This small group discussion guide draws directly from the sermon “Showcase - 9AM Worship Service” so you can keep engaging with the message all week. Read, reflect, and share it with your small group or friends.

Small Group Discussion Guide

"The Other Side of Ministry"

Based on the Sermon by Pastor Fred Luter Jr. | Franklin Avenue Baptist Church

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." — Psalm 34:19

FOR THE FACILITATOR: BEFORE YOU BEGIN

A Note on This Sermon's Context: This message was delivered by Pastor Fred Luter Jr. as one of his final sermons before retiring after 40 years of pastoral ministry at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. His reflections carry the weight of four decades of real experience — the highs and the lows of faithful service. As you lead this discussion, honor the personal and pastoral depth behind these words. This isn't just a sermon about hard times — it's a testimony about staying faithful through them.

Estimated Total Time: 60–90 minutes

Materials Needed: Bibles or printed scripture handout, this guide, pens or paper for personal reflection

Preparation: Read through the entire guide before your meeting. Pray for each person in your group by name. Choose which questions fit your group best — you won't need to use all of them.

OVERVIEW

(For the facilitator — read or paraphrase this to open the discussion)

In this sermon, Pastor Luter preached honestly about what he called "the other side of ministry" — the trials, afflictions, and difficult seasons that every believer will eventually face. Drawing from Psalm 34:19, he reminded us that suffering is not a sign of God's absence or our failure. Instead, it's a reality that even the most righteous people experience. But the promise doesn't stop at the problem: God delivers His people out of all their afflictions. The message was a call to hold on, trust God's Word, and remember that our deliverance is already written in the script.

SECTION 1: ICEBREAKER

(5–10 minutes)

Choose one of the following questions to open your time together:

Option A (lighter, fun)

Think about a movie or TV character who always manages to escape impossible situations against all odds. Who comes to mind, and what makes them so compelling to watch?

Option B (more personal)

Think of a time in your life when something turned out far better than you expected — a situation where things looked bad but ended up okay. Without going into too much detail yet, what word would you use to describe how you felt when things turned around?

[Leader Tip]: The icebreaker is just about warming up the room and getting people talking — there are no wrong answers. If your group is quiet, share your own answer first. Keep this section light and brief so you have plenty of time for the deeper discussion ahead.

SECTION 2: SCRIPTURE READING

(5 minutes)

Primary Text — Psalm 34:1–3, 19

Ask a volunteer to read the passage aloud. Encourage the group to listen for what changes between the beginning of the psalm and verse 19.

"I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together." — Psalm 34:1–3

"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all." — Psalm 34:19

Context for Facilitators: Psalm 34 was written by David — a man described in Scripture as "a man after God's own heart." Yet even David, chosen and anointed by God, wrote about experiencing many afflictions. This psalm moves from praise to pain and back to promise, which is often exactly how our own faith journeys feel. The word "afflictions" in this passage refers to troubles, hardships, and distress — not punishment for sin, but the real difficulties that come with living in a broken world.

Additional Scriptures Referenced in the Sermon: (You may want to look these up during your discussion)

Job 1:1, 20–22 — Job's response to devastating loss
John 16:33 — Jesus promises trouble but also victory
Romans 8:28 — All things working together for good
Isaiah 40:31 — Waiting on the Lord for renewed strength
Philippians 4:6–7 — Peace that passes understanding

SECTION 3: DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

(30–45 minutes)

Work through as many of these questions as time allows. You don't need to cover every question — choose the ones that feel most relevant to your group. Questions are organized from easier to deeper.

THEME A: RECOGNIZING "THE OTHER SIDE"

(Observational — Starting the Conversation)

Question 1

What stood out to you most from Sunday's message? Was there a moment, a story, or a phrase that stuck with you — and why?

[Leader Tip]: This is a great opening question because everyone can answer it differently. It helps you gauge where people are emotionally and spiritually before going deeper. If someone mentions the James Bond illustration or the "it's in the script" moment, use that as a natural bridge into the next questions.

Question 2

Pastor Luter described "the other side of ministry" as the difficult, painful seasons of life that every believer will face. In your own words, how would you describe what "the other side" looks like? What are some examples he gave, and what would you add from your own experience?

Question 3

Look back at Psalm 34:1–3 and then verse 19. David goes from praise and boasting in the Lord to crying out about "many afflictions" — all within the same psalm. What does that shift tell us about the reality of the Christian life?

THEME B: THE PLIGHT AND THE PROBLEM

(Interpretive — Going Deeper)

Question 4

Pastor Luter said one of the hardest parts of this passage is that the words "afflictions" and "righteous" appear in the same verse. He put it this way: "Afflictions come our way not because of who you are, but because of whose you are." What do you think he meant by that? How does that idea challenge or comfort you?

