Basic
Material: Chapter 4 of When Christians Get It Wrong,
by Adam Hamilton
Focus:
Reconciling pain, disappointment, and a loving God.
Discussion
Points:
· Is the suffering of others always a test
from God, a judgment from God, or the will of God?
o
Things people sometimes say when we are
suffering: “God is making you suffer for a good reason.” “You will be very
happy when you see how God uses this.” “Everything happens for a reason.”
o
Who should take responsibility when bad things
happen?
o
The confusion that sometimes stems from
Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those
who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
o
Paul’s advice: Romans 12:15 - Rejoice
with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
· Can Faith Fix Everything?
o
The origins of the Greek word for
“faith”. Faith, Belief, and Trust are translated from one Greek root word. In
the end, “faith” is all about “obedience”, and “faith without acts is useless.”
o
Hebrews 11:1 - Now faith is
confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. James
2:19-22 - You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that
—and shudder. You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith
without deeds is useless? Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for
what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith
and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what
he did.
o
Read all of Hebrews 11, particularly
Hebrews 11:39 - These were all commended for their faith,
yet none of them received what had been promised, since God had planned
something better for us so that only together with us would they be made
perfect.
o
Sometimes our hopeful thinking is more
about faith in faith than faith in God.
·
Is there ever a connection between sin
and suffering?
o
Does forgiving require forgetting?
o
Recall the story of David and Bathsheba
- 2 Samuel 12:1-20.
o
Free will is a Beast!
·
Does raising children in a Godly home
guarantee their future?
o
Confusion about Proverbs 22:6 - Start
children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will
not turn from it.
o
Definition: Proverb - A short pithy
saying in general use, stating a general truth or piece of advice.
o
Potential confusion from the parable of
the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).
o
See Psalm 51:5 - Surely I was sinful at
birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Ezekiel 18:20 - … The child
will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of
the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the
wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them. (Just heed the warning
in Mark 9:42 – “And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me
to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large
millstone tied around his neck.”)
o
The Evolution of Larry Osborne’s sermons
as his children grew: “Ten Rules for Raising Godly Kids”, “Ten Guidelines for
Raising Good Kids”, “Five Principles for Raising Kids”, “Three Suggestions for
Surviving Parenthood”.
o
Living in a Godly environment does not
guarantee anyone’s future: Adam and Eve.
Peter and the other disciples.
·
Does God sometimes protect his people?
o
Your stories… My stories.
o
Stories in the Bible – Daniel and the
lions’ den, Joseph and his brothers, Shadrach, Meshach and Abendnego (and King
Nebuchadnezzar),
Further
Discussion:
- Can faith and doubt coexist? – See Acts 12.
- What kind of faith does God want from us? – See Daniel 3:18 - But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.
Further
Reading: 10 Dumb Things Smart Christians Believe,
Larry Osborne
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