Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 7
Gina described studying Scripture by writing down “every verse that said something about God’s character” when stress made normal Bible reading hard; what does that reveal about how God wants to steady His people, and what would it look like for your group to rebuild faith around God’s self-revelation rather than explanations for suffering?
Another way to ask: Gina focused on verses about God’s character when stress made normal Bible reading hard; what does that show about how God strengthens us? What would it look like for our group to focus on who God is instead of trying to explain suffering?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Gina’s method suggests God steadies suffering believers by re-centering them on who He is, not by giving quick explanations for why pain happened. For a group, rebuilding faith could mean intentionally gathering God’s own words about His character and letting that foundation carry unanswered questions.
- Gina admits stress made it “hard to even read your Bible or concentrate,” so she changed her approach.
- She “took a notebook and started reading slowly through the New Testament,” writing down “every verse that said something about God’s character.”
- Her stated need: “I knew I needed that foundation of knowing what does God say about himself.”
- She sought models of faithful suffering: Job, Joseph, John the Baptist, Hebrews 11, and “Anabaptist martyrs.”
- She concludes she still has “many unanswered questions” and believes “God allows many things to remain mysteries.”
- She returns to Christ as the anchor: “in him… we have hope… salvation… life after this one… victory during this life.”