Series Based Bible Study

Transcription

1 Series Based Bible Study Vineyard Columbus August / September 2018

2 When Life Is Unfair A Vineyard Columbus Small Group Study Series Series Description What do you do when nothing seems to be going your way? Some of us ask, Why me? Or What is God trying to tell me? How you choose to respond to the difficult things that can happen to you can mean the difference between a life of anger..or joy. Everything happens for a reason, and that reason is your spiritual growth in Christ. In this series we will explore what you can do when life takes a turn that just doesn t seem fair. At Vineyard Columbus, we encourage your group to use this study as one component of your time together. We truly believe that disciples of Jesus will mature best when they engage in corporate worship, prayer ministry, practicing the prophetic, studying the Bible, serving our neighbors, community, church, and fellowshipping together. This study only covers one of those aspects, the Bible. Suggestions and ideas will be posited to aid the leader regarding the other areas. We pray this will be helpful to your group as you explore When Life Is Unfair. When Life Is Unfair 2

3 Table of Contents: Page Week 1- The Groaning of Creation.. 5 Week 2- Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People..16 Week 3- A World At War Week 4- Lies That Destroy..32 Week 5- TBD (this lesson yet to be released)...40 Week 6- How God Uses Pain in Your Life.. 43 Week 7- The Blessing of Talking to Yourself...52 Week 8- The Best is Yet to Come 59 Summary of Ministry Time How to use this Study Series Leaders are encouraged to briefly look over all studies before you teach or hand them out to alternative teachers within the group. There is a summary of Ministry Ideas from the entire series in the back. The ministry ideas are meant to build upon each other whenever possible and some ideas will take longer planning than others. Reading the full arch of Ministry Ideas before you start the series as a small group may provide a much richer and fuller experience. Having all studies provided at the start of a sermon series will give leaders the opportunity to give studies to potential teachers or co-leaders weeks ahead of time. Our prayer is that many more disciples of Jesus will feel comfortable sharing and leading others in discussion during small group. If you have any questions, please us at: smallgroups@vineyardcolumbus.org When Life Is Unfair 3

4 Acknowledgements: Authors: Abby Fahmi, Anthony Fowler, Dan Kidd, Helena Dameron, Jason Dutton, Lathania Butler, Rudy Alexeeff, Wesleigh Mowry Administrator: Marsha Martin When Life Is Unfair 4

5 Week 1 When Life Is Unfair 5

6 Week 1 The Groaning of Creation Romans 8:18-27 Tips: These questions are meant to get the group thinking and spark discussion, so don t rush through them or attempt to get a solid answer for each one. Don t be afraid to wait for a while to see who speaks, and remember, there are no wrong opinions. Before the Lesson: Paul s letter to the church in Rome was probably written in the spring of 56 A.D. The church was rapidly growing for a couple of reasons. First, Judaism had seen a large influx of pagan Romans due to the failing worldview of polytheism. The idea that there were multiple gods had begun to lose popularity as people became more global in their thinking. Could gods lose territory and rights over weather patterns based on what humans did in the material world? Questions like that caused many Romans to consider the more reasonable monotheism that Judaism offered. Because these former pagans had no disdain for Jesus, they began converting to Christianity in droves. Second, the dramatic When Life Is Unfair 6

7 Week 1 demonstrations of the spirit convinced many Jews to convert as well. Rapid growth made for increased tensions for Christians amongst the Roman government and local Jewish leaders. Both felt threatened by Christianity s growth and the inevitable culture shift. Because of this, Christians were being persecuted, abused, and marginalized by their neighbors and government. The persecutions and pain inflicted on early Christians was almost entirely unjust and discouraging to the community of God. Take a few moments before you begin group, in your own time, to slow your own heart and be present before God. Each of us have groans, some deeper than we are less aware of and some right at the surface that we are very familiar with. What do you groan for? Where are you needing hope in your life? Spend a few minutes with these questions, and come to group with an open heart and ear to what the Spirit might be doing in your people. Starting the Lesson: The theme of this series is one we are all very familiar with in one way or another. All of us understand the reality that life is unfair. Something deep within us yearns for things to be made right, though we don t truly know what right would look like. We struggle with seeing difficult and even evil things happening in the world around us, especially in our own local and individual worlds, and we desperately want things to change. We struggle with patience and waiting for answers or resolutions. We struggle with knowing what to do or say. This is life as we know it. But, there is a hope, even a peace, amidst this that we can find rest in. We are going to read some of Paul s wonderful writing When Life Is Unfair 7

8 Bible Verses: Romans 8: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God s people in accordance with the will of God. Week 1 on this dilemma and the hopeful, clear reminder he gives us of the coming restoration. Starter Questions: Are you more of an optimist or pessimist? Why do you think that is? Could you give us an example as to why you consider yourself this? Did anyone struggle as a kid waiting to find out what they got for Christmas or maybe a birthday? Did you ever grow out of it? How do you deal with that kind of anticipation now? Has anyone ever had a big issue or problem they had to endure or deal with that occurred through no fault of your own, but that you had no way of avoiding? What was that, and how did you get through it, or if it s current, how are you getting through it? Opening Prayer: Let s pray and center ourselves here together before we jump in. (Remember to slow your heart before God, and ask others to do the same. Each person comes in carrying a lot; allow your group to settle in and settle down in God s presence.) Scripture Reading: Let s begin by reading a part of Paul s letter to the early Christian church in Rome. Could someone read Romans 8:18-27? (Depending on the willingness of the members of the group to read aloud, you may want to call on one or two When Life Is Unfair 8

9 Week 1 readers. Have them read the passage twice and maybe ask someone to read the passage in an alternative translation. Remember to thank them for reading!) Discussion Questions: Let s break this passage up into three sections, because Paul hits on a few key aches that are pocketed together wonderfully. In verses Paul gives us a depiction of how the whole world is knit together in this same yearning. When you think of the word decay, what comes to mind? - Allow for people to answer. Some examples: Wood in a forrest, animal carcass, plants rotting, old houses, people getting frail in old age, etc. Paul is making it very clear that all things in the world are subject to this decay, not just the visible or obvious. What was the tipping point that subjected everyone and everything to this? It s not that clear in all translations, so it s okay if you find it difficult to make the connection. - Paul seems to say that the cause or at least much of the cause of all this decay and bondage is the choice of mankind, our choice to move away from God and sin. That decision has rippled throughout creation and subjected everything in it to a state that is unnatural and unintended. Though humans are subject to the When Life Is Unfair 9

10 Week 1 decay, they were willing participants in the process. Genesis 3:17 says - Cursed is the ground because of you. Wow. Let that sink in. Everything in this world is in it together. Nature. Work. Family systems. Economies. Cultures. Nations. Even our attempts to solve problems and bring about social justice are still under this influence of bondage and decay. But, even still, what does Paul begin this passage by saying? - Verse He looks at this and says that even though this current state is a deeply desperate one, it does not compare to the glorious future that will come about. What does this make you think? Anything? Do you ever dream about what life would be like without whatever it is you constantly wrestle with? Perhaps the anger you have or the loneliness you experience? Do you struggle with connecting with the hope of verse 18? Would someone be willing to share with the group which parts of your life feel like verse 18 contrasted with 20-12? - Leader, pay attention here. If the group is comfortable and open to this, allow it to happen and move from there. You may see people open up, and this may take some time out of the normal rhythm of group. Be okay with that, and simply guide people toward When Life Is Unfair 10

