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Follow the directions below for a guided group discussion with a friend, in a family, small group, etc. Grab a Scripture Card (printed or electronic) and simply follow steps from 1 to 6 on this page and the next.

DISCUSSION HELP:

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SCRIPTURE CARD GUIDE FOR GROUP DISCUSSION“SERIOUSLY?” – DECEMBER 5 & 6

SERIES OVERVIEW:

2020 has seemed like one crisis after another: global, national, and personal. It may feel a lot more like Crisismas than Christmas this year. The first Christmas wasn’t much different. It might just give us some wisdom and perspective.

Use follow-up questions to take the discussion deeper. Guide answers to be honest and real.

Can you say more about that?

How have you seen that play out in your life?

What does that stir up in you?

Has anyone else had a similar thought or experience?

What might God be inviting you to do?

OPENING PRAYER:About 1 minute

Ask for a volunteer from the group to open in prayer. Consider reading Psalm 31:1-3 as part of the opening prayer.

BIG IDEA:About 10 seconds to read

Humanity is no stranger to crisis. If God is good and loving why do bad things happen to good people? Why do bad things happen to you?

INTRO QUESTION(S:About 15 minutes

See Romans 5:3, and 2 Corinthians 12:9. God does not cause bad to occur, but He can use it for our good. How have you seen God use hard times in the past for your good or the good of others?

SCRIPTURE READING + GROUP DISCUSSIONAbout 40–45 minutes

Read the entire scripture passage aloud as a group and discuss the questions on the card above. Use the Discussion Help sidebar to encourage deeper discussion.

When things go wrong, we can sometimes struggle in our understanding of what God is doing. We might wonder whether God fully cares, or if He is all-powerful, or if He is even good. What Scriptures are helpful to recall when these misconceptions arise?

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LIVE IT OUT:About 10 minutes

Read this section aloud. Invite the group to take the steps suggested. Discuss how you could live these out as an individual or a group in the next week to two weeks.

For additional reading on why do good things happen to bad people, check out this article: exploregod.com/articles/the-problem-of-evil

CLOSING GROUP PRAYER:About 10 minutes

Read the prayer section on the card aloud, and take a moment of silence for each person to reflect on the prayer prompt personally. Consider how you would fill in the blank below. Say it aloud in a popcorn-style prayer when prompted.

The group leader or apprentice will close the group time with the following prayer:

Father God, You are a good, good Father. Every good and perfect gift is from You. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus, to pay the penalty of our sin on the cross and for giving us new life through faith in Him. When crisis comes, help us to run to You, Lord. Give us faith like Zechariah and Elizabeth to continue to trust and follow You knowing You will always bring good, even in times we may not see it. Let us live by faith and not by sight.

We especially ask for help in these areas of our lives now_______________________________________________. (ie: our fears, family relationships, health, work, trusting God in difficulties, other?)

Amen.