Week of May 25, 2025  –  Why Did God Allow This To Happen?

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Life is full of questions—big ones, personal ones, and ones that keep us up at night. Maybe you’ve wondered: What does it mean to be a disciple? Is the Holy Spirit still active today? What does God think about life in the womb, and the woman carrying it? How do we fight in spiritual battles we can’t see? And why does God allow so much suffering if He’s good?

You’re not alone in asking. We asked you, on social media and in person, what questions you wanted answered most, and this series is our response. Join us as we open God’s Word to find biblical truth, real hope, and practical guidance for life’s hardest and most heartfelt questions.

Small Group Study Guide

Ice Breaker Questions

• Have you ever had something frustrating or inconvenient happen, only to realize later that it was a blessing in disguise? Share your story.

Read Together 

Read each passage aloud together, then discuss:

• Hebrews 11:33–12:3 (NLT) – Heroes of the faith, endurance through suffering
• Daniel 3:16–18 – Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace
• Romans 8:18, 28 – Present suffering and God’s sovereign purpose

Group Discussion Questions

1. Rooted in Scripture
   
   • What stands out to you from Hebrews 11:33–12:3? What kind of faith is being described?
   • Read Daniel 3:16–18. What do you admire most about their response to the king?
   • Why is it important to say both “God is able” and “even if He doesn’t” in the same breath?
2. Digging Deeper
   • Bryan said the Bible is a story between two gardens: Eden and Revelation. What happens in the “middle garden” of Gethsemane? Why is this relevant to our suffering
     
   • In what ways does Hebrews 12:3 encourage you when you’re tempted to give up?
   • When have you seen God work through suffering or delays in your life?

Personal Application

Two Fisted

• • ✊ Second Fist: “Even if not, I will still trust Him.”
  • ✊ First Fist: “God is able.”

     

• What would it look like to practice this kind of faith in your current trial?

Action Steps

• Cling – Write down one situation you need to trust God in. On one side, write “God is able.” On the other side, write “Even if not.” Post it somewhere visible this week.

   

• Encourage – Call or text someone who is walking through suffering. Share Hebrews 12:3 with them.

   

• Reflect – Revisit a time when God brought beauty from brokenness in your life. Thank Him for being present in the fire.

Closing Prayer

“Lord, You are able. You are powerful. You are good. But even when we don’t understand, even when life hurts, even when the fire burns hot—we will trust You. Give us the strength to hold on with both hands and never give up. Help us see not just the backside of our story, but trust that You are weaving something beautiful on the front. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”