11 Week 1 Christ and the hope of his coming restoration and healing. Paul says that all of creation, everything in this world, has felt the consequence of humans choosing to live apart from God. And now, all of creation is eagerly waiting and anticipating for humans to be restored to God so that it can also experience the glorious restoration. Could someone read verses again? (Thank them after they are done!) We read that even those of us who have tasted the sweet forgiveness and lightness of heart that comes from knowing Jesus, the clarity of who we truly are before God, and have welcomed the Holy Spirit and his movement into our lives - even we groan inwardly. We are not the way we should be. Is anyone familiar with the saying now and not yet? If so, would you share what it means, or at least your understanding of it with the group? - The kingdom of God is here now (began with the arrival of Jesus) and therefore we can experience it in part (healing, gifts, restoration, joy, peace, etc.) but is not yet fully realized (until Jesus returns again and sets all things right and makes all things new). We have personal groans, even though we know God is with us. What do you still long for? What, even though you have received God s grace and may be content with When Life Is Unfair 11

12 Week 1 life, do you groan inwardly to see be made new or different in your life? - Take a moment to reflect on this. Some in the group may need you to prompt this again. These are things that may not ever happen in this life such as the restoration of a broken relationship separated by death or addiction. The restoration of a relationship separated by Alzheimer s disease or dementia is another example. If we, who are connected to the Spirit of God, can feel this way, how should that affect how we relate to those around us? - We all are missing the mark, are not who were meant to be, and live in a world that is longing to be made right, so we should have humility and grace and a kinship with all people who experience this alongside us. But, we also have a hope that is beyond reason. Paul writes that we will have the redemption of our bodies. What do you think this refers to? - Without going into any complex theology, even our bodies will be resurrected and made new in God s full kingdom. The entire created world will be made new, as Jesus states directly in Revelation 21:5 and Isaiah says in 65:17. Our hope is not simply that our souls will be restored, or the idea of the world will be made new, but that our physical bodies and all of creation will be restored to the glory that was When Life Is Unfair 12

13 Week 1 at the beginning when God first breathed life into us. It s not reasonable. It goes against the natural order of decay and bondage. Exactly. Because the glory of the original design of creation will be restored and revealed. Even with this wondrous hope, we often don t know what to do. We don t always understand. We can t see it. We surely don t often feel it. We truly don t know how to live and act and what even to ask for from God. Could someone read verses 26 and 27 again? (Be sure and thank them!) All we have sometimes are sighs. We re truly just children in this life. For those of us with children or who have been around children for any length of time, most of their questions are not very complicated. Quite often, they are simply, Daddy or Mommy with the emphasis at the end of the word that sounds like a question. Or just, Help? Aren t we all this way? Don t we all need looking out for? Paul says that there are such deep things in our lives that we long for, things deeper than words, things that we aren t even aware of or even able to articulate. But, the Holy Spirit who is inside of us, who is alive and active in this world, is tuned in. Thinking of children again, or even spouses who are really connected to one another - aren t there moments where our child or spouse just has a look, or makes a noise, without real words, and we are immediately aware of what they need? How much more is God attuned to When Life Is Unfair 13

14 Week 1 our hearts, our souls, and aware of the things we don t even know we want or need? There is a tenderness in this that we should be grateful for. We are not so intelligent, we are not so wise, we are not so aware to know even our own needs and what to ask for much of the time. Much of what we think we want or need, when looking back in hindsight, we realize was the wrong thing. It is good to be weak in this way, and to embrace that the Holy Spirit knows us so well that he sees our desperation, our pain, our hurt, and turns our worldly groans into prayer before God. This all turns back to the question - who do we believe Jesus is? What do we believe about God? Let s close with a picture of Jesus from Hebrews chapter 6. (Leader, look up and read Hebrews 4: aloud to the group) Jesus is intimately connected with the reality of our personal pain. He felt it himself, and was completely abandoned on the cross. With the cross and the resurrection, and the glorious redemption of his body, we can hold onto these as the forerunner for what we too will experience. We can approach God with confidence, knowing that there is grace and mercy for us, and a coming restoration to all that is not right, even when life is unfair and we don t know what to say. Ministry Time Application: Make space, maybe 3-5 minutes, to wait on God to speak. Maybe God has been speaking to someone in the group about their own personal groans and longings for something in particular to be made right. Maybe When Life Is Unfair 14

15 Week 1 someone needs hope right now in the midst of the uncertainty or even darkness of their life. Maybe someone needs fresh vision of a current situation, and specifically needs hope that there is a positive future outcome that God has in store. Ask God to reveal and to speak to each person in the group. After the short period of 3-5 minutes, ask group members to share aloud if they are comfortable. Then break down into smaller groups of 2-4 to pray for one another. When Life Is Unfair 15

16 Week 1 Week 2 When Life Is Unfair 16

17 Week 2 Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People? Job 1 Before the Lesson: Tips: There are more questions than your group will be able to get through so feel free to pick and choose which ones you would like to use. Remember to pause between questions. Waiting for people will help you identify quiet personalities in your group. The book of Job stands alone in the Bible as a book without an author, known location, or date. There are varying theories about the time of writing: 700 BC, 550 BC, and BC and even later. There are three theories about Job: a historical figure who spoke all the words attributed to him; a literary creation by the author as a teaching parable; an historical story adapted by the author to address certain issues. There is no book in either Old or New Testament for which we have less understanding about the author, the date, the place of writing, and even the context of writing. Fortunately, none of these unknowns or theories play a major role in the book or affect its message. The When Life Is Unfair 17

18 Bible Verses: Job 1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. 4 His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for them to be purified. Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. This was Job s regular custom. 6 One day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, Where have you come from? Satan answered the Lord, From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it. 8 Then the Lord said to Satan, Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. 9 Does Job fear God for nothing? Satan replied. 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. Week 2 book of Job deals with the problem of human suffering. More specifically, the fundamental problem with which we are confronted in the Book of Job is why do the righteous suffer? Starting the Lesson: To understand the book of Job, it may help to have us start by reading Psalm 73. Could someone read Psalm 73 out loud? (Be sure and thank them for reading!) When good people, those who fear God and shun evil, have bad things happen to them we struggle to understand. We ask why? If God loves us and is almighty why would he let this happen to good people? The fundamental theology of Job s friends is that God is almighty, that he is perfectly just and that no human is pure in his sight. Thus, suffering is always related to a person's guilt or sin as determined by God. Yet, for Job who feared God and shunned evil and for the suffering discussed in Psalm 73, this just does not make sense. The Book of Job deals with the problem of human suffering. More specifically, why do the righteous suffer? So let's see what we can learn about why good people suffer. Starter Questions: Can someone share about a time when they felt angry that the wicked were prospering? Can someone share a time when they experienced suffering? Opening Prayer: When Life Is Unfair 18

