A child is killed by an active shooter. A young person is assaulted. Someone you love is diagnosed with cancer. Why does God allow suffering like that? Especially for good people? And why then does it seem like good things happen to bad people all the time?  Where’s the fairness in that?! This week, we’re going to tackle the question: Why do bad things happen to good people?

In a world where there is so much at our fingertips, there is still so much we don't know. Often, we’re seeking answers when we don’t even fully understand the question. How do we know what is true and what isn't? Who sets the standard for truth?

Before Israel was a nation, he was one man. And his name wasn’t even Israel – it was Jacob. Throughout his life, Jacob was always playing the role of the liar and the deceiver, tricking even his own family to get what he wanted. But one night, Jacob wrestled with God. And because of that one night, Jacob was changed forever – and we can be, too.

The story of Joseph and his brothers has it all: family drama, pride, envy, betrayal, and revenge. Powerful emotions for sure – and undoubtedly emotions that each one of us has encountered, too. Yet through it all, Joseph never lost his hope in God and God never turned His back on Joseph. But in the end, what takes Joseph from basic to amazing is the forgiveness that came out of it all.

Abraham, an ordinary guy, had been promised by God to be the father of a nation. Yet Abraham had only one son, another ordinary guy named Isaac. And then one day, God asked for Isaac back. It’s the story of two ordinary people with extraordinary faith in an extraordinary God.

Imagine this – you’re a 14-year-old daughter of a slave. And you uncover a genocidal plot to kill you, your whole family, and wipe out your entire nation. Well, that’s exactly the position in which young Esther found herself. But Esther was not alone. And not only was God with her, but He had uniquely positioned and equipped her for such a time as this.

David. An ordinary shepherd. Yet, by the power of God he would go on to defeat a giant, rule a nation, and compose a songbook that people still read today. Even so, just like each one of us, David was not without his faults, shortcomings, and failures. Despite all that, God still had a big purpose for David.

Centuries before Jesus was born, a poor, ordinary foreigner was traveling through Israel. She and her mother-in-law were picking up scraps of the harvest off of the ground just to keep from starving. Nothing about Ruth was extraordinary – except for the way she lived in obedience to God. And because of that, God used her to bless all creation.

A young man, captive in a foreign nation, specifically chosen to undergo extensive training to be qualified to serve the king in his palace. Daniel found himself in an esteemed position – but was still basically a glorified slave. Then his guard ordered him to disobey God. And Daniel had to make a choice between ordinary and extraordinary.