Overview
As Jack Kuhatschek leads you through these 9 studies on God's comfort, you will discover how to meet God in the midst of your struggles and disappointments and how to receive his strength and grace.
Introduction
Getting the Most Out of God's Comfort
This section introduces the topic, explains the structure followed in each study and offers tips for those approaching the study on their own as well as those participating in a group.
Session One
When Your World Falls Apart
Although Job does not answer his own question, why would it be wrong to accept good from God but not trouble?
Job 1–2
Session Two
The God of All Comfort
In verses 8–9 Paul describes a time of intense personal pain. What words reveal the magnitude of his suffering? Why is it important to learn how to rely on God rather than ourselves during life's trials?
2 Corinthians 1:3–11
Session Three
Praying Our Pain
In addition to "How long, O Lord," what other questions do you tend to ask during difficult times? Why do you think David is so certain that God has heard and accepted his prayer?
Psalm 6
Session Four
Waiting for the Lord
How does it give you hope to know that the Lord is your stronghold (or "mighty fortress") during battle and your shelter from life's storms?
Psalm 27
Session Five
The Power of Weakness
Like Paul, we often assume that God's power is best displayed by removing our weaknesses. Why does the Lord sometimes refuse to remove our "thorns"?
2 Corinthians 12:1–10
Session Six
Wounds that Heal
The Greek word translated as "witnesses" is related to the English word martyr and refers to those who testify. What do you suppose these witnesses are saying to us as we run?
Hebrews 12:1–13
Session Seven
The Suffering God
Why do you think Jesus' loud cry and the way he dies convinces the Roman centurion that Jesus is the Son of God?
Mark 15:1–39
Session Eight
The Death of Death
If there were no hope of being raised from the dead, how would it affect Paul's lifestyle—and ours?
1 Corinthians 15
Session Nine
The Shattered Silence
Why does a true vision of God's character cause us to declare with Job: "I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer—twice, but I will say no more"?
Job 38; 40:1–14; 42:1–6
Leader's Guide
This section includes information on preparing and leading studies, components of small groups, selected discussion questions, and background notes and suggestions for each study.
Total number of pages—64 pages
Jack Kuhatschek is executive vice president and publisher for Baker Books (Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan). The originating editor of the LifeGuide® Bible Study series, he wrote the study guides Abraham, David, Galatians, Hope, Paul, Pleasing God, Romans, Self-Esteem and Spiritual Warfare. He also wrote the book Applying the Bible and coauthored (with Cindy Bunch) the book How to Lead a LifeGuide® Bible Study.
