Key Thought: The Psalms are uttered in an imperfect world; one of sin, evil, suffering, and death. The Psalmists are at times perplexed by the apparent absence of God.
February 3, 2024

1. Have a volunteer read Psalm 41:1-4, Psalm 88:3-12.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What experiences do these texts describe? What can you relate to in what is said?
3. Personal Application: Does focusing on the suffering Jesus endured on the cross help us keep faith amid times of suffering and trial?” Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states, “What tensions have you faced in evil and how have you dealt with them? How do you maintain your faith in the face of evil?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Psalm 42:1-3, 63:1, 68:1-3, 102:1-7.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What causes great pain to the Psalmist?
3. Personal Application: How do you respond to times when God does seem silent? What sustains you in times of trouble? Share your thoughts
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “What answers can we find when our faith in God is tested by trials or by people whose sufferings cause them to question the goodness of God?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Psalm 77.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What experience is the author going through?
3. Personal Application: Has the Lord worked in your life in the past? How can that truth help you deal with present trials? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states: “How come there is so much evil in this world if it is created and sustained by an all-powerful God of love?” How would you respond to your relative?

4. Have a volunteer read Psalm 37:1,8; 49:5-7; 94:3-7.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What struggles does the Psalmist face?
3. Personal Application: Does the knowledge of God’s judgment upon the world and all its evil give you comfort when so much evil now goes unpunished? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).