S E S S I O N 1

WHY DOES GOD ALLOW SUFFERI NG AND TRAGEDY?

Q U I C K S T A R T
R E A D
Take some time in advance to
read and consider the Bible
study questions and come up
with personal examples to
encourage discussion.
Note: For more detailed information, please see the How to Use This Leaders Guide document.
W A T C H
Make sure everyone can see
the screen and the audio is at
a comfortable level.
P R I N T
Before class, make enough
copies of this sessions
handout for your entire
group. (The handouts came
with your download.)
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Leader: Prepare fve index cards. On the frst, write WIN. On the second and third write LOSE. On the fourth, write
FIRST TRADE. On the ffth, write SECOND TRADE. Think about having some sort of silly gift to award the winners.
I need fve volunteers to play a game of strategy and secrecy. I am handing each of you a card, which you
should look at, but keep secret. One of these cards identifes the winnerbut not so fast. Someone else has
a card that says First Trade. If you have that card, you may trade cards with any other cardholder. (NOTE: No
one can refuse a trade.) Look around, read their minds, and fnd your trading partner. Now trade cards with
that person, but dont show anyone what you got . . . because someone else has a Second Trade card. If you
have that card, you may now make a trade with anyone.
Now lets see who has the winning card. Huzzah! Hail to the victor!
Leader: Provide appropriate hoopla and prizes for the winner. You may also play multiple rounds, giving others a
chance to play. As you can see, it goes quicklyDeal, First Trade, Second Trade, Reveal.
Heres one variation. After the Deal, let each player show the card to the audience, but not to each other. Then the
audience can advise the traders (or deceive them).
Who thought this game was fun? What did you have to do to win? Was there any skill involved?
Do you think this game is like real life? Why or why not?
Leader: At this point you might want to introduce the whole topic of Apologetics since some of your students
might not be familiar with that word. Apologetics is simply knowing what you believe and why you believe it,
and then being able to share with others why you think your beliefs are reasonable. Its being able to make a
reasonable argument for your faith.
Were talking about some serious things today, so maybe it was good to start with some fun. Sometimes
people talk about life like a card game. Someone had a good hand dealt to them. Or, it just wasnt in the
cards for something to happen. Some people get good lives and others have to struggle, and sometimes it
seems like a big game of chance . . . like getting the WIN card or having it taken from you.
How does God fgure into all of that? Is he just dealing the cards, or does he have an interest in how the
game is played? Lets think this through as we watch the video.
V I E W
Watch Session 1: Why Does God Allow Sufering and Tragedy? (28 Minutes)
O P E N
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R E - V I E W
Leader: When a student experiences pain or sufering, were often tempted to provide theological answers rather
than what our students need more: a listening ear, an empathetic heart, a rugged faith. When we provide easy
answers for complex questions, we leave the students feeling unheard or perhaps guilty of not being spiritual
enough to get our spiritual solutions. So use this discussion time primarily to honor the sufering of the
people interviewed in the videoand of your own students. Dont rush to fx things. The Bible does ofer helpful
perspectives on sufering, however, and well get to some of those in the Bible study section to follow.
In this video we met a number of people with signifcant pain in their livesphysical, emotional,
spiritual. Which of these stories did you fnd especially meaningful?
The frst interview was with Taylor, who had that strange disease where she was always getting broken
bones. Sometimes people seem to sufer from chance eventsrandom injuries, illness, even natural
disasters. In the video, Taylor talked about how unfair it seemed to her that she had to sufer and that her
sister couldnt share her pain. She said,
I remember vividly one night lying in bed with my body cast, yelling at God and screaming at the top of my lungs.
Why are you doing this to me? Why am I in so much pain? You obviously hate me and you obviously have cursed
me with this terrible disease.
What would you say to Taylor, if she was your friend and she asked you about this?
Taylor says she was really questioning God about her condition, as you might expect. And yet now she
seems pretty positive about it all, and now she sings and plays guitar to lead worship.
How do you think she got from Point A to Point B? How did she go from being mad at God to praising
him?
Sometimes, people sufer from the cruelty of other people. We saw another story of a young man, Marcus,
who was bullied at school.
Why do you think God lets people hurt other people like that? Couldnt He do something to stop it?
Matt Chandler talked about how we human beings are naturally selfsh and sinful. Remember how he talked
about his daughter biting another little girl?
