Chad Buckner Story: Overcoming Childhood Trauma
Chad Buckner’s story is one of redemption, healing, and restoration. Abuse. Abandonment. Suicide. Cancer. Divorce. Loneliness. Despair. Watch this video to hear how God’s faithfulness redeemed Chad’s story and gave him a new hope and a “second chance” at life. This is a fitting video resource with discussion questions for youth and young adult ministries, small groups, mentors and leaders, juvenile center and prison chaplains, domestic violence support groups, and many other ministry and outreach contexts.
Youth Discussion Questions
- Chad prayed for his story to be used for the glory of God. Why do you think that