MEMBER HUB
give
image

Now & Then: How Do I Trust God When Life Doesn’t Make Sense?

Learning to live between what God has begun and what He will complete

Now / Then: Living Between Resurrection and Restoration

Following Jesus isn’t about escaping this world—it’s about learning how to live faithfully in it.
In this series, we explore what it means to live between what God has already begun through the resurrection of Jesus and what He has not yet fully completed. Scripture shows us that the Kingdom of God is not only something we wait for—it is something we participate in now.
This series is designed for:
• personal spiritual growth• small groups• those wrestling with real-life questions about faith• anyone seeking to live with purpose in the present, not just hope for the future
Each session helps you understand how to live with faith, clarity, and purpose in the tension of “now” and “then.”
For the related sermon series, click here.

What This Study Covers

The resurrection of Jesus didn’t just promise a future—it changed the present.
In this study, we follow a six-part journey that explores how the Kingdom of God is already at work in our lives, even when the world still feels unfinished:
The Future Started Early — Understanding how resurrection brings the future into the presentNew Creation Begins in Us — Discovering how God’s work begins within us before it transforms the world around usSigns of the Kingdom — Learning how to recognize God’s work in both healing and sufferingLiving the Justice of the Kingdom — Participating in God’s work of mercy, justice, and restorationThe Work Jesus Began — Understanding our role in continuing the mission of ChristThe Day Everything Is Made New — Holding hope in the promise of full restoration
Each session builds on the last, helping you move from confusion to clarity, and from passive belief to active participation in God’s Kingdom.

How to Use This Study

While suitable for independent study, each session is designed to ideally be completed during the week through guided Scripture and reflection.
In a group setting, participants gather to discuss insights, ask questions, and apply what they are learning in everyday life.
Each session includes:
• a student study guide• a discussion guide for groups• Scripture readings• reflection questions• a focused application for real life
This format allows the study to move beyond information into transformation.

Part of Our Foundations of Faith Discipleship Pathway

Who Is Jesus? (Gospel of John)

What Does Living for Jesus Look Like? (Sermon on the Mount)

How Do I Pray? (The Lord’s Prayer)

1. THE FUTURE STARTED EARLY

If Jesus rose from the dead… why does life still feel the same?

The resurrection of Jesus didn’t just prove something—it started something. In this session, we explore what it means for Christ to be the “firstfruits” and how the future has already broken into the present, even while we still live in a world that feels incomplete.
open the study guide pdf
open the facilitator discussion guide pdf
open the student DISCUSSION guide pdf
2. NEW CREATION BEGINS IN US

Where does God begin His work of making all things new?

Before God restores the world around us, He begins within us. This session explores what it means to be a new creation in Christ and how transformation starts internally before it becomes visible externally.
open the study guide pdf
open the facilitator discussion guide pdf
open the student DISCUSSION guide pdf
3. SIGNS OF THE KINGDOM

If God is at work, why do we still experience suffering?

In John 11, Jesus both weeps and raises the dead. This session helps us understand how God’s Kingdom is revealed through both healing and presence—and how to trust Him when outcomes are not what we expect.
open the study guide pdf
open the facilitator discussion guide pdf
open the student DISCUSSION guide pdf

4. LIVING THE JUSTICE OF THE KINGDOM

What does it look like to live out God’s Kingdom here and now?

God’s Kingdom is not only something we believe—it is something we embody. This session explores how mercy, justice, and humility become visible through the lives of God’s people in a broken world.
open the study guide pdf
open the facilitator discussion guide pdf
open the student DISCUSSION guide pdf

5. THE WORK JESUS BEGAN

What is our role in what God is doing?

Jesus’ ministry did not end—it continues through His people. This session explores Acts 1:1 and what it means to actively participate in God’s ongoing work in the world.
open the study guide pdf
open the facilitator discussion guide pdf
open the student DISCUSSION guide pdf

6. THE DAY EVERYTHING IS MADE NEW

How do we live now in light of what is coming?

The story is not finished yet—but we know how it ends. This session points to the promise of full restoration and helps us live with hope, faith, and purpose while we wait.
open the study guide pdf
open the facilitator discussion guide pdf
open the student DISCUSSION guide pdf

Where Do You Want to Go From Here?

Every step of faith beginsWhether you’re exploring faith for the first time, returning after time away, or looking to grow deeper in your walk with Christ, we would love to walk alongside you.with a simple response. Whether you're seeking hope, looking for a church home, or asking for prayer, we would love to connect with you and walk alongside you.
hope starts here
plan your visit
request prayer

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS THE “NOW / THEN” BIBLE STUDY ABOUT?
“Now / Then” is a Scripture-centered discipleship study that explores how to live between what God has already begun through Jesus and what He has not yet fully completed. It focuses on real-life faith—helping you trust God, grow spiritually, and live with purpose in the middle of life’s challenges.
WHY DOES LIFE STILL FEEL BROKEN IF JESUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD?
The resurrection of Jesus began God’s work of restoring all things—but that work is not yet complete. The Bible teaches that we are living in the tension between what has already started and what will one day be finished. This study helps you understand that tension and live faithfully within it.

HOW DO I TRUST GOD WHEN LIFE DOESN’T MAKE SENSE?

Trusting God doesn’t mean having all the answers—it means learning to rely on His character, even when circumstances are unclear. This study helps you grow in faith by showing how God is still at work, even in seasons of uncertainty, waiting, or difficulty.
DOES GOD STILL HEAL AND WORK MIRACLES TODAY?
Yes—God still heals and works in powerful ways today. At the same time, not every prayer is answered in the way we expect. This study explores how to hold both truths together: trusting God’s power while also trusting His presence when healing or change does not come immediately.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO LIVE OUT GOD’S KINGDOM TODAY?
Living out God’s Kingdom means participating in His work here and now—showing mercy, seeking justice, loving others, and living with humility. This study helps you move from simply believing in God’s Kingdom to actively living it out in everyday life.

IS THIS STUDY SUITABLE FOR BEGINNERS OR NEW BELIEVERS?

This study is accessible for beginners but is most impactful when built on a basic understanding of Jesus and the Christian life. It is recommended that participants first complete foundational studies such as “Who Is Jesus?”, “Sermon on the Mount,” and “How Do I Pray?” to get the most out of it.