Discussion Question 1: School Shootings

Some of the students in your group are shaken by the news of the most recent school shooting. They are losing sleep over the idea that something similar could happen on their campus. What are some theological truths and/or Bible passages from this month’s reading that address this situation

(Make sure you incorporate the reading from Bird in your response.)

One thing that I may say to them is that no matter what happens Jesus has victory over death (1 Cor 15:55-57). The Lord is in control, and we cannot know when it is our time to be with Him but, that's exactly what life after death is, to be with God! While there are different theories about what happens the moment after we die, we can know with confidence that we will be with Jesus. Nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). And no matter what happens here on Earth, better is one day in the Lords courts than a thousand elsewhere. When it is our time, we will finally be home.

Death is devastating and was not God’s original intention for his creation! “In the Christian story, humanity was created to dwell with God in paradise and was made for immortality... to know God and enjoy him forever,” (Bird, 363). However! Jesus reminds us in Matthew 10:28, “Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather be afraid of the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell”. We can remember the promise of the gospel, the good news of God’s victory over death!