The Gospel in Hard Times

Brennan Manning once said “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians: who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, walk out the door, and deny Him by their lifestyle. That is what an unbelieving world simply finds unbelievable.”
If that is the cause of Atheism then probably the greatest single cause of agnosticism is the questions surrounding why there is suffering in the world. Where is God when it hurts?
This book is written in a Life Group format that allows the group to process through these thoughts and questions in a safe way.
Each session has articles, and stories of where God has shown up in the real life examples of those who suffered in many different ways. Some through sickness, some through grief, and many others. Included are video links with the stories of some who discuss how God has shown up in their lives.
Where is God when it hurts? Check this title out and help those in your group seek God's word to see that He never leaves us nor forsakes us!

When suffering, people ask Why? with a clenched fist and when they are able to ask Why? with a searching heart, that is when the gospel can heal

Joni leads a ministry of compassion as she has lived with a disability since she was a young woman with the world ahead of her. Along with her husband, they lead a ministry that ministers to the disabled, the forgotten, and help others to the cause as well.

Suffering is not new to anyone but how we respond and love others is how we love others to Christ and to the gospel. Each chapter is done in parts as it gives the reader time to digest, pray, and apply to our own hearts but to those that are suffering as well. What keeps us from feeling the pain of others and walking with them thru the suffering? Chapter 8 was the most significant to me as it deals with hope. If we struggle with suffering in our own life, it will be difficult to help others thru it as well. It is when we see, experience, the hope of the gospel, we begin to heal. Each chapter tells stories of Joni and Friends of those that suffered greatly and how each one was able to hope in the gospel. And in turn not waste their suffering but turn their suffering into something greater than themselves. It is very humbling to read but it is so needed in our churches.

This is a great study for a church group that is looking to do ministry. To heal their own hearts and those that are suffering. Highly recommend.

A Special Thank you to New Growth Press and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review

This is not a light and fluffy group Bible study. Exploring suffering is serious business and hits home to so many. It is not a theoretical Bible study either. There are videos available for each lesson that have testimonies by real people who have suffered real tragedy. (Links to the videos are in the text.) This is the kind of Bible study to be shared in a group of trusted friends as I think there will be times of deep ministry.

The format of each study includes a story to be read before the group meeting and then reflection questions. Next is a Bible lesson with discussion questions for the group session. The opportunity to watch the video follows with more discussion questions. Then there are suggestions for prayer and a final action plan, an activity to deepen the impact of the lesson. There is also a good section for leaders at the back of the book.

I found these lessons to be really thought provoking. The discussion questions made me think about how my relationship with God has been during hard times. I really appreciate the insights included in the lessons. For example, one lesson mentioned that emotions are like pain receptors are for the body. They alert us when something is wrong. Teaching was included as to understanding what is indicated and how to make it through. There are also good insights into how Jesus is our example in suffering and how God uses suffering.

This study does not pull back from the hard to understand realities of tragedy, even tragedies that happen to committed Christians. It does not gloss over the hard questions, like why God heals some and not others. It also draws attention to the need for churches to welcome and minister to those with severe needs. At the core of the study is Joni Eareckson Tada. A quadriplegic for over fifty years, suffering from chronic pain and a bout of breast cancer, she knows how God uses suffering. Her story is included in the lesson seven.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.