God, Why? “Why would a loving God send people to hell?” – Week 4

Speaker: Daniel Erasmus

Worship and check-in: Listen to “Goodness of God by Bethel” during group worship and your personal devotional time. Pray back to God a prayer of thankfulness for His faithfulness and goodness in your life.

Bible Readings: Matthew 5:29; Revelation 20:10; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9; Luke 16:19-24, 27-28; Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8-9; 1 Corinthians 5:21; Isaiah 53:6; 2 Peter 3:9; Matthew 7:13.

Preparation and Discussion for Group Time:
Ps Daniel shared about the reality of hell and that Jesus spent more time warning people about the dangers of hell than He did in comforting them with the hope of heaven. The concept of a real, conscious, forever-and-ever existence in hell is just as biblical as a real, conscious, forever-and-ever existence in heaven. Trying to separate them is simply not possible from a biblical standpoint. The Bible gives very few details about hell but does tell us that it was originally intended for demonic
spiritual beings, not people.

1. How could a loving God send people to hell? That’s a question we all wrestle with to some extent. Share with each other how it makes you feel that there’s a possibility that anyone could spend eternity in hell. Another question we should ask is: how could a holy God allow me into His heaven? That’s the question that points us to the grace of God on the cross of Christ. Discuss this with each other too.
2. Read Luke 16:19-24, 27-28 about the Rich man and Lazarus. Here we see two men, one who is dying from need and the other dying because we all die at some point. The Rich man could have changed Lazarus’ circumstances but chose not to. The Rich man knew fully what was going on when he ended up in hell and Lazarus didn’t. Having read this passage of scripture and the rich man’s plea for his family. Is there someone whom you need to pray for more? Is there a different choice you need to make in your life to consider others more? Share with the group what God is saying to you from this passage.
3. Share with the group your view of God and eternity now, compared to when you first made a commitment to Jesus. Perhaps since you experienced a situation or circumstance where your view of God was distorted or changed. Read these verses of Scripture Romans 3:23; Romans 5:8-9; Isaiah 53:6 and 2 Peter 3:9 as you consider eternity.

Check out and Prayer:
Read Matthew 7:13 and consider how you will live daily with eternity in mind and what choices you need to make to live differently according to God’s standards.
Share with the group if you haven’t yet, who is on your prayer cards that you are praying that they will come to know Jesus as their Saviour.

Love God:
Meditate on Matthew 7:13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.”

For personal study check out the following devotions on YouVersion:

• Going through hell for heaven by True North
• Freedom from sin by YouVersion
• Heaven or hell, whose your one.

Love People:
For upcoming next steps in your discipleship journey; like Baptism or serving. Sign up online at Church Center/ the website.

Invite a mom to our Mother’s Day service on the 14 May where we’ll have a special guest speaker Candice Chicken from Thrive Church in Boksburg. Download an invite or pick one up at church.