Key Thought: This lesson helps us through Biblical examples to understand the “whys” of suffering and the “hows” of overcoming evil and suffering.
July 30, 2022

1. Have a volunteer read Hosea 2:1-12.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What methods does God say He will use to pull Israel back to Himself? What would these experiences have felt like?
3. Personal Application: Ask the Holy Spirit if you have been running from God in any area of your life. If you have, why wait for pain and suffering? Surrender it now. Share your thoughts..
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “How can I believe that trials and trouble might be God’s way of getting me back on the right path? It’s hard to see any good come out of pain and misery.” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Job 1:6 – 2:10.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What caused Job’s suffering? How does Job respond to the trials?
3. Personal Application: How can Job’s response to his trials help us as we go through ours? Share your thoughts
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Why would God let Job go through all that just to prove a point? What about his innocent servants and children who died during this test? Wouldn’t his wife be naturally upset?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read 2 Corinthians 1:4-9.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. To what extent might suffering be a call to ministry? How can we be more alert to this possibility?
3. Personal Application: What can we learn from Paul that can help us from falling into self-pity amid your own struggles? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “Why is it that many people who have gone through a certain trial or overcome a tragedy are the first ones to reach out and try to start programs or give help and counsel to others in the same situation? It seems like once they get through their trial, they wouldn’t want to revisit it in any form again.” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Isaiah 43:1-7

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. List the different ways God assures His people of comfort during times of water and fire. How does this portray God in your mind?
3. Personal Application: What promises or ways of comfort do you look to when you face your trials? Share your thoughts?
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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