Verse to memorize: Romans 8:18
For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing to the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Day 1: Read Romans 8:18-25; 1 Peter 4:12-13; and John 16:33
Dig In: Paul states that believers suffer--what else does Paul say suffers? What event or situation does Paul compare this suffering? Is suffering senseless or purposeless, or does it have a meaning and an outcome? When does the "groaning" end? What is the final adoption "step" for us believers according to Paul? What does Peter say we are to find joy in? How does our current suffering compare to our future?
Take Root: Sin has corrupted and afflicted all of creation, not just humans (see Genesis 3:17). Sin lead to incalculable suffering. The Hebrew word for glory is "Kabod" which literally means "weight". God's glory, which we anticipate, is immeasurably great and weighty compared to today's sorrows and distress.
Cultivate: Do you "groan" for Jesus' coming? Do you eagerly wait and anticipate being with Jesus? Are you living according to the commands found in 1 John so that you can greet Jesus enthusiastically? Or are you a bit fearful of meeting Jesus because of your lifestyle? Pray for God to give you strength to live according to His will.
Journal: Many think that Jesus came to bring us a little more happiness and success in this earthly life, much like the disciples thought in their early days with Jesus. What is your response to this idea?
Day 2: Read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; and Ecclesiastes 3:4
Dig In: Does the Bible teach that we should or shouldn't grieve? How should we grieve? What words do we comfort each other with?
Take Root: Both Paul and the teacher in Ecclesiastes agree that grief can be appropriate. We are to weep with our fellow Christians who weep (Romans 12:15), so allow others to express their grief and loss. Don't console too hastily!
Cultivate: Is there something you are sad about or brokenhearted about? Are you allowing yourself to grieve? Are you taking your grief to God? To others?
Day 3: Read 1 Peter 1:3-9; 2 Corinthians 4:7-12 and 16-18
Dig In: What is a "living hope"? How does Peter describe our inheritance? How can we trust our inheritance? What does Peter write that our present suffering results in? What does Paul write that our suffering results in? Why does Paul state that "therefore we do not lost heart"?
Take Root: In Corinthians, Paul admits that we suffer every day. Peter agrees that we suffer. Both speak of our indescribable future and of the "weight of God's glory" (see Day 1) that we will one day experience in eternity. That day is what Peter refers to as the realization and completion of our salvation.
Cultivate: Do you live as though your suffering will result in glory? Do you live as if your suffering will display Jesus to the world? Do you live in faith that God's power and might preserves your eternal inheritance just for you? Do you live knowing that life on earth is transient but the things of God are eternal? Pray that God gives you an eternal perspective.
Journal: Have you ever had a time of grief or suffering that you can look back on now and see God's hand in that experience? Can you trust God to carry you through future misfortunes and calamities?
Day 4: Read Isaiah 25:8-9; and Revelation 21:1-4
Dig In: What occasion or event do you think Isaiah is writing about? What do both Isaiah and John promise?
Take Root: God promises that everything will be made new. It will even be better than the Garden of Eden!
Cultivate: Sam in The Lord of the Rings asks, "Is everything sad going to become untrue?" Gandalf replies yes, "A great Shadow has departed." What do you think of Tolkien's vision of a new earth? What would it be like for all your sadness to become untrue? Pray for God to give you faith in His promises.
Day 5: Read Deuteronomy 31:6; Romans 8:31-39; and James 1:2
Dig In: What is our ultimate hope in all of our suffering and pain? How do you answer the question "if God is for us, who can be against us?" How are we "more than conquerors"? Where is Jesus now? What is he doing? Why do you think Paul wrote that particular list of catastrophes of things that do not separate us from God's love (verse 35)? Describe those things that Paul says cannot separate us from God's love (verse 38-39).
Take Root: Paul argues that if God gave up His son while we were still His enemies, God provides for us even more abundantly now that we His children. And, there is no person or action that can undo our salvation.
Cultivate: Do you "count it all joy" when troubles arise? Is it possible? How can you do this?
Journal: How do you visualize eternity? What are your thoughts about a "new heaven and earth" where there is no more sorrow, pain, evil or violence? What will living in God's glory be like?
Cultivating the Soil
Have you ever thought about how creation has fallen as a result of sin? How do you think creation will be changed in eternity? What things would you "fix" and make perfect in creation?
Is it hard to realize that Jesus (and Paul and Peter and many other writers) promised us trouble, and even persecution, in this world? Do you expect affliction? Did you expect sorrow and suffering when you believed in Jesus? How do you deal with these promises? What verses do you think about?
Peter states that God holds our salvation and eternal inheritance. How does he describe this inheritance? Do you think about your inheritance in Jesus? Do you look forward to your inheritance? Who is in charge of this inheritance? Are you thankful that God (and not you!) keeps this safe?
Small Group Questions
We live in a world of grief and suffering. How can we effectively "grieve with those who grieve"? What are some good guidelines to grieve with and comfort others?
The Bible assures us that God is always with us and for us (Deuteronomy 31:6; Romans 8:31). Do you live in this confident truth? Have you ever felt that God isn't reliable? How would your life change if you lived in line with these promises?
Many people say God isn't real (or that He isn't truly sovereign and in-charge) because of the suffering and evil in the world. How would you answer these questions? Suffering came into the world because of sin--but is all trouble and misery due to our sins? Is there "innocent suffering"? If there isn't a God, how do people measure or decide what is good and what is evil? Do different cultures or different people have various ideas of good and evil? How do you know what is virtuous, or what is wicked?
There are also people who believe in what is popularly called "prosperity gospel" or "health-and-wealth" gospel. This view states that individuals suffer because they have sinned or because they don't have enough faith. Is this true, partially true or not true? Is this biblical? How would you refute these concepts? Do you ever think this way? Do you ever live this way? What Bible verse could you quote to counter these ideas?