[Leader Tip]: This is one of the most theologically rich moments in the sermon. Some people in your group may be quietly struggling with this very question — "I've been faithful, so why is this happening to me?" Create space for honest responses. There's no need to tie it up neatly. Acknowledge that this is hard, and that's okay.

Question 5

The pastor shared the story of Job — a man described as righteous and blameless, yet he lost his health, his wealth, and his family in a single day. Job's wife told him to "curse God and die." His friends told him he must have done something wrong. But Job responded, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him."

What does Job's response reveal about the kind of faith that survives "the other side"?

Have you ever had someone — even with good intentions — give you the wrong kind of comfort during a hard season? What did you actually need in that moment?

Question 6

Pastor Luter was honest that even after 40 years of faithful ministry, there were times he asked God, "Why? I'm not perfect, but I'm faithful — so why is this happening?" How do you personally navigate the tension between trusting God and honestly wrestling with Him in prayer?

[Leader Tip]: This question invites vulnerability. Model openness by sharing briefly from your own experience if the group is hesitant. Remind the group that honest wrestling with God is itself an act of faith — the Psalms are full of it. You might also reference Galatians 6:2 (from the Sunday scripture reading): "Share each other's burdens."

THEME C: THE PROMISE

(Application — Moving Toward Hope)

Question 7

The turning point of the sermon was the word "but" — "Many are the afflictions of the righteous, BUT the Lord delivers him out of them all." Pastor Luter called it a "sanctified conjunction." He listed many other "buts" from Scripture:

"Weeping may endure for a night, BUT joy comes in the morning." (Psalm 30:5)

"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, BUT of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)

"Be anxious for nothing, BUT in everything by prayer and supplication..." (Philippians 4:6)

Where do you most need a "but" from God right now — in your own life, your family, your work, or your community? What would it mean to believe that "but" is already written in the script?

Question 8

Pastor Luter used the James Bond illustration to make a powerful point: Bond always escaped impossible situations because it was written in the script that way. He then applied that to our lives — our deliverance, our perseverance, our future hope is already written in God's Word.

What scriptures have served as your "script" — promises you've held onto during difficult seasons?

How do we keep those promises alive and active in our minds when we're in the middle of the storm?

Question 9

The sermon opened with Galatians 6:1–3: "Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ." Pastor Luter also mentioned that he meets with the incoming pastor every Monday morning to share "the good, the bad, and the ugly" — to prepare him and walk alongside him.

What does it look like in practice to share burdens with one another in a small group like this one?

Is there something you've been carrying alone that you could invite this group to carry with you?

[Leader Tip]: This question can open the door to genuine pastoral care within your group. Don't rush it. If someone shares something heavy, resist the urge to immediately offer solutions. Simply acknowledge what they've shared, thank them for their trust, and invite the group to pray for them before the session ends. This is the Galatians 6 principle in action.

Question 10

Pastor Luter closed with these words: "Through it all, I've learned to trust in Jesus. I've learned to depend upon God's word." Forty years of ministry — with all its joys and difficulties — brought him to that place of deep trust.

What has your own journey of difficulty taught you about God that you couldn't have learned any other way?

What would you want someone just entering a hard season to know, based on what you've experienced?

SECTION 4: PERSONAL APPLICATION

(10–15 minutes)

Give everyone a few minutes of quiet to reflect individually before sharing. These questions are personal — no one should feel pressured to share unless they want to.

Reflection Questions:

1. Think honestly about your life right now. Are you currently experiencing "the other side" in any area — your health, your relationships, your work, your faith, your family? What does that look like for you?

2. Pastor Luter said, "None of us are exempt from tough times, but you don't have to handle those times by yourself." Who in your life knows what you're really going through right now? If the answer is "no one," what's one step you could take this week to let someone in?

3. Is there a promise from Scripture — a specific verse or passage — that God has used to anchor you in the past? If so, write it down. If not, consider asking someone in your group or your pastor to help you find one that speaks to your current season.

4. The sermon reminded us that affliction is "for a specific time, a specific season, a specific reason." Looking back at a past difficulty in your life, can you now see any purpose or growth that came from it? How does that perspective shape how you face current challenges?

5. What is one concrete thing you feel God may be calling you to do differently this week as a result of this message?

SECTION 5: THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

Choose one (or more) of the following to put the message into practice:

🔵 For Everyone: Find Psalm 34 and read the entire chapter this week. Pay attention to how David moves between praise, pain, and promise. Write down one verse that speaks directly to something you're facing right now, and keep it somewhere visible.

