Roller Coaster | Week 1

Where Is God When You Hurt 

Key Scriptures 

Soon afterward Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed him. A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother. Great fear swept the crowd, and they praised God, saying, “A mighty prophet has risen among us,” and “God has visited his people today.”  Luke 7:11-16 NLT 

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.  

• What is your favorite Roller Coaster? 

• What one word would describe your current emotional state?  

• Do you think of yourself as an emotional person, or would you say you’re more logical? 

Start thinking. Ask a question to get your group thinking.  

• Have you ever gone through a time when you felt like God didn’t see you? What was that like? 

• Does knowing that Jesus dealt with so many emotions change your perception of Him? If so, how? 

• How can we remind ourselves that God is with us and loves us, even during tough times? 

Start sharing. Choose a question to create openness. 

• Share a time when you realized that God had been with you during a difficult time, even if you didn’t see it in the moment.  

• What cares and concerns can you cast on Jesus this week? 

• How can you reach across lines to love others this week?  

Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.  

Father, thank You for Your compassion. Thank You for Your love, which never wavers. Help us to trust that no matter what struggles we face in life, you see us and care for us. Help us to cast our cares and concerns on You and to share Your love with others. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week. 

• Set aside some time this week to talk to God about the struggles you’re facing right now.