Growing up, we listened to and sang a lot of music. My family especially loved old country and western music, but there was a song that I loved titled “Help,” which was performed by The Beatles. Some of the lyrics are as follows: “I need somebody (Help) not just anybody (Help) you know I need someone (Help).” It is really comforting to me that God speaks to this in Scripture. The Apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:18-22, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” 

1. Why does God allow suffering for His children? 

2. Do you think it is strange that God’s children are treated the same as the rest of the world? 

Paul is conveying, and even speaking convincingly, that our sufferings now will have no comparison to the glory that is coming. There is glory that we will be experiencing. This is a different perspective than we are familiar with in our culture. We are very much a “right now” culture. We are not interested in delaying what we want, even if it might be better to delay. This attitude can give us many pitfalls.  

3. Does the comparison of the eternal perspective to the present sufferings that Paul writes of resonate with you? Why or why not? 

4. Do you believe that some of our spiritual growth can depend on suffering? Do you believe there is a better way than suffering? Was there a better way for Christ to give us eternal life than through His suffering? 

It may be interesting to you that the entire creation is in the same situation. Creation itself is suffering and waiting to be set free from the bondage of corruption. You could say that creation needs help! 

5. So, if something bad is happening in your life, does it mean that God has stopped caring about you as His child? Why or why not? 

6. Do you find it interesting that Scripture uses an analogy of childbirth? Childbirth pain usually leads to what?  

Further, we read in Romans 8:23-25, “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” This is very interesting. Scripture goes on to tell us that not only does creation need help, but we need help, too. Sin entered the world, and God pronounced a curse as a consequence of man’s choice of sin. From that sin, it requires suffering or the curse for both creation and mankind. I guess you could say, “We need someone.” However, one day, we will see the redemption of our bodies. Scripture says this is a hope in the things we have not seen yet. It continues to confront us with the eternal perspective. Then there will be glory and redeemed bodies, but for now, we wait to see the eternal perspective on this suffering. 

7. How good are you at waiting and hoping for these things that we cannot currently see? Explain. 

8. We are so confronted with the things of this world that we can see. Do you struggle with placing your hope in the things of this world? How? 

God knows that we need help in this world. He knows that we do not need just anyone. God sent the Holy Spirit to be our help and comfort. In John 16:7-11, Christ reveals, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.” Lastly, Romans 8:26-27 reads, “Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” 

9. Who does this Scripture say will help us in our time of weakness? How does He do this? 

10. Even when circumstances of suffering are too overwhelming for us to pray, it revealed that the Spirit Himself will pray on our behalf. Have you ever thought about how God gave us the Spirit to help us? Do you know of other ways in which the Spirit helps us?