If God Created All Things, Why Do We Have Bad Things in the World?
Don’t stop here; keep the conversation going on The Breakdown. Each week, we take this message further, talk through real-life applications, and wrestle with the questions you’re already asking. Just search “Journey Church with James Hilton” wherever you listen to podcasts or on YouTube.
- If you could ask God one question and get a straight answer, no filters, what would it be? Why that question?
- In the sermon, Pastor James said that we don’t filter our pictures because we’re vain — we do it because we’re scared the real version won’t be loved. Do you think that’s true? What are some ways people filter not just their photos, but their real feelings or doubts?
- Pastor James said the Bible might be the most unfiltered book ever written. He pointed to moments like the Psalms asking God “where are you?”, Jesus weeping at a grave, and Jesus crying out from the cross in Matthew 27:46. Does it surprise you that those kinds of raw, honest moments are in the Bible? Why or why not?
- Pastor James broke the whole story of the world down into three words: Good. Broken. Not Done. Which of those three words resonates most with you right now, and why?
- In the sermon, Pastor James pointed out that in Genesis 3, the enemy’s first move wasn’t getting Adam and Eve to do something wrong — it was getting them to wonder something wrong. He asked, “Did God really say?” Why do you think doubt about God’s goodness is such a powerful and dangerous starting point?
- Be honest, have you ever asked the question “why?” We all experience hurt and pain because although God made the world good, we invited brokenness in. Share a time when you asked “why” and how you can now see God was still working.
- Read 2 Peter 3:9. Pastor James made a challenging point: we want God to stop evil, as long as He starts with somebody else. What does it mean that God’s patience with evil is actually an act of mercy toward us?
- In John 11, Jesus already knew He was about to raise Lazarus from the dead. He knew exactly how the story ended. And yet John 11:35 says, “Jesus wept.” What does it tell you about God’s character that He cried at a grave He was about to empty?
- Revelation 21:4-5 describes a day when God says, “I am making everything new.” Pastor James pointed out He doesn’t say He’s making new things — He says He’s making everything new. What’s the difference, and why does that matter?
- Read Philippians 1:6. Pastor James said, “He began it. He carries it. He finishes it. That’s not on you.” How does it feel to hear that your story isn’t on you to fix or finish?
Prayer
God, I hate the evil and brokenness in this world. It makes me hurt to see the world hurting and I’ve experienced hurt in my own life, too. Would you help me see your goodness in the middle? Help me have eyes to see that if it’s still broken, you’re not done yet. And give me wisdom in who I can talk to about the messy things and the sin even in my own life that adds to the chaos. I trust that you’re the God who will make all things new. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