19 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face. 12 The Lord said to Satan, Very well, then, everything he has is in your power, but on the man himself do not lay a finger. Then Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. 13 One day when Job s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you! 16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you! 17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you! 18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother s house, Week 2 Let s pray. Heavenly Father you are with us always, give us the wisdom to understand your words, to apply their meaning and to share those word with others. Scripture: Could I get a couple of people to read Job chapter 1? (Depending on the willingness of the members of the group to read aloud, you may want to call on one or two readers. Have them read the passage twice and maybe ask someone to read the passage in an alternative translation. Remember to thank them for reading!) Discussion Questions Just so it is fresh in our mind after reading the whole chapter, I am going to read verse 1-3 again. What do we learn about Job from these verses? - Where he lived, that he was Godly and that he was wealthy. Job is a book that is unchained to any particular culture or time. The word blameless in Hebrew is tamin and is used by Noah in Genesis 6:9. The root meaning is whole, integrated, as we put all of our energy into one pursuit. Job was wealthy. Not only that, but in chapter 29 we read something of his spirit of philanthropy and of his love for the poor. He delivered the poor when they cried, helped the fatherless, and those who had none to help them. He caused the widow's heart to sing for joy. He was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. He was a father to the needy. How would you describe Job s attitude toward his wealth? When Life Is Unfair 19

20 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you! 20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: Naked I came from my mother s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. 22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. Week 2 - That it was God s money; he used it to help others, money was not a treasure to hold onto, etc. What might we learn from Job s attitude about wealth? Do you know anyone who is wealthy who acts similar to Job? - We might learn that wealth is not something to which we have a right or even as a sign of God's approval. Allow people to share about someone who is like Job and maybe share a story about that person being like Job with their wealth. What are some ways our world would be different if every person s attitude toward our wealth was the same Job s? I am not asking if that seems possible or not, I am asking what the world would look like IF every person s attitude toward our wealth was the same as Job s. - (Accept all answers) Let s look at verses 4 and 5 again. (Read verses 4-5.) How did Job view his relationship with God? - Job believed God was responsive and forgiving. For Job s part, how did he view his actions and attitude toward God? How would you describe his posture toward God? - He had faith in repentance, sacrifice, and forgiveness, etc. When Life Is Unfair 20

21 Week 2 Notes Turning gears, but in line with the text, lets look at the verses describing Satan. I ll read verses )Read verses 6-12) What are some helpful points here to help you understand Satan? According to the text, how would you describe his personality? - Satan roams the earth, and accuses God s servants, etc. What are his accusations and what is his goal? - That Job s devotion to God is based on his blessed life; remove the blessings and Job will respond with sin; his goal is to separate man from God. He hopes to ruin Job and his devotion to God. What does God know about Job or seem to be confident about regarding Job? - Job will demonstrate that God is worthy of love apart from the blessings He provides; that Job loved God, trusted Him and served Him. That he would remain faithful to God. Could someone read verses 13-19? (Be sure and thank them for reading.) Why do you think good people suffer in this world? - Own poor choices, willful irresponsibility, sinful actions; sometimes its evil people s sinful actions against good people, and sometimes it s nature itself that brings evil, sickness, and death upon us. When Life Is Unfair 21

22 Week 2 Tips: When people partner up in pairs to pray, it will build trust and intimacy over time. This is a great way to have your group improve overall discussion. The more people you end up trusting in your group, the more open your discussion time will be. Although it is possible to suffer consequences from our own volitional sin, not all suffering is related to a specific sin that we have done. We live in a fallen world and Satan (and the demonic forces) is/are a creature/s wielding power able to cause suffering. Jesus three times comments that Satan is "The Prince of this world" (John 12:31). Jesus is the only one powerful enough to rid this world of Satan. It says of Jesus ultimate cleansing of the world He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:4). Unlike the narrative of Job, sometimes we invite consequences, suffering, and judgement on ourselves due to our own actions. What are some examples of suffering that we bring about in our own lives? You could be general or specific to yourself. - Accept the answers that are explicitly related to our own free will and what we bring on ourselves due to our actions and attitudes. Conversely, much like the early church from last week s study, there is suffering we experience that comes from others evil actions toward us. What are some examples of suffering caused by others toward us? Instead of specifics toward us in the group, what are some evils we see inflicted on the innocent in our world? - Focus on the evil that is related to the suffering of large groups of people instead of personal examples - human trafficking, school When Life Is Unfair 22

23 Week 2 shootings, genocide, and holocaust like during WWII, recently in Rwanda & Cambodia, etc. What are some examples of nature causing suffering on the innocent? - Sickness, aging, natural disasters like wildfire, tornados, hurricanes, etc. Job helps us learn that bad things happen, but not necessarily because of God or judgement due to what we ve earned. God, because he loves us, steps in when evil happens against us unjustly and can turn it toward good when we allow him to. He never intends ANY evil. He allows it to happen because he is a Being that respects free will. He has free will and created his creatures to have the same in order that Love (which is by definition a free choice/will) may be the primary rule of the universe. He exercises his power by taking even the most horrible of evils (I.e. the crucifixion of the innocent Son of God) into good (the victory for humanity over sin and death). Could someone read verse 20-22? (Be sure and thank them for reading!) With everything swept away, and with Job in absolute darkness as to why these things happened to him, he did not sin nor charge God foolishly. Job not only refused to complain, but rather, he blessed the name of the Lord. With everything gone, he said both Amen and Ha"elujah. To fully understand the book of Job it must be read in its entirety. It addresses humanity s struggle with suffering and gives poetic voice to the way it effects us. It helps to remember that God does not leave Job to When Life Is Unfair 23

24 Week 2 wrestle alone with his frustrations. Instead, at the end of the book God directly speaks to Job from inside a raging storm. Job got the audience with God that he desired. With the help of the Spirit, we too have audience with God whenever we desire. Ministry Time Application: Are you aware of a family member or friend who is currently suffering or hurting? Let s call to mind those people and pray for them as a group. Maybe briefly share (without revealing information too sensitive) about a situation and ask s0meone else in the group to pray for it. If possible, take some time this week to go to the person the group prayed for, mourn with them, and spend time together. Our physical presence with a hurting person can be a great comfort in and of itself, even if we have no words to say. When Life Is Unfair 24

25 Week 2 Week 3 When Life Is Unfair 25

26 Week 3 A World At War Ephesians 6:10-20 Tip: There are more questions than your group will be able to get through, so feel free to pick and choose which ones you would like to use. Before the Lesson: Leaders, for this lesson you wi! need: blank sheets of paper, writing utensils for everyone, and possibly markers, crayons or colored pencils if you have them available. Make sure there is a suitable work surface for everyone to use (either thick magazines or books, or a table or solid floor.) For Ministry Time option 2 you wi! need 6 index cards or pieces of scrap paper. When Paul wrote the letter to the Ephesians, he was a prisoner of the Roman Empire. He spent his days guarded by Roman soldiers, and this particular passage is inspired by the uniform of the soldiers who spent their days guarding Paul. The reader would also very likely have seen uniformed soldiers, and would have easily pictured the different pieces of armor Paul describes. When Life Is Unfair 26

27 Ephesians 6: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. Week 3 Starting the Lesson: In the letter to Ephesians and in some of Paul s other letters, he talks about spiritual warfare. Our passage today is going to help us think about how to prepare for spiritual battles that we will face in our Christian lives. Today s discussion is also going to be a little more interactive than usual. We re going to spend some time near the end doing a short art project. Starter Questions: Almost everyone has watched movies with some sort of battle scene. What is your favorite battle scene or movie about a war? When you hear the word war, what images does that bring to mind? Opening Prayer: Lord, thank you for those who are with us today. We ask that your Spirit would be with us as we study your Word and that you would speak something valuable to the heart of each person here today. Amen. Scripture: Have at least two people read different versions of this week s passage (Ephesians 6:10-20). Remember to thank the readers! Discussion Questions: It may come as no great shocker to those gathered here, but it is always a good reminder. According to Paul, where should our strength come from? When Life Is Unfair 27

