Suffering and Glory

How can the world be full of suffering, pain, and injustice if God is all-knowing, all-powerful, and perfectly good? This is a serious question – one you have likely asked or have been asked. In Romans 8:18-39, Paul reveals surprising truths that can give us a new perspective on suffering.

We will be looking at Romans 8 and thinking about suffering and glory this weekend at Christ’s Church. Below, we’ve listed some resources that have helped others think about suffering and pain. We have also supplied some questions based on the sermon. You may find these helpful either for personal meditation or for conversation with friends. 

Resources

• The Problem of Pain by C. S. Lewis

• Suffering and the Sovereignty of God by John Piper. This includes an essay, “Hope…The Best of Things,” by Joni Eareckson Tada taken from Joni’s 28-page booklet with the same title.

• Hope…The Best of Things by Joni Eareckson Tada. Joni is an outstanding Christian advocate for the disabled and leads a ministry to disabled people and their families. She has been a quadriplegic since a diving accident at age 18.

• The Reason for God by Tim Keller

Questions

1. Which is generally worse in your experience, physical pain or mental and emotional pain?

2. Can you think of a time when you were tempted to doubt God’s goodness or power?

3. If so, was this a time when you or someone you cared about was in pain?

4. Do you know someone whose painful experience has caused them to more consistently “look to the things that are not seen”?

5. Have you ever witnessed a miracle of divine healing?

6. Are you currently praying for one?

7. How does it affect you to consider that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit have conversations about your pain and the transformation of your character?

8. Can you testify of something painful that God used for the transformation of your character?