🟢 For Those in a Difficult Season: Take one step toward letting someone else carry part of your burden this week. That might mean calling a friend, asking your small group leader to pray with you, or simply being honest with God in prayer about exactly where you are.

🟡 For Those in a Season of Blessing: Look around. Who in your life — or in this group — might be on "the other side" right now? Reach out to them this week with a call, a text, a meal, or simply a listening ear. Practice Galatians 6:2.

🔴 For the Spiritually Curious or New to Faith: Pastor Luter said that accepting Jesus Christ brings a joy that no award or achievement can match. If you're still exploring what it means to follow Jesus, consider reaching out to a pastor, a trusted friend, or a church leader this week to ask your questions.

SECTION 6: PRAYER FOCUS

(5–10 minutes)

Close your time together in prayer. You can pray as a group, in pairs, or have one person pray on behalf of everyone. Here are suggested areas to bring before God:

Suggested Prayer Topics:

Thanksgiving — Thank God for His faithfulness, even through difficult seasons. Thank Him specifically for the "buts" He has placed in your life.
Honesty — Ask God for the courage to be honest with Him and with others about where you really are, rather than pretending everything is fine.
Those Who Are Struggling — Pray specifically for anyone in your group (or in your life) who is currently on "the other side." Call them by name if appropriate.
Trust — Ask God to strengthen your trust in His Word — that His promises are true, that His script is written, and that He will deliver.
Community — Pray that your small group would become a place where people don't have to carry burdens alone — where Galatians 6:2 is lived out in real and practical ways.

[Leader Tip]: If your group isn't comfortable praying aloud together yet, you can simply read these prayer topics aloud and invite a moment of silent prayer, or close with a brief prayer yourself. Meeting people where they are with prayer is itself an act of grace.

SECTION 7: OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE

For groups that want to go further — use these if time allows or as take-home questions

Deep Dive Question 1 — The Book of Job

Read Job 1:1, 8–12 and Job 19:25–27. Pastor Luter made the striking observation that God recommended Job — Satan didn't ask for him; God pointed him out. Job had no idea this conversation was even happening.

What does it suggest about God's confidence in Job that He would allow Job to be tested this way?

How does knowing that God sees you — and believes in your capacity to endure — change how you view your own trials?

Job's declaration, "I know that my Redeemer lives" (Job 19:25), came in the middle of his suffering — not after it. What does that tell us about where faith can be found?

Deep Dive Question 2 — Galatians 6:1–5 (The Sunday Scripture Reading)

Re-read the passage from the Sunday morning scripture reading:

"Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other's burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important. Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done. And you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else, for we are each responsible for our own conduct." — Galatians 6:1–5 (NLT)

This passage connects two ideas: helping others through their afflictions AND watching out for your own vulnerabilities. How do those two responsibilities work together in community?

Verse 3 is blunt: "If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself." Where might pride prevent us from either giving help or receiving it?

What would it look like for your small group to genuinely practice this passage — not just as a nice idea, but as a real commitment to one another?

Deep Dive Question 3 — "It's in the Script"

Pastor Luter's closing illustration was that James Bond always escaped impossible situations because it was written in the script that way — and then he applied that to our lives: our deliverance is written in God's Word.

Look up Romans 8:28–39 together. Make a list of everything in that passage that Paul says is "written in the script" for believers. What strikes you most about that list?

Paul asks, "What shall separate us from the love of God?" and then answers his own question. In your own life, what has felt like it might separate you from God — and how does this passage respond to that fear?

How do we move from knowing these promises intellectually to actually leaning on them when life falls apart?

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Related Scriptures for Further Study:

Psalm 34 (full chapter — read it in one sitting)
Romans 8:18–39 (suffering and hope)
2 Corinthians 4:7–18 (treasure in jars of clay)
James 1:2–4 (the purpose of trials)
Isaiah 40:28–31 (waiting on the Lord)
John 16:33 (Jesus' promise about tribulation and victory)

A FINAL WORD FOR FACILITATORS

You don't have to have all the answers to lead this discussion well. In fact, some of the most powerful moments in small group ministry happen when a leader says, "I don't know why God allows that — but I know He hasn't left us." That kind of honest faith gives others permission to be honest too.

Pastor Luter's message was built on 40 years of real experience — real pain, real questions, and real faithfulness. As you lead this discussion, you carry a similar kind of authority: your own story. Don't be afraid to share it.

The goal of this guide is not to produce perfect theological answers. It's to create space where people can bring their real lives — including the "other side" — and encounter the God who promises to deliver them out of it all.

That's not just in the sermon. It's in the script.

Discussion guide prepared for small group use at Franklin Avenue Baptist Church. Scripture quotations taken from the New Living Translation (NLT) and New King James Version (NKJV).