28 Week 3 Notes - The Lord and his power. The Lord, not ourselves or our whits, are where the Christian s strength comes from. This truth is often taken for granted or simply goes unacknowledged. Many people say they believe this, but operate as if God is not the source of their strength. It is not always intuitive or natural to allow God to give us strength and power. Sometimes a picture or metaphor can help us understand this. When we want to travel a great distance in a short amount of time, we need a car over our own foot power. Although we participate by steering or pressing the pedals, the power, speed, precision, and delivery mechanism is the car. Similarly (and not perfectly - God is not an automobile!), we can allow God s strength and power to do the real work whilst we only participate in our circumstances. Looking at verse 12, what are some common flesh and blood things we think we are struggling against? - For example, disagreements with others, political divides, people who don t like our beliefs, etc. As Christians, what does Paul say we are actually struggling against? - Rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world and spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Why is it important to have the right gear or armor before going into battle? What happens if you have the wrong kind of gear or not enough armor? When Life Is Unfair 28

29 Week 3 - The right gear protects you from harm and harsh environments. Not having the right gear might make it more difficult to fight off enemies or may leave you exposed to cold or heat. Assuming Paul is right and we are often under attack from our spiritual enemy Satan (and demons) how does the principle of correct armor apply to our spiritual battles? - Having the right spiritual armor protects us when we are dealing with spiritual warfare. It helps us resist our spiritual enemies and sometimes those who are under their influence. What do you think Paul means by the day of evil in verse 13? - Paul likely meant any day or time when the church or individual Christians might come up against the dark spiritual forces mentioned earlier. Armor is specifically meant for battle, but soldiers have to learn how to use their armor before going into battle, and they have to care for their armor to keep it in good shape for the day of battle. How might we train to use the armor of God? How can we keep our armor in good shape? - Allow a few minutes of discussion here. Some training comes from reading the Bible to discover the character of God, how he empowers and engages with us, and how we When Life Is Unfair 29

30 Week 3 Notes can access his help. Another might be learning from mature Christians who live a model lifestyle. Finally, one can attend our growing Vineyard Growth classes. Especially the higher level Maturity ( ) and Meeting God classes ( ). Even though it may seem like a younger person activity, it may help us to engage our bodies a bit. Let s do some drawing. (Pass out the blank paper and writing utensils.) We re going to draw our own Armor of God. Using verse 14-17, spend the next 5-10 minutes drawing your own representation of the 6 pieces of armor Paul mentions. If you aren t feeling artistic, you can write down some of your thoughts on each piece of armor instead. What comes to mind when you think of each piece? What images or ideas or themes? At the end of 10 minutes or so (set a timer), we ll take some time and have some show their drawing or talk about what they wrote. (As the leader, prepare for you to share first!) Ask the following questions during or after the sharing time: Which piece of armor do you feel most comfortable with? Which one do you have a difficult time wearing? Are there any that you don t quite understand? Which one do you think is most important? Look at verse 18. How does the armor of God connect with prayer? Is prayer perhaps the most important piece of armor? Why or why not? When Life Is Unfair 30

31 Week 3 - Prayer keeps us connected with God. Without prayer, the rest of the armor won t function as well as it needs to in order to keep us protected. Ministry Time Application Option 1: Every one of us experiences spiritual warfare, and it is good to pray for one another when we are battling spiritual forces. Break up into smaller groups of 2-4 and pray for one another s spiritual battles. Remember the armor of God as you pray for each other. Option 2: Before the meeting find 6 index cards or pieces of scrap paper and write one of the pieces of the armor of God on each one: 1. Belt of Truth 2. Breastplate of Righteousness 3. Shoes of the Readiness of the Gospel of Peace 4. Shield of Faith 5. Helmet of Salvation 6. Sword of the Spirit Hand out cards to those comfortable praying aloud and have them pray for the group for that specific piece of armor. If fewer than 6 people are in the group or are willing to pray, ask for volunteers to take more than one card. When Life Is Unfair 31

32 Week 3 Week 4 When Life Is Unfair 32

33 Week 4 Lies That Destroy John 9 Tip: The starter questions are meant to get the group thinking and spark discussion, so don t rush through them or attempt to get a solid answer for each one. Don t be afraid to wait for a while to see who speaks; and remember, there are no wrong opinions. Before the Lesson: Materials needed for ministry time: A timer and writing materials. We are in the midst of a sermon series entitled When Life is Unfair, a series meant to examine God s attributes and our relationship with him in light of difficult circumstances in our life. This lesson addresses the adversity we encounter even when the work of God is displayed in our lives. Today we ll be looking at a passage from the book of John. While the author of the book is unnamed within the text, called only the disciple whom Jesus loved, it is understood to be an eyewitness account written by John, one of Jesus s closest disciples. John states his purpose for writing the book in John 20:21: But these [miraculous signs] are When Life Is Unfair 33

34 Bible Verses: John 9 As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 As long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5 While I am in the world, I am the light of the world. 6 After saying this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man s eyes. 7 Go, he told him, wash in the Pool of Siloam (this word means Sent ). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing. 8 His neighbors and those who had formerly seen him begging asked, Isn t this the same man who used to sit and beg? 9 Some claimed that he was. Others said, No, he only looks like him. But he himself insisted, I am the man. 10 How then were your eyes opened? they asked. 11 He replied, The man they call Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes. He told me to go to Siloam and wash. So I went and washed, and then I could see. 12 Where is this man? they asked him. I don t know, he said. 13 They brought to the Pharisees the man who had been blind. 14 Now the day on which Jesus had made the mud and opened the man s eyes was a Sabbath. Week 4 written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. Starting the Lesson: Today we ll be taking a look at how people can react poorly to the work of God, even when his intervention seems obvious. We ll be reading from the book of John, which is an eyewitness account of Jesus s works from the man whom the book itself calls the disciple whom Jesus loved. This chapter of John tells a story of healing, but the reactions of the people who witness it may surprise you. Starter Questions: How important do you think it is to follow rules? Have you ever been completely convinced of something, only to later be proven wrong? Have you ever refused to listen to an opinion with which you disagree? Opening Prayer: Thank God for the people in attendance and ask him to bless the teaching and your time together. Scripture: Read John 9. Depending on the willingness of the members of the group to read aloud, you may want to call on one or several readers. Discussion Questions: When Life Is Unfair 34

35 15 Therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He put mud on my eyes, the man replied, and I washed, and now I see. 16 Some of the Pharisees said, This man is not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath. But others asked, How can a sinner perform such signs? So they were divided. 17 Then they turned again to the blind man, What have you to say about him? It was your eyes he opened. The man replied, He is a prophet. 18 They still did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they sent for the man s parents. 19 Is this your son? they asked. Is this the one you say was born blind? How is it that now he can see? 20 We know he is our son, the parents answered, and we know he was born blind. 21 But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don t know. Ask him. He is of age; he will speak for himself. 22 His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders, who already had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. 23 That was why his parents said, He is of age; ask him. 24 A second time they summoned the man who had been blind. Give glory to God by telling the truth, they said. We know this man is a sinner. 25 He replied, Whether he is a sinner or not, I don t know. One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see! Week 4 How do the disciples react to the blind man Jesus encounters in this chapter? - Verse 2: His disciples asked him, Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? What reason does Jesus give for the man s disability? - Verse 3: Neither this man nor his parents sinned, said Jesus, but this happened so that the work of God may be displayed in his life. Based on the question the disciples ask Jesus and the answer he gives them, what lie are the disciples believing about the blind man s condition? - The disciples are assuming that the man or his parents must have sinned against God to cause the man s blindness. What truth does Jesus tell in response to the disciples? - Affliction doesn t have to be the result of our sin. In fact, it can be used to help people see God. What was the reaction of the man s neighbors when he got healed? - Those who knew him said, Isn t this the same man who used to sit and beg? Some thought it was, and some would not believe it. When Life Is Unfair 35

