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Study Guide Questions for Painful QuestionsFacing Struggles With Faith Chapters 10 - 12 by Gary L. Watts |
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| Introduction | Chapters 1 - 3 | Chapters 4 -6 | Chapters 7 - 9 | Chapters 10 - 12 | Chapter 13 & Epilogue |
Chapter 10: A Look into the Future
Summary: No matter how hard we try, it seems impossible to explain why God allows some kinds of suffering (see chapter 7). In this case, we hope the future holds a joy that will make up for that pain. There are at least three ways in which the future can redress the suffering of the present:
First, it can provide a space for healing to take place. Second, it can reveal information that sheds new light on the situation. Third, it can grant us enough goodness to compensate for our present loss. This goodness may even include resurrection—the restoration of the very moments, experiences, and people that have been taken from us.
Related Scriptures: 2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 22:2; Rom. 8:18; Rom. 12:15.
Discussion Questions
1. In what ways might the "promise of heaven" be an excuse for not dealing with our problems in the here and now?
2. *Some have accused Christians of being "too heavenly minded to be of any earthly good." What truth is contained in this statement? Does this have to be true?
3. In what ways is the saying "time heals all wounds" true? In what ways is it false?
4. In your experience, what prevents psychological or emotional wounds from healing? Can the hope of heaven address these problems?
5. What types of relationships and experiences are necessary to help our wounds to heal? How are these necessary ingredients related to the biblical promise of new life?
6. Do you think it is possible that we might receive explanations (justifications) for our present sufferings when we arrive in heaven?
7. Why might it be dangerous or harmful to speculate now about the kinds of explanations (justifications) we may receive then?
8. *Dostoevsky asked this question: "If you had the power to create a world of creatures who would experience complete happiness and bliss, but in order to accomplish this end you would have to permit an innocent child to be tortured to death, would you do it?" How would you answer this question? Is this a helpful question?
9. What experience have you had in which later goodness and joy "made up for" the pain encountered along the way?
10. How is the idea of resurrection related to the ability of the future to compensate for the present?
Journal-Reflection Suggestion: Reflect on and then describe the meaning that the promise of heaven holds for you. Does this hope cause you to live your life differently? Are you better able to deal with difficulties because of the presence of this hope?
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Chapter 11: Can Good Come from Bad?
Summary: Unlike good, evil is not creative. It cannot build up; it can only tear down. Thus goodness always has the final word, because it is capable of constructing something new out of the broken pieces of evil’s destruction.
Such renewal, however, is not automatic. We must choose to allow God to work through us to create purpose in our suffering. Thus painful questions are also fact-changing questions because they contain a plea for help, to which love can respond.
Related Scriptures: Gen. 1:31; 2 Cor. 12:10; Phil. 2:12-13; Col. 2:15.
Discussion Questions
1. What is the point to the story about the bike trip around the reservoir in the Rocky Mountains (163-165)?
2. Is relief from pain actually a pleasure? If so, is this pleasure as important as others?
3. *Evil has often been defined as "the lack of good." What does this mean? From your experience, how does the power of good differ from the power of evil?
4. How is the definition above (# 3) related to the statement in Genesis 1 that everything God created was good?
5. Do you think evil is dependent upon good for its existence? Why, or why not?
6. What role does human choice play in bringing good out of evil circumstances?
7. How is our perspective changed by noting that life is an adventure rather than an easy road?
8. What is the difference between "facing" our problems and "resigning ourselves" to our problems?
9. *What problems arise from ignoring or denying our suffering or the suffering of others? Why are we sometimes tempted to do so?
10. What examples from Scripture show how God brought good out of bad?
Journal-Reflection Suggestion: Describe several (or all) situations you have witnessed where something good was brought out of bad circumstances. For this to happen, what was required on the part of the people involved?
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Chapter 12: The Power of Love
Summary: As caring and active agents, we are not willing simply to discuss the problem of pain and suffering. We want to do something about it. It is through the power of love that we are able to move beyond talk to action.
When we choose to live in a loving manner, we help to solve our problem in two ways: First, we can actually change the world for the better. If even one person’s suffering is relieved, then the question "Why me?" will have to be asked one less time. Second, each time we ease another’s pain, we find that our own conviction regarding the ultimate victory of justice and goodness is confirmed.
Related Scriptures: Matt. 5:44; 1 Cor. 13; 1 John 4:7-21.
Discussion Questions
1. Do our actions affect our thoughts? Explain why you agree or disagree with this idea.
2. How can the way we treat people affect our feelings about them?
3. Jesus said, "Pray for those who persecute you" (Matt. 5:44). Does praying for those who misuse us change us in any way?
4. *Love is an action, not an answer. In what way, then, does love respond to the question of human pain and suffering?
5. *Have you ever become involved in an activity that you previously had watched only from the outside? How did your participation affect your understanding and interest in the situation?
6. Do you think people actively involved in trying to solve the world’s problems are more hopeful or less hopeful? Why?
7. In the story of Oskar Schindler (185-186), the Talmud is quoted: "He who saves one life, it is as if he saves the world entire." What do you think this proverb means?
8. What is it about evil and destruction that allow them to so frequently overwhelm us?
9. Why is loving and creative action so often and so easily overlooked?
10. When you experience an act of goodness, does it affect the way you view the world?
Journal-Reflection Suggestion: Try to think of practical ways you could involve yourself in the fight for justice and goodness. Which of these have you already tried, and which could you find a way to attempt in the future?