No Pain No Gain Pt. 3 “Suffering You Should Avoid”

Making sense of suffering.

The Story of Sampson: Judges 13-16

1 Peter 4:15

1 Peter 3:17-18

What needs to be from your life to your future?

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION

Start talking. 

• What was one of the dumbest things you did that got you into a lot of unnecessary trouble?

Start thinking. 

• Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy. We make decisions that hurt ourselves. Why do you think we often make decisions that undermines our own best interest? 
• What do you think you could do that could help you protect yourself from you, i.e. What could you do that would protect yourself from making decisions that are unwise or possibly harmful to yourself? 

Start sharing.

• Read and discuss: Share what you think Peter is trying to teach us as it relates to the suffering we should avoid. 
  • • 1 Peter 4:15 (NLT) – 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs.
    • 1 Peter 3:17-18 (TLB) – 17 Remember, if God wants you to suffer, it is better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong!
• If you’re currently suffering from something you mostly did to yourself, and if it’s appropriate to share with the group, let them know what it is and how they can help. 
• When people have injured themselves through their own poor decisions, what do you think are some helpful responses they should receive from their brother and sisters in the Lord? 

Start praying. 

• Ask the group to stop and take time to share prayer requests and pray for one another. 

Start doing. 

• • Often needless suffering can be avoided if we cut something or someone out of our lives or cut them or it off from their influence.
  • Is yours a who or a what?
  • Who?____________________ (put their name here).

• What? ___________________ (put what it is here).