The 911 Handbook
Study Guide Answers
Lesson 23/Chapter 21
When Bad Things Happen: The Rest of the Story
Answers are written in italics
Read Romans 8:28-30
Fact #1: We don't hope God is in control, we know it.
How is life like a jigsaw puzzle?
Our circumstances are like pieces of a much larger puzzle. We only see one piece of the puzzle at a time and some pieces have us puzzled while we wait for them to fit together.
Why is it important to know God is in control when we go through difficult times?
When we understand that God is in control, we can trust that He is working our circumstances together for good. We can rest assured that God sees the completed picture even if we don't.
Fact #2: God doesn't cause all things to happen, but causes all things to work together.
Read James 1:13. How does this prove God does not cause all things to happen?
God doesn't cause temptation to occur. He also doesn't cause the evil things that happen to us.
Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. Discuss how God doesn't "cause" temptation but is still in control when we are being tempted.
Although God does not tempt anyone, He allows temptation to take place. He will not allow us to be tempted beyond the breaking point. God has to be in control of our circumstances for Him to be able to make a way escape.
Fact #3: Not all things are good, but God works all things together for good.
Why do you think some people have no problem believing Satan can turn good to evil, but have a difficult time believing God can turn evil to good?
They view Satan as more powerful than God. They don't understand God has the power to turn tragedy into triumph.
How did God demonstrate His power to work all things together for good in Joseph's life?
When Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery, God used the Midianite traders as a taxi to transport him to Egypt, where he became second in command. He saved an entire nation during a time of famine.
How did God demonstrate His power to work all things together for good in Esther's life?
He promoted her from slave girl to queen in order to save the entire Jewish nation.
Using the illustration of the cake, how does God work all things together for good?
The ingredients of a cake aren't good if they are eaten separately, but if they are blended together they will become a delicious cake. God takes the ingredients of our lives and blends the blessings and tragedies together to make them work together for good.
Fact #4: God doesn't do this for everyone, but for those who love him.
Using the illustration of the army general and soldiers, explain how God can choose us and still give us a free will.
When the general asked for volunteers, he gave them a free will to volunteer for the mission. He then chose everyone who volunteered. God will also choose everyone who wants to love Him.
How does God's foreknowledge and predestination play a part in working all things together for good to those who love Him?
God in His foreknowledge knows who will choose to love Him. He also knows our mistakes before we make them and through His predestination intervenes to turn our mistakes around.
Fact #5: God's purpose is not to just make us happy, but to make us like Jesus.
Romans 8:28 says we are "called according to His purpose." What is His purpose?
He wants to make us like Jesus so that people can see Christ in us.
Why is God more interested in our character or our comfort? (Rom. 8:29)
He predestines us to become "conformed to the image of His Son." He uses our trials and difficulties to chisel off our rough places so that we will look more like Him. We don't grow spiritually as long as we stay inside our comfort zones.