36 26 Then they asked him, What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes? 27 He answered, I have told you already and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you want to become his disciples too? 28 Then they hurled insults at him and said, You are this fellow s disciple! We are disciples of Moses! 29 We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this fellow, we don t even know where he comes from. 30 The man answered, Now that is remarkable! You don t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. 31 We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly person who does his will. 32 Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. 33 If this man were not from God, he could do nothing. 34 To this they replied, You were steeped in sin at birth; how dare you lecture us! And they threw him out. 35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, Do you believe in the Son of Man? 36 Who is he, sir? the man asked. Tell me so that I may believe in him. 37 Jesus said, You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you. 38 Then the man said, Lord, I believe, and he worshiped him. 39 Jesus said, For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind. 40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, What? Are we blind too? 41 Jesus said, If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains. Week 4 Based on their reaction to the man s healing, what lie do some of his neighbors believe? - They knew this man to be blind and saw he wasn t; if they didn t believe in miraculous healing, the only alternative would be that this was not the same man they knew. Why were the Pharisees divided about the blind man s healing? - Jesus had healed the man on the Sabbath day, which had been designated as a day of rest in Old Testament law. Some took that as a sign that Jesus was not from God, for he does not keep the Sabbath (Verse 16). Others didn t think a sinner could perform miraculous signs. How did the man s parents react to interrogation about his healing? Why? - Verses 20-21: We know he is our son, the parents answered, and we know he was born blind. But how he can see now, or who opened his eyes, we don t know. Ask him Verse 22: His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews, for already the Jews had decided that anyone who acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ would be put out of the synagogue. Based on their reply to the Pharisees, what lie did the man s parents believe? - It s better to avoid the truth, or conflict, if it means losing status, even in the church. When Life Is Unfair 36

37 Week 4 What does the formerly blind man say when the Pharisees tell him to admit Jesus is a sinner? - Verse 27: One thing I do know: I was blind but now I see! Why does Jesus say the Pharisees are guilty? - Jesus says in verse 41 that if the Pharisees were truly blind, they would not be guilty of sin; now that they claim they can see, their guilt remains. What do you think Jesus means in his assessment of the Pharisees? - The Pharisees have assumed an unquestioning stance of moral superiority over the people; if they had acknowledged their ignorance of God rather than throwing people out of the church who disagreed with them, they might not have been considered guilty. How do you think you would have reacted if you were the blind man s neighbor and you witnessed his healing? What if you were his relative? What if he went to your church? Have you ever been guilty of holding on to some of the lies we ve seen in this chapter? What do you think is the best way to open our eyes to the lies we ve believed and experience the truth instead? - Consider that the blind man was very sure of what he knew, but didn t go beyond that: he When Life Is Unfair 37

38 Week 4 didn t speculate as to whether Jesus was a sinner, but only knew that he was once blind, now he wasn t, and that such miracles had to come from God. Ministry Time Application: Please thoughtfully choose one of the two options below based on what would be most effective and helpful for your group. Option 1: Pass out pens and paper, and tell the group they re going to take some time to pray for God to reveal some lies that they may be believing in their life. Give the group some time to pray in silence, and encourage them to try to write at least one thing that comes to mind. Have one of the group leaders open up in prayer with something like this: Holy Spirit, come. Lord, we know you can do immeasurably more than we can ask for or imagine, and tonight we ask that you move in our minds and hearts to reveal the truth of how you love us. After you ve given the group a few minutes to pray and write, open up the floor for people to share what they ve written, and then you can close ministry time by praying about those specific things. You ll want to stress that sharing is optional, and before choosing this option for ministry time, you ll want to pray about and seriously consider how comfortable your group is likely to be with being this vulnerable. When Life Is Unfair 38

39 Week 4 Option 2: Have the group break up into groups of two or three, guys with guys and girls with girls, and have them pray about the lies they feel might be present in their lives, or areas in which they feel they have difficulty discerning the truth of God. When Life Is Unfair 39

40 Week 4 Week 5 When Life Is Unfair 40

41 Week 5 God s Comfort in Suffering 2 Corinthians 1 Tips: You don t have to make sure every one of these gets answered. Your role is to be a discussion facilitator, not a professor; the idea isn t simply to give the group information, but to allow everyone to learn from the scripture and from each other. It s okay to spend more time on some questions than on others depending on how the group is responding. Before the Lesson:. Starting the Lesson:. Starter Questions:? Opening Prayer: Thank God for the people in attendance and ask him to bless the teaching and your time together. Scripture Reading: When Life is Unfair 41

42 Week 5 Depending on the willingness of the members of the group to read aloud, you may want to call on one or several readers. Discussion Questions: Ministry Time Application:. When Life is Unfair 42

43 Week 5 Week 6 When Life is Unfair 43

44 Week 6 How God Uses Pain in Your Life James 1:1-18 Before the Lesson: Tips: There are more questions than your group will be able to get through so feel free to PICK and CHOOSE which ones you would like to use! Remember to pause between questions. Waiting for people will help you identify quiet personalities in your group. The epistle of James was written by James, brother of Jesus, during a time of intense persecution for the early church as described in Acts 7 and 8. Almost all the followers of Jesus in Jerusalem were driven out of their homes and sought refuge in other cities. James is writing to those believers. They are living through grief, fear, and loss. His letter encourages believers to keep the right perspective even in the midst of their suffering. Starting the Lesson: When we are experiencing deep pain or loss in our lives, it can be incredibly hard to see past the fog of heaviness that falls upon us. We find ourselves just trying to wade through dense darkness to find relief. Clear vision regarding the purpose of our suffering can seem far When Life is Unfair 44

45 Bible Verses: James 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, [a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. 9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. Week 6 beyond our line of sight. And indeed, the reason for our suffering may never be clear to us. Still, as followers of Jesus, we can find encouragement in the fact that we have a powerful and perfect God who is constantly working on our behalf. He weeps with us, He sits with us, and then He takes even the things that the enemy meant for evil and He turns them into good. The understanding that God is always actively engaged should change the way we view suffering. James, Jesus brother, tells the early church how and his counsel continues to be relevant to our experience today. Before we turn to the words of his letter, let s pray. Opening Prayer: In your prayer, ask God to increase our ability to sense His presence. Ask Him to allow us to know the height and depth and breadth of His love for us and His goodness in our lives. Lastly, ask for strength and hope for those of us who are experiencing hard seasons. Starter Questions: Can you share an example of a time you confronted a challenge or went through something hard and grew from the experience? Can you describe what it feels like using the wisdom you gained from that challenging experience? Scripture: Depending on the willingness of the members of the group to read aloud, you may want to call on two or three readers. Have them read through James chapter 1 verses 1-18 twice and maybe ask someone to read the passage in an alternative translation. Remember to thank them for reading! When Life is Unfair 45

