Click here for the sermon discussion questions or see them listed below. We highly encourage you to listen, think, and talk about the sermon. These are questions you can reflect on by yourself, with your family, or with your small group.

Discussion Questions

1. God’s purpose in the life of a Christian, is to make him or her more like Jesus Christ.  How does allowing hard and even painful things in our lives, help to accomplish that purpose?  How does this change your perspective on challenging situations in your life? 
2. Why is it comforting to know that Romans 8:28 says all things work together for good?  How would it be different if it said some things or many things?  For whom do all things work together for good?  Does that include you?
3. Why do we sometimes question the goodness of God?  What are we failing to understand when we do this?  Ultimately, what is God’s most convincing proof that He loves you? 
4. We almost always want the easiest way, the path of least resistance. Why do you think your heavenly Father doesn’t always give this to you?  What do you think God wants you to learn through difficult situations?
5. An oyster’s pearl is an example of “pain surrounded by beauty”.  How does this illustration help you when you are in the middle of a painful situation?