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Do you agree with him? Do you think people are naturally cruel, or naturally good, or somewhere in
between?
So then how do you deal with an example of bullying or some other violence? Is that just the way
humans are? Do we just need to get used to it? Should we seek revenge?
Matt Chandler made the point that God does deal with the sinful actions of human beings. He said, One of
two things will happen. That injustice will be covered by the blood of Jesus Christ when that person repents and
seeks the forgiveness of God, or they will be rightly and justly judged by God for their injustice.
How does that afect the way you look at situations of crime or violence?
Does knowing that injustice will be covered by the blood of Jesus Christ when that person
repents and seeks the forgiveness of God mean that we are free to hurt others? What about the
consequences of those actions, even if they are forgiven?
B I B L E J O U R N E Y
Turn to Mark 4. This is a story of Jesus traveling with his disciples. Somebody read verses 3538.
Whats happening? If youre in that boat at that time, how do you feel?
What question do the disciples ask?
Think about this. These disciples have been with Jesus. Theyve seen him showing love to peopleto
them!on a daily basis. Why would they wonder about this now?
Isnt this the question we ask in our times of pain and sufering: Lord, dont you care about us? Our faith says,
Yes, of course he does. But now our experience makes us wonder.
Lets see how Jesus responds. Somebody read verses 3941.
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What does Jesus do?
How do the disciples react?
How do you think you would have felt in that moment of calm?
The divine power of Jesus is amazing. He can make things happen on a cosmic scale. But heres the problem.
If he can do these things, why doesnt he? If he can take our diseases away, if he can keep our loved ones
from dying, if he can keep storms away from our community, then why doesnt he? Doesnt he care about
us? We can fnd some wisdom in Scripture about this, but we have to be willing to ask the questions.
A C T I V I T Y
Leader: Distribute the Hurt Attack handout (example handout on page 10). Break into groups of 46 people,
assigning each group a main passage to study over the next 10 minutes. (If they fnish their main passage, they
should proceed to the next.)
S C R I P T U R E P A S S A G E S
John 11:1744 (but see verse 6 too)
Genesis 50:1521 (but 37:20 is good background)
2 Corinthians 12:710
Romans 8:1828
Psalms 73:13, 1628 (but you could read the verses in between)
After 10 minutes, pull the groups back together to share their ideas. Invite everyone, however, to join the
discussion. Dont let others chill while one group presents its report. Teach this material to the whole class,
with the particular groups serving as your resident experts. The notes included here are not necessarily right
answers, but thoughts to spur your own thinking.
JOHN 11:1744
Background: Late in Jesus ministry, his good friend Lazarus dies. The mans sisters, Martha and Mary, had
been loyal followers of Jesus.
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Did Martha and Mary bring a complaint or request to Jesus? What was it?
If you had been here, you could have healed Lazarus, but now hes dead. Martha seems to toy with the idea
of resurrection, but for most of them, thats beyond reality.
What sort of resurrection (vs. 2425) are they talking about?
Jesus conversation with Martha functions at two levels. She believes in a future resurrectionheaven. (And
not everyone in that day believed in that.) Jesus seems to connect the future resurrection to his present
power. Heaven will be entered through him, and this miracle will demonstrate that. This is worth considering
in our prayers for ailing loved ones. Healing will happen, in this world or the next.
Why do you think Jesus wept (v. 35)?
Its not clear. For the power of death in the world? For the unbelief of the people there? Was he sharing in the
mournful spirit of the moment?
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?
Lazarus would have been dead anyway. Its possible that Jesus wanted to make it very clear that this was a
resurrection and not just a resuscitation. (There were some beliefs about the spirit remaining in the body for
three days.)
But we can draw a lesson here: Jesus works on his own timing. Often we ask him to do things now! But he
doesnt work by our deadlines. He shows his power in his own way, in his own time.
What does this teach us about our own interactions with Jesusespecially about his timing, his
feelings, and the meaning of resurrection?
He cares. He has power. His power functions in this world and the next (he is the resurrection and the life).
He works on his own timetable.
GENESI S 50:1521
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?
Joseph might have been withholding revenge for his fathers sake. Now Dads gone, so look out!
Why do you think Joseph wept (v. 17)?
Its not clear. For his fathers death. For the lingering lack of trust between him and his brothers? For the years
they lost?
There are two sets of intentions mentioned in verse 20. What are they? Is Joseph saying that God
wanted the brothers to mistreat him?
