Affliction and Comfort

Dennis McCallum

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

God is the God of all comfort. He comforts those who suffer. There are many different types of suffering and people who believe in Christ will suffer for their beliefs. Through this suffering, God can transform his followers into people who are more Christlike. God also uses a believer's sufferings to help others.

The Crucifixion of Jesus

Ryan Lowery

Psalms 22

The cross of Christ demonstrates God's unconditional commitment to our ultimate good. We also see that we are loved, valued, broken, and we have a choice to make.

The Waiting is the Hardest Part

Liz Sweet

Psalms 130:5

Waiting is an inevitable and frustrating part of life, and the Christian life is not exempt. Though we often short circuit what God wants to do through our waiting, waiting is necessary. This is in part because God is sovereign and knows what is best far beyond our own perceptions. This means that He also has His own timing. We often yearn for growth and change but they take time, as does forming a deeper relationship with our Creator. As we examine reasons why we are called to wait, and who the God is that calls us to wait, we can arrive at a confident hope in our Lord.

Suffering - Pastoral Care or Apologetics?

Pat Reeder

1 Peter 3:15

Unfortunately some of us have been perpetrators or victims of apologetics used during sensitive and difficult times that are cringe-worthy. How do we balance providing truth and biblical answers in times of suffering with being a caring and sensitive friend? This workshop helps practically break down scenarios and address appropriate responses to others' suffering based on timing and relationship, amongst other factors. As we learn some practical steps in both pastoral cases and apologetical cases, we become better equipped to provide thoughtful responses to others around us.

What was Meant for Evil, God Uses for Good

Joke Van Opstal

Revelation 21:3-4

Being a Christian does not exempt anyone from suffering. No matter how many good things we may do for God, we will still experience suffering, because suffering is not the result of God's punishment on us. Suffering is a tool for our sanctification, to help us grow and develop stronger character. As we grow to know our God, we see that his picture is much bigger than ours, and he is weaving a story through our suffering to bring about good, though we may not see it in the midst of our trials. We have a choice to make in how we respond when faced with suffering: we can give up in bitterness or hold fast to the Lord's promises and His eternal hope.

When God Doesn't Seem There

Lee Campbell

Isaiah 30:18

We will all experience times when God does not seem present, but several key principles can help us to endure these valleys faithfully. We should expect what is biblical rather than our own desires for God to present himself in vibrant, spiritual experiences. We must exercise trust in God's sovereign goodness and evaluate our own heart attitude and flawed perceptions. Our final step is to wait on the Lord, for which this workshop provides several practical applications.

Joy & God's Sovereignty

Jim Leffel

Acts 17:26-27

Like Paul, sometimes our situations seem to distract us from joy. However, we see that when we understand God's sovereignty and ability to work purposefully, even through superficially negate situations, we gain a new perspective and can experience joy throughout the worst of circumstances.

Stephen's Defense

Ben Foust

Acts 6:8-7:60

Just before his stoning by the religious leaders, Stephen answers their charges in an eloquent speech, showing through the scriptures two themes from Israel's history that continue to the present day: that holy ground is wherever God is, and that God's representative is often rejected by His people. We are challenged to examine our own heart before God and not be hardened.

Are We Overprotective?

Paul Alexander

Rebecca Alexander

1 Samuel 1

As much as we hate suffering, it is fair to say as parents, we hate even more to see our children suffer. Paul and Becky Alexander share how they as parents have learned to avoid the mistake of following the cultural mandate to protect your children from any and all suffering. They cite studies that demonstrate that allowing your children to experience normal, reasonable levels of suffering actually prepares them to deal with the inevitable suffering, that will come their way, in a positive, healthy way.