Parent Discipleship Guide 19 April 2026
PARENT DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE 19 April 2026
God and Suffering
Week 1: Why Does Suffering Exist?
PARENT DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE
God and Suffering
Week 1 – Why does suffering exist?
Pastor Ryan Perry
Good Hope Baptist Church
19 April 2026
The BIG Idea (repeat every day) Suffering exists because sin brought brokenness into God’s good world, but God is still in control and bringing restoration.
DAY 1 — God Made the World Good
Scripture: Genesis 1:31
Parent Says: When God finished creating the world, He said it was very good. God made a world full of life, beauty, and order. Suffering was not part of God’s first design.
Ask: What did God say about His creation? What are some good things God made?
Truth: God made the world good.
Prayer: God, thank You for making a good and beautiful world.
DAY 2 — People Were Made to Be Close to God
Scripture: Genesis 2:15
Parent Says: God placed Adam in the garden to live with Him and care for what He made. People were created to know God and walk with Him. We are made for God’s presence, too.
Ask: Where did God place Adam? Why do we need to stay close to God?
Truth: We were made to live near God.
Prayer: Lord, help our family stay close to You.
DAY 3 — Sin Brought Pain
Scripture: Genesis 3:17–19
Parent Says: Adam and Eve chose to disobey God. Because of sin, pain, struggle, and death entered the world. Sin means choosing our own way instead of God’s way.
Ask: What happens when people disobey God? Why is sin serious?
Truth: Sin brought brokenness into the world.
Prayer: God, forgive our sins and teach us to obey You.
DAY 4 — Brokenness Spreads
Scripture: Genesis 4:8
Parent Says: After sin entered the world, Cain hurt his brother Abel. Sin did not stay small; it spread into families and communities. That is why the world needs God’s help.
Ask: What did Cain do wrong? How can sin hurt others?
Truth: Sin spreads hurt and pain.
Prayer: God, help us choose love instead of sin.
DAY 5 — The World Is Not Working Right
Scripture: Romans 8:22
Parent Says: The Bible says creation is groaning. That means the world is broken and waiting for God to make it new. We feel sadness, sickness, and loss because the world is not as it should be.
Ask: Why does the world feel broken sometimes? What things do you want God to make new?
Truth: The world needs God’s restoration.
Prayer: Lord, bring healing and make all things new.
DAY 6 — God Is Still in Control
Scripture: Psalm 115:3
Parent Says: Even when life is hard, God has not lost control. He still rules over heaven and earth. Nothing surprises God, and nothing is too hard for Him.
Ask: Is God still in control when life is hard? Why does that give us hope?
Truth: God is still ruling over all things.
Prayer: God, help us trust You in hard times.
DAY 7 — God Will Make Things Right
Scripture: Genesis 50:20
Parent Says: Joseph’s brothers meant harm, but God used it for good. God can bring good even from painful things. One day, He will fully remove suffering forever.
Ask: How did God bring good from Joseph’s story? What hard thing can we trust God with today?
Truth: God is working all things toward His good plan.
Prayer: Father, help us trust that You are working even now.
© 2026 Dr. G. Ryan Perry, PhD | Good Hope Baptist Church (GHBC) | Cross+Walk Ministries. All rights reserved. Permission granted for personal use, family discipleship, and local church ministry use. Not for resale or unauthorized commercial reproduction.
God and Suffering
Week 1 – Why does suffering exist?
Pastor Ryan Perry
Good Hope Baptist Church
19 April 2026
The BIG Idea (repeat every day) Suffering exists because sin brought brokenness into God’s good world, but God is still in control and bringing restoration.
DAY 1 — God Made the World Good
Scripture: Genesis 1:31
Parent Says: When God finished creating the world, He said it was very good. God made a world full of life, beauty, and order. Suffering was not part of God’s first design.
Ask: What did God say about His creation? What are some good things God made?
Truth: God made the world good.
Prayer: God, thank You for making a good and beautiful world.
DAY 2 — People Were Made to Be Close to God
Scripture: Genesis 2:15
Parent Says: God placed Adam in the garden to live with Him and care for what He made. People were created to know God and walk with Him. We are made for God’s presence, too.
Ask: Where did God place Adam? Why do we need to stay close to God?
Truth: We were made to live near God.
Prayer: Lord, help our family stay close to You.
DAY 3 — Sin Brought Pain
Scripture: Genesis 3:17–19
Parent Says: Adam and Eve chose to disobey God. Because of sin, pain, struggle, and death entered the world. Sin means choosing our own way instead of God’s way.
Ask: What happens when people disobey God? Why is sin serious?
Truth: Sin brought brokenness into the world.
Prayer: God, forgive our sins and teach us to obey You.
DAY 4 — Brokenness Spreads
Scripture: Genesis 4:8
Parent Says: After sin entered the world, Cain hurt his brother Abel. Sin did not stay small; it spread into families and communities. That is why the world needs God’s help.
Ask: What did Cain do wrong? How can sin hurt others?
Truth: Sin spreads hurt and pain.
Prayer: God, help us choose love instead of sin.
DAY 5 — The World Is Not Working Right
Scripture: Romans 8:22
Parent Says: The Bible says creation is groaning. That means the world is broken and waiting for God to make it new. We feel sadness, sickness, and loss because the world is not as it should be.
Ask: Why does the world feel broken sometimes? What things do you want God to make new?
Truth: The world needs God’s restoration.
Prayer: Lord, bring healing and make all things new.
DAY 6 — God Is Still in Control
Scripture: Psalm 115:3
Parent Says: Even when life is hard, God has not lost control. He still rules over heaven and earth. Nothing surprises God, and nothing is too hard for Him.
Ask: Is God still in control when life is hard? Why does that give us hope?
Truth: God is still ruling over all things.
Prayer: God, help us trust You in hard times.
DAY 7 — God Will Make Things Right
Scripture: Genesis 50:20
Parent Says: Joseph’s brothers meant harm, but God used it for good. God can bring good even from painful things. One day, He will fully remove suffering forever.
Ask: How did God bring good from Joseph’s story? What hard thing can we trust God with today?
Truth: God is working all things toward His good plan.
Prayer: Father, help us trust that You are working even now.
© 2026 Dr. G. Ryan Perry, PhD | Good Hope Baptist Church (GHBC) | Cross+Walk Ministries. All rights reserved. Permission granted for personal use, family discipleship, and local church ministry use. Not for resale or unauthorized commercial reproduction.
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