46 13 When tempted, no one should say, God is tempting me. For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is fullgrown, gives birth to death. 16 Don t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created. Week 6 Discussion Questions What do you think James means when he instructs readers to count it all joy and what is the reason he gives for this instruction (v.2-3)? - As followers of Jesus, we should have an expansive view of joy. Joy is not limited to the feelings associated with a particular circumstance; it also includes the fulfillment that comes with growth. Walking through trails with the presence and purpose of the Holy Spirit will lead to growth in our patience and perseverance. Even though it may not be pleasurable, the fruit of it in the lives of people of faith is something to be joyful about. According to verse 4, What is the role of perseverance in the life of the believe? - Perseverance makes us mature and content. We become people of character who are not easily swayed by the challenges of life. We learn about what is important and we focus on those things. Immediately after his instruction to count it all joy, James encourages us to ask for wisdom and to be certain of God s ability and willingness to provide it. Wisdom is critical to the process of growth especially in times of suffering when we may be especially tempted to make unwise decisions. Why does James also encourage us to cultivate hearts of humility (v.9-15)? - Humility is the evidence of a healthy and right perspective of life. Both our accomplishments When Life is Unfair 46

47 Week 6 and our failures are temporal. This means that boasting or wishing for something to boast about are futile. In the end, we everything will pass away. This should be a stabilizing consolation in the life of the believer who understands that it eternity that matters. This humility will help us to endure and endurance will breed more humility. After talking about suffering, wisdom, and humility, James reminds us of the goodness of God in verses 16 to 18. Why do you think he does that? - Accept answers. It at least touches on the theme of firstfruits so common in passages on pain and suffering. Suffering can act, by God s intervention, as a way to birth good things in us. This only demonstrates his great goodness toward us. There are many reasons that James himself can speak to suffering and humility. First, it is likely that Jesus humbled him. It is mentioned in the gospel of Mark that Jesus family (presumably including the author - his halfbrother James) accused Jesus of losing his mind. In Mark 3 we see the calling of the disciples and Jesus ramping up his public ministry. The ministry was causing quite a stir. Mark 3:20-21 says this, Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, He is out of his mind. The text goes on to say that teachers of the Law joined in with such accusations and even went so far as to say Jesus was demonized. This encounter and perhaps James absence at the cross (despite his mother When Life is Unfair 47

48 Week 6 being present) point to a high probability that James was a skeptic and outright critic of his half-brother Jesus. Yet, upon his resurrection Jesus reaches out to his halfbrother. Paul records it this way, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles (1 Cor. 15:5-7) Imagine how humbling that must have been! But, imagine how lovingly-restoring it was! James can surely speak to suffering after his family went through the loss of his father, the scandal of being related to Jesus, and seeing his friends murdered for their faith. Through all these things, James must have come out on the other side considering God to have worked these things for his good. Do you have a hard time believing that every good and perfect gift is from above? Why or why not? - Allow various answers and try to affirm whatever you can affirm. How have you seen the goodness of God in your own life lately? How have you seen His goodness in the lives of those around you? Even though it may have included suffering? - Allow various answers. Let s re-read verses Could someone do that? (Be sure and thank them for reading!) There were great disparities between members of the church. There were not only economic disparities, but gender, racial, and even cast disparities. The church was a place where all When Life is Unfair 48

49 Week 6 statuses were leveled because of Jesus atonement for sin at the cross. Those with wealth and power were being challenged (for the first time in their culture and society) to consider themselves low. The poor were being challenged (for the first time in their culture and society) to consider themselves high. What about these statements makes you feel comfortable? What about these statements makes you feel uncomfortable? - Allow various answers To keep in step with what James writes, what are ways that we can keep ourselves in check whether we are poor or wealthy? - Allow various answers Ministry Time Application: Ask everyone to sit in silence for two minutes. If they are going through a trying time, ask them to pray for wisdom and humility. If they are not going through a trying time, ask them to pray for someone they know who is. Once they are finished praying, read this Psalm aloud. The Psalms can be a great resource for us when we are suffering and loss for words. Psalm 42 As the deer [b]pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and [c]appear before God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, When Life is Unfair 49

50 Week 6 Tips: When people partner up in pairs to pray, it will build trust and intimacy over time. This is a great way to have your group improve overall discussion. The more people you end up trusting in your group, the more open your discussion time will be. While they continually say to me, Where is your God? 4 When I remember these things, I pour out my soul within me. For I used to go with the multitude; I went with them to the house of God, With the voice of joy and praise, With a multitude that kept a pilgrim feast. 5 Why are you [d]cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him [e]for the help of His countenance. 6 [f]o my God, my soul is cast down within me; Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, And from the heights of Hermon, From [g]the Hill Mizar. 7 Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls; All Your waves and billows have gone over me. 8 The Lord will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, And in the night His song shall be with me A prayer to the God of my life. 9 I will say to God my Rock, Why have You forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy? 10 As with a [h]breaking of my bones, My enemies [i]reproach me, While they say to me all day long, Where is your God? When Life is Unfair 50

51 Week 6 11 Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; For I shall yet praise Him, The [j]help of my countenance and my God. When Life is Unfair 51

52 Week 6 Week 7 When Life is Unfair 52

53 Week 7 The Blessing of Talking to Yourself Psalm 42 & Matthew 9:20-22 Tips: There are more questions than your group will be able to get through so feel free to PICK and CHOOSE which ones you would like to use! Sometimes when asking a question you may need to wait as long as 30 seconds for people to answer. Internal processors have much wisdom, but are slow to speak. Make adequate space for all the internal processors! Before the Lesson: Psalm 42, the primary scripture passage for this lesson, is from the point of view of someone exiled to a place far from Jerusalem, unable to worship in the temple and fully experience being near to the presence of God. Similarly, the woman at the center of the short passage in Matthew was also experiencing a kind of exile: suffering from the illness of blood meant she had been unclean for a decade, also unable to experience worship fully. This week s lesson isn t merely about a way to deal with unfairness, but a look at the universal feeling of being separated from God, and the yearning we all have to be near to Him. When Life Is Unfair 53

54 Psalm 42 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, Where is your God? 4 These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go to the house of God under the protection of the Mighty One with shouts of joy and praise among the festive throng. 5 Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. 6 My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon from Mount Mizar.- 7 Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me. 8 By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me a prayer to the God of my life. 9 I say to God my Rock, Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy? 10 My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, Where is your God? 11Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Week 7 Starting the Lesson: Life not going the way we d hoped is about as inevitable as death and taxes. So how do you get through the everyday moments of life when it feels like the world is against you? Today we re going to talk about a tactic that we find in scripture that you may not have noticed before: The blessing of talking to yourself. Starter Questions: Do you have a saying, quote, or Bible verse that you repeat to yourself when times are tough? What is it? Have you ever felt as if you were trying to do life on your own, and didn t know where to turn? How did you find strength in that situation? Opening Prayer: In your prayer, thank the Lord for all that have come to group today, and to help us remember that even when life is unfair, the presence of God is always with us. Scripture: Have two or three volunteers read through the Bible passage out loud. It may help to have it read twice! (Maybe ask someone to read it in an alternative translation like the NLT or a paraphrase like the Message.) Discussion Questions: Let s begin by reading Psalm 42 aloud. In the opening verses, what analogy does the psalmist use to describe how he feels about God? When Life Is Unfair 54

