Does God care when we suffer?

Does God Care When We Suffer?

What did we talk about last week?

Big Idea

God doesn’t ignore our pain—He enters it. Through Jesus, we learn that God not only cares when we suffer, but He suffers with us and redeems our pain for good.

Key Scriptures: Bible drill?

John 11:32–35 – Jesus wept.

Romans 8:18–28 – God works all things together for good.

Isaiah 53:3–5 – The suffering servant bears our griefs.

Revelation 21:4 – God will wipe away every tear.

Psalm 34:18 – The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.

LESSON OUTLINE

1. Opening Activity – “When Life Hurts” (5–10 min)

Ask students:

What’s something frustrating or disappointing that happened this week?

What’s one “hard thing” you’ve seen in your life or the world that makes you wonder why?

After a few share, say:

“Rebecca McLaughlin says Christianity doesn’t ignore suffering—it looks it in the face. The Bible doesn’t hide tears, pain, or loss. But it also gives us hope in the middle of it.”

2. God Weeps With Us (John 11:32–35)

Main Point: Jesus cares deeply about our pain.

Read: John 11:32–35 “Now when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled. And he said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to him, “Lord, come and see.” Jesus wept.”

“When Jesus saw her weeping... He was deeply moved... Jesus wept.”

Teaching Thought: At Lazarus’s tomb, Jesus knew He would raise His friend from the dead, but He still cried. That means Jesus is not emotionally distant—He enters our grief.

Illustration – “The Weeping King” The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe when Aslan dies on the Stone Table.

Aslan could have stopped it—but He didn’t. His love led Him to suffer for others.

Scriptural Questions:

What do Jesus’ tears tell us about His heart?

How does this story show both Jesus’ power and His compassion?

Application Questions:

Have you ever felt like God didn’t care about your pain? What might this passage say to that?

How could Jesus’ empathy comfort someone who’s grieving today?

3. God Uses Our Pain for Good (Romans 8:18–28)

Main Point: God doesn’t waste suffering—He transforms it.

Read: Romans 8:18, Romans 8:26–28 “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

“We know that for those who love God all things work together for good.”

Teaching Thought Rebecca writes that Christianity doesn’t offer an escape from suffering but a meaning in it. Even pain becomes part of God’s redemption story.

Movie Illustration – Inside Out When Joy finally realizes Sadness has a purpose — sometimes our tears bring connection and healing.

Just like Joy learned, God can use sadness to bring deeper joy.

Scriptural Questions:

What do verses 26–27 say about the Holy Spirit’s role when we suffer? The Holy Spirit comforts us by pouring God's love into our hearts, helping us maintain a joyful attitude even amid suffering and providing a supernatural calm in difficult circumstances.

How does verse 28 challenge our definition of “good”? reframing it as ultimate spiritual transformation rather than immediate comfort, happiness, or worldly success

Application Questions:

Can you think of a time something painful in your life eventually led to growth or helped someone else?

How can you remind yourself of God’s goodness when you don’t feel it?

4. God Suffers to End Suffering (Isaiah 53:3–5; Revelation 21:4)

Main Point: Jesus didn’t just feel our pain—He carried it. And one day, He’ll remove it forever.

Read: Isaiah 53:3–5 “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.””

“He was despised and rejected… Surely He has borne our griefs.” “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Teaching Thought: Rebecca writes that the Christian God is the only God with scars. The cross proves God isn’t distant—He suffered the ultimate pain to end suffering forever.

Illustration – “The Scarred God” After His resurrection, Jesus still had His scars. Our pain leaves marks, but God redeems them into something beautiful.

Movie Illustration – The Chronicles of Narnia: The Last Battle As Aslan’s country opens, the characters’ suffering fades away. It’s not a dream—it’s a deeper reality.

“The end of the story is not sadness, but joy restored.”

Scriptural Questions:

What do Jesus’ wounds accomplish for us? The shedding of his blood was the ultimate and sufficient sacrifice to atone for all sins—past, present, and future Look at I. 53:3

How does Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”” give you hope about the future?

Application Questions:

How can knowing the ending (God’s victory) give you courage in the middle of pain?

What does it mean to trust a God who has suffered for you?

5. Reflection & Group Prayer (10 min) leaders also do this

Give each student a small piece of paper. Invite them to write one word or short phrase that describes something painful they or someone they love is going through (no names needed).

Place all papers in a basket Pray aloud:

“Lord, thank You that You see every tear. Thank You that You entered our pain through Jesus. Help us to trust You when life hurts, and help us comfort others with the comfort You give us.”

Optional Song: play on your phone (try not to rush lol) “Though You Slay Me” (Shane & Shane) or “Scars in Heaven” (Casting Crowns)

Key Quotes from Rebecca McLaughlin

“Jesus doesn’t offer us a way out of suffering. He offers us Himself — the One who has suffered for us.” “Because of Jesus, suffering will not have the last word.”

“It is doubtful Whether God can bless a man greatly until he has hurt him deeply” - AW Tozer.

Takeaway Truth

God cares when we suffer. He weeps with us, works through our pain, and one day will wipe away every tear.