Use this space to take your general notes during the message.

Ice breaker: When was a time that you can remember asking the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people"?

It’s a question we all find ourselves asking from time to time. It's normal to think that bad things should only happen to bad people. Yet, look at Jesus. He was perfect and as we see in scripture, the worst possible thing happened to the best possible person. How does it feel to think about that?

Pastor Jonathan gave us several possible reasons why bad things happen to good people. Which ones stick out to you why?
-Presence of evil: There is evil in everyone and one day God will remove it
-Unwise choices (sin): We bring it on ourselves
-Life Happens: Natural disasters, disease, accidents
-God's testing and training: He is preparing and growing us
-We don't know: There is no acceptable answer to make things okay

Most of life is a struggle. The Old Testament and the New Testament begin with struggles. What elements of struggle do you see woven throughout the following verses? Though the circumstances and events might be different, do you see similarities in some of your own struggles?
-Job 14:1 NLT
-James 1:2-3 NIV
-John 16:33 NLT

Many times, we must journey with and often sit with suffering. However, two things are true: Bad things happen & God is real. He is loving and kind. Pastor Jonathan said it like this; "the presence of God is not the absence of suffering, and the presence of suffering is not the absence of God". How is this true?

Here are a few reminders of God's truth from Pastor Jonathan. Read and reflect on these truths. Then, go to our Father in prayer. Ask Him to show you ways that you can move forward in the struggles of life.
-Evil & suffering are real for all: It is not because of not praying
-God uses struggle to shape us: Nothing helps us become more than struggle
-God’s not finished yet: The story isn’t over in your life. God is always working
-It won’t always be this way: God’s not ok with the way things are and change is coming
-God is with us: Even if don’t see it or feel it, we can know there is a certain outcome