55 Week 7 - A deer panting for water Most of us have experienced pausing after an exhausting or hot day for a drink of water. Can you describe how that first sip of water made you feel? Why might the writer have chosen this to explain his relationship with God? In verses 2-3, the narrator gives us a picture of what has been happening in his life. What has he been experiencing? - He wants to meet with God, he has been mourning/crying, others have been taunting him for experiencing distance from God Can you relate to the narrator here? Have you been in a place where you felt far from God, and as if instead of any life-giving food, all you were consuming were tears? If you re comfortable sharing, can you tell the group about this time in your life and how you came to find yourself there? One of the most beautiful things about the poetry of the Psalms is that it gives us glimpses into the emotions of God s people. What we find when we read them is that the writers struggled with the same things we still do today. Even David, a man described by God himself as a man after his own heart, wrote many psalms crying out to God to come near. You are not alone in feeling alone. The writer of Psalm 42 spends the rest of the passage describing how he deals with this feeling of being separated from God s presence. What does he do in verse 4? When Life Is Unfair 55

56 Matthew 9: Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed. 22 Jesus turned and saw her. Take heart, daughter, he said, your faith has healed you. And the woman was healed at that moment. Week 7 - Remembers previous times of worship In verse 5, we find a refrain that appears in the middle and end of this psalm. Let s read this aloud together: vv. 5, 11: Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I wi" yet praise him, my Savior and my God. Who or what is the psalmist talking to in this verse? - Himself/his soul Often in the psalms, we find poems directed to God. Why do you think the narrator is talking to himself instead of God here? - As a reminder and encouragement to himself to continue putting hope in God The lesson this week is titled The Blessing of Talking to Yourself. Sometimes in our culture, the act of talking to oneself is looked down on as a sign of a problem, even the lack of control. However, we re looking at it not as a symptom, but as a blessing. What do you think it is about talking to yourself, in the way that the writer does in Psalm 42, that makes it a blessing? Being able to remind ourselves of God s presence and goodness, of the hope that comes from a savior, is a balm that can heal and console us when things are unfair. In a short but moving story in Matthew, we see how this act of talking to ourselves can literally change our life. When Life Is Unfair 56

57 Week 7 Let s read Matt 9: What was the woman in this passage afflicted with? - She had a bleeding disorder According to Old Testament laws, this problem of bleeding made her ceremonially unclean (see Leviticus 15:25-31). Anything she touched, and anyone who touched her, would have also been unclean, which we can imagine kept her at the margins of her society, unable to participate, especially at the temple. Surely this must have been a lonely, painful, and embarrassing existence. In verse 20, what does the woman do? - She comes up behind Jesus, and touches his cloak How does she justify this action? - She believes that if she can touch his garment, she ll be healed) This was an incredibly bold and risky move on the woman s part, touching a teacher s clothing while unclean. How does Jesus respond in verse 22? - He tells her that her faith has healed her In this scene, we see another example of someone talking to themselves. The woman s faith is demonstrated by her reminding herself that Jesus can heal her. How might her practice of talking to herself be considered a blessing? When Life Is Unfair 57

58 Week 7 - It built up her faith and showed her trust in Jesus When life is unfair, there are lots of reactions we could have: anger, devoting ourselves to prayer, despair. In those moments, we can also embrace the blessing of talking to ourselves, and remember that we can speak hope and faith into our own lives and experiences, as both the psalmist and the woman in Matthew did. Ministry Time Application Please thoughtfully choose one of the two options below based on what would be most effective and helpful for your group. Option 1: Tell the group they re going to spend a few minutes praying out loud as a group. Encourage people to pray as they feel led; give the prayer some structure by designating a leader to open the group in prayer and a leader to conclude the prayer time. Have one of the group leaders open up in prayer with something like this: Holy Spirit, come. Lord, we thank you for the chance to know you and approach your throne of grace with confidence, and we ask you to move in our hearts and speak into our lives. Option 2: Have the group break up into groups of two or three, guys with guys and girls with girls, and have them share with each other and pray for each other about the places in their life where they ve given anger too much control, and the places where they ve failed to get angry enough about sin and destruction. When Life Is Unfair 58

59 Week 7 Week 8 When Life Is Unfair 59

60 Week 8 The Best Is Yet To Come Revelation 22 Tip: The starter questions are meant to get the group thinking and spark discussion, so don t rush through them or attempt to get a solid answer for each one. Don t be afraid to wait for a while to see who speaks; and remember, there are no wrong opinions. There are more questions than your group will be able to get through so feel free to PICK and CHOOSE which ones you would like to use! Before the Lesson: One of the su!estions for ministry time invites the group to reflect on the words of Julian of Norwich: A" sha" be we", and a" sha" be we", and a" manner of thing sha" be we". You may want to have this printed out on slips of paper for your group, or consider writing it somewhere the group can see it so that they can remember it and repeat it during the exercise. The book of Revelation is unique in that it is the only book in the canon that is, in its entirety, an apocalyptic book. Apocalyptic literature was a normal genre in the time of its writing. We see in the book of Revelation a number of familiar elements to the genre generally: it speaks of hidden things being revealed from God to the When Life Is Unfair 60

61 Revelation 22: Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. 6 The angel said to me, These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place. 7 Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll. 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. Week 8 visionary character (in this case, John); it uses dramatic and other worldly symbolism to speak about real people, nations, or events past and present for the author; it uses fantastical events to intentionally state theological truths. John identifies himself as the author of Revelation, and says he is writing from the island of Patmos (southwest of Ephesus by about 62 miles). The book seems to be describing the recent periods of Christian persecution at the hands of a Roman emperor, which has led most historians to date the work sometime just after Nero (who reigned between CE) or just after Domitian (c CE). Broadly speaking, it is unlikely Revelation was written before 68 CE or after 120 CE. Starting the Lesson: In this lesson, we will be concluding our series of lessons discussing When Life is Unfair. We know from experience that doing the right thing, living a faithful and honest life, does not necessarily afford us success, wealth, peace, safety, or even enough food for a meal. But, one of the most important claims the New Testament makes is that something wonderful something we can have hope for is yet to come. In this lesson we will read together about what is promised to us, eventually. The passage we will be looking at in this lesson, Revelation chapter 22, is the very last chapter found in our Christian canon. Early Christians chose to conclude the collection of books we call the Bible with these words. They are very important words, and they make a very important promise to all of God s people. When Life Is Unfair 61

62 9 But he said to me, Don t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God! 10 Then he told me, Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is near. 11 Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile; let the one who does right continue to do right; and let the holy person continue to be holy. Week 8 But first. Starter Questions: Can someone give me a brief example of a story they love that has a happy ending? Why do you like the way this story ends? Can you describe a time where you really hoped for something (a change in circumstances, a job, a relationship, or a great meal) and that hope was realized? How did you feel when that thing happened (i.e. relieved, joyful, thankful, unsatisfied)? What is something you are hoping for right now? Opening Prayer: Pray for God to speak to each person as you study the Bible together. Pray that the discussion will bring new hope and excitement for what is ahead. Scripture: Invite someone in your group to read the passage. Discussion Questions: What are some examples of imagery found in verses 1 through 5? - Crystal clear rivers and the throne of God and the Lamb. The tree of life on each side of the river, yielding monthly fruit. There is a city and all its inhabitants will serve the Lord and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more nighttime or darkness, only light. When Life Is Unfair 62

