Rejoice in Suffering?

Suffering is the shared language of humanity—never chosen, always felt. In this series, we look at Job, a man acquainted with its depths, to understand what pain reveals in our lives. Suffering is not random but should be viewed through the lens of God’s sovereignty. Difficulty is not an obstacle to be avoided, but rather an opportunity to better understand God’s character. Both joy and loss pass through God’s goodness—not to destroy us, but to strip away what is false, dismantle the old, and reveal who we truly are. Suffering, then, is not wasted; it renews the mind, strengthens the soul, and prepares us for what’s ahead. And when we see this clearly, we don’t just endure it—we rejoice in God through it.

Scripture References from the Sermon

Job 1:6-8   |   Job 1:9-12   |   1 Corinthians 2:8   |   Luke 12:15   |   Romans 5:1-3

Discussion Questions

• Based on Job 1:6–8, how would you describe God’s sovereignty? What do you know? What is new? What is hard to understand?
• How does the initial description of Job’s character and standing before God (as seen in Job 1:1, 1:8, and 2:3) establish a foundation for understanding the nature of his suffering?
• Read Job 1:9-12. Discuss the distinction between satan and God’s view of Job. How is this helpful in seeing your True identity? (Luke 12:15; Philippians 3:8)
• Do you see the difficult events in your life, even if they are at the hand of evil, as God’s process of maturity? (Romans 5:1-3; Romans 8:28-29)
• How will you choose to view suffering—as a victim justified to complain, or as God’s son/daughter rejoicing in His faithfulness?    
• What Truth did God show you today that would reinterpret your past?

Fill Your City

Prayer Requests From Our Community

• Pray for solutions to homelessness in our communities.
• Pray for spiritual awakening in churches throughout Rockingham resulting in community transformation.
• Pray for Faith Baptist Church and Pastor Chad Nall.

Serve Opportunities

• 23 May – Join Sleep In Heavenly Peace to build beds for children in our communities. Sign up at: https://volunteer.shpbeds.org/opportunities/Grace Church Carthage.
• 26 May – Blood drive at the Carthage Campus (11 a.m. to 4 p.m.) To register go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=GraceChurch.

Respond Throughout the Week

Pray – Throughout your week, dedicate time to listening to and speaking with the Lord.	Read – Feed your soul with God’s Word daily. Review the scriptures used in the sermon. There is a link to a Bible reading guide on our website.
Journal – Write a summary of what you’re hearing from God every day. Capture things you’re hearing from Him.	Communion – If Jesus is your savior, consider taking the elements, at home, with your family, or Group. There is a communion guide on our website.
Salvation – Want to give your life to Jesus? Tell someone in your family or your Group.	Worship – Take time to thank God for who He is. Before asking or seeking, just be grateful, and tell your soul that it’s time to bless the Lord.
Intercede – Who is someone in your city who needs prayer this week? Also consider inviting someone to pray for you.	Give – Giving is an expression of the heart, not just your budget, by trusting God with your finances. For ways to give, go to https://gracechurchsp.org/give/.

Event Highlight  |   gracechurchsp.org/events 

• 25 April is Freedom Weekend – a workshop applying Biblical principles and prayer to facilitate spiritual healing and personal freedom. Remember to register by April 22, 2026 if you plan on attending.
• May 7th is National Day of Pray. From 9:00AM-12:00PM there will be a time provided in the multipurpose room to independently seek the Lord before National Day of Prayer begins. At noon, we will gather and pray together!