The brothers wanted to hurt Joseph, but God used their bad intentions for his own good intentions.
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(Josephs leadership had kept Egypt from sufering through the famine, providing food for many in the
region. If he had never been sold as a slave and carried to Egypt, that wouldnt have happened.) But it would
be wrong to say that God wanted the brothers to hurt Joseph. God gives people freedom to make good or
bad choices, but he can work his miracles even after bad choices.
What does this teach us about times when people mistreat us? How does God deal with those
situations?
We are not doomed by the mistreatment of others. God can turn things around. The girl who was raped, the
kid who was bulliedthey sufered terribly from the sins of others, but God can use their sufering to create
something good. Thats hard to believe sometimes, but its true.
Is it possible to forgive those who have seriously hurt us?
It is possible, but its difcult. Dont rush to a quick Thats okay when the pain is deeper. Keep giving the
pain to God, and let him work his miracle of forgiveness in your heart.
2 CORI NTHI ANS 12:710
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?
Take it away!
What was the Lords answer?
No. My grace is sufcient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. It seems that this problem,
whatever it was, made Paul seem weak. He might have thought that he would be a better minister if he
didnt have this problem. But God wanted Paul to rely on divine grace, rather than human power.
How did Paul respond to that?
After three attempts, he bought it. He learned to delight in weakness.
Have you ever seen Gods power made perfect in peoples weakness? How does that work?
It happens all the time. When Christians use their own brilliance, beauty, or fame to speak out for God, it
often becomes all about them. It is the ordinary weakness of struggle, of humility, of reliance that keeps the
spotlight on God.
What does this teach us about dealing with our own physical or emotional problems?
Sometimes we assume that our problems will keep us from serving God efectively. Not so. It is Gods grace
that equips us, not our own excellence.
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ROMANS 8:1828
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?
They are minimal, compared with future glory. They are shared by the whole universe. They are part of a big
story that God has laid out for us.
In what ways do you see the whole creation groaning in pain?
If you want to see environmental issues here, go for it. Perhaps tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes are all part
of this groaning. (We often blame God for these natural disasters, but this passage would indicate that the
earth shares in the fallen condition of humanity.)
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?
There is glory ahead, redemption, adoption, liberation from decay. And verse 28 indicates that, for those
in love with God, he is working the details of our lives to match our calling. Things dont always work out
tomorrow, but in the big picture they work out according to his plan.

How does God deal with our weakness (v. 26)?
The Spirit helps us. We dont even know how to pray, but the Spirit translates our feelings.
We heard that kind of thing from some people in the videonot sure about their relationship with God,
feeling weak, far away, unspiritual. Thats what sufering does to us. But the Spirit is there with us, helping to
make that connection even when we dont know what to say.
What does this teach us about dealing with suferingour own sufering and that of the world
around us?
Sufering is not an exception; its the rule. For now anyway. We share the suferings of all creation, but there
are better days ahead, and the Lord is moving us toward that redemption.
PSALMS 73:13, 1628
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?
Life is unfair. Bad people get all the breaks. Its no use being good.
Are there similar problems todayin your life, your school, your community?
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Where did the psalmist go to get a new perspective? Why there?
The sanctuary. For him this was probably the Temple. Its Gods place. He could get a bigger picture and see
things through Gods eyes.
What was the new perspective? What did he need to be reminded of? How did that afect his view of
the situation?
Bad people are winning , but only temporarily. Theyre in slippery places, and theyre headed for a fall. The
Lord is with his people, close to them and caring for them. This is the true wealth that will carry into eternity.
What does this teach us about dealing with injustice in our lives and in our society?
Life can be unfair, for now. But in the big picture, God will mete out justice. Meanwhile, he is present with us,
guiding us and upholding us.
L A S T W O R D
In these fve passages of Scripture, we have found complaints and fear, hope and disappointment, struggle
and new insight. If you have ever grappled with the problem of pain, youre in good company. If you have
ever had tough questions for God, thats not a lack of faiththats just a conversation. And its the same
conversation that Martha and Joseph and Paul and Asaph have had, and many others.
Dont be afraid to talk about these things. Dont be afraid to think about them. We may not always
understand God. We may not always know what hes doing, or why. We dont need to. Hes God and were
not. But in these times of sorrow and questioning, we can draw near to him, and he will draw near to us.
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H U R T A T T A C K
HANDOUT
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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?