63 Week 8 Most historians believe that this book was written in the wake of a period of Christian persecution from the Roman emperor (either Nero or Domitian). With that in mind, what do these images have in common? How would these images be encouraging to John s audiences? - There can be a number of right answers here, but some themes worth mentioning are that a number of these things give and sustain life. They are nourishing (a refreshing drink from a cool stream or a banquet-style dinner of the freshest of a foods) and reliable (because of their source). For those without electricity in particular, the darkness is dangerous and unsettling. But the light alleviates that fear and danger. And the images of God and the Lamb on the throne indicate that God is in charge. This certainly would be a comfort to those who had just survived a period where the emperor of Rome wanted these Christians dead! What is a feature of the city John describes that excites you or brings you hope and joy? - There are several things John describes that could bring hope or joy to your group. When someone gives an example of something, feel free to ask them Why does that excite you? as a follow up. Some examples might be that the leaves of the When Life Is Unfair 63

64 Week 8 tree are for the healing of nations. That there is healing of the nations in this picture is great news! Or, that God s people will get to see God s face will be a new and wonderful thing for us. Maybe your group is just excited that food and drink is readily available for all of us. What is John s response to the angel that delivered this prophecy to him? - He falls down at the angel s feet and worships the angel. What is the angel s response to John? - The angel tells John not to worship him, but to worship God alone instead. Why do you think the book of Revelation includes this detail about John worshipping the angel and the angel correcting him? What are the theological implications of this exchange? - John clearly wants to communicate to the audience/reader something about angels, God, and worship. It s a strange passage to be sure, but it informs us that the angels join us as fellow servants to God, and we have a shared mission together for God s glory, with our own role to play. We can also gather that only God is to be worshipped. It s also interesting to see the person who has just been given all this information about things to come and the Kingdom of When Life Is Unfair 64

65 Revelation 22: Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city. 15 Outside are the dogs, those who practice magic arts, the sexually immoral, the murderers, the idolaters and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. 16 I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give you this testimony for the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, and the bright Morning Star. 17 The Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let the one who hears say, Come! Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone adds anything to them, God will add to that person the plagues described in this scroll. 19 And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. Week 8 Heaven still have some confusion or misdirected worship. He is a human character through and through! In verse 11, the angel says Let the one who does wrong continue to do wrong; let the vile person continue to be vile. What do you think the angel is saying here, and what is he not instructing? - It would be wrong to believe that the angel is communicating unrepentant sinfulness. If we were to read the rest of the book of Revelation, we would see that Jesus has some harsh, corrective words for a number of different churches at this time. Jesus wants his people to be repentant and to walk righteously and humbly in his path. So, it could be that this verse is simply describing the way things are that in spite of God s directions and mercy people will continue to be sinful and far from Jesus, and we should not expect this to change prior to the Jesus return (also called the Parousia) Have someone read Revelation 22:12-21 Jesus repeats a promise twice in this passage. What is Jesus promise to John and his audience? - I am coming soon! vv. 12,20. Why does Jesus say this, and what are the implications of his imminent return for John s audience? - Though Revelation (or the rest of the Bible) does not tell us that Jesus soon returned to When Life Is Unfair 65

66 20 He who testifies to these things says, Yes, I am coming soon. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God s people. Amen. Week 8 John s audience, Jesus clearly wanted them to hopefully expect his return. The soon we read here is probably not the kind of soon that John s audience expected. But, the promise is clear Jesus will return. We are not entirely sure why Jesus says that he will return soon, but it is likely that the Lord wanted to give those who have been righteous and faithful to him hope that they can look forward to all things being made right again. And for those who were off the rails of God s track, this is a warning that time passes quickly and now is the time for repentance and making God the Lord of their lives. Jesus says in verses 14 and 15 that those who wash their robes are blessed and will have access to the tree of life, and then he describes some of the people who are outside the city gates. What is Jesus saying in this verse, and how should we respond to it? - One misunderstanding of this text could be that good people go to heaven and bad people go to hell. This is not what the Scriptures say. Another misunderstanding is that because of Jesus resurrection and grace our actions in life do not matter in the afterlife. This is also not what Scripture teaches. Jesus offers a genuine warning that there will be people on the outside of the gates of the city. And because we want to be fully integrated people in the courts of the Kingdom of God, we should strive to be When Life Is Unfair 66

67 Week 8 people who are faithful to God, moral with our hearts, bodies and minds, who value the life of others, and who value truth and honesty. Because we know the types of people who will be in the city, we have a course to pursue for ourselves as citizens. The book of Revelation, and the Christian Bible, ends with this confession of God s people: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God s people. Amen. Why are these the last sentences in the Bible, and how can we respond to them? - These sentences have a lot to say, so there will likely be several different answers. Some important considerations are that they identify Jesus as the Lord and invite him to come to earth (bringing the Kingdom with him). They issue the blessing to God s people that they would be given grace from Jesus. The passage offers hope that Jesus will in fact come again and make all things right and new. And the passage ends with an Amen. That is, it punctuates the Bible with a shared agreement of these things among God s people. We agree together, as Christians, that we invite and await the Lord s return, and his generous grace. When Life Is Unfair 67

68 Week 8 Ministry Time Application: Please thoughtfully choose one of the two options below based on what would be most effective and helpful for your group. Option 1: In the 14th century, in the city of Norwich, Norfolk, England there lived a Christian author and anchoress named Julian. At a time where plagues were killing off majorities of the population, where the state Church was corrupt and splitting at the seams, and where violent revolutions were normal, Julian wrote these words: All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of thing shall be well. Invite your group to spend 2-5 minutes sitting quietly meditating on these words. You can direct the group that if their minds start to wander, repeat the words again. You might invite them to think of something that seems really terrible right now, and then have them pray that God would give them hope that even that thing will be made well somehow, at some time. Option 2: Revelation 22 is a great example of God using his disciples (like John) to bring encouragement and hope to his people. Invite the Holy Spirit to show the members of your group how they can be God s voice of encouragement and hope to those around them. Ask the Lord to help them avoid platitudes or misguided optimism, but rather that they would take seriously their role in God s coming Kingdom, and that they would be partners with Christ in the healing of the world. Ask the When Life Is Unfair 68

69 Week 8 Holy Spirit to show them how to have hope and to share hope with others. When Life Is Unfair 69

70 Ministry Time When Life Is Unfair Read through all of the Ministry Time ideas for each week before you begin teaching through the series. This will help you plan and pray for stronger impact! Blessings! Week 1: Make space, maybe 3-5 minutes, to wait on God to speak. Maybe God has been speaking to someone in the group about their own personal groans and longings for something in particular to be made right. Maybe someone needs hope right now in the midst of the uncertainty or even darkness of their life. Maybe someone needs fresh vision of a current situation, and specifically needs hope that there is a positive future outcome that God has in store. Ask God to reveal and to speak to each person in the group. After the short period of 3-5 minutes, ask group members to share aloud if they are comfortable. Then break down into smaller groups of 2-4 to pray for one another. Week 2: Are you aware of a family member or friend who is currently suffering or hurting? Let s call to mind those people and pray for them as a group. Take some time this week to go to the person, mourn with them and spend time together. Our physical presence with a hurting person can be a great comfort in and of itself, even if we have no words to say. When Life Is Unfair 70