are not evidence against God

Matthew 7:24-27

How other religions/worldviews answer this question
God suffers with us

Isaiah 53:3-6

God redeems suffering

Romans 5: 3-5
Revelation 21:1-3
Revelation 21:4-5

Life Group Discussion Questions
Opening Question:
If you could ask God one question and get the answer right away, what would you ask Him?

Digging Deeper:

1. Read Isaiah 53:3-6- What stands out to you in these verses? Isaiah 53:4-6 gives God’s description of people. According to these verses, what are people like? What is every human’s true nature? Why is this hard for many to believe about themselves?

2. Read Romans 5: 3-5. Verse 3 lists a “chain of occurrence,” noting that suffering produces perseverance, which produces character, which produces hope. Have you ever experienced this in your own life during a difficult time?

Life Application

1. On a scale of 1 to 10, how difficult is it for you to reconcile the existence of both suffering and God (1 = easy; 10 = impossible)? Why? How do most people you know deal with or address the concept of evil/suffering?

2. People often say that some of the best lessons they have learned in life came from very difficult or painful times. How have you seen God redeem suffering in your life?

3. Rob mentioned that suffering can either 1) draw us closer to God 2) Or pull us away from him. When you’ve experienced suffering/loss did it draw you closer to or farther away from God? Tell us about it.
4. How do you respond when others are suffering? What do we do if/when we don’t have all the answers they are looking for? What are some creative ways to demonstrate God’s love to them?
5. Spend some time praying for each other, for those that are going through difficult times and for those dealing with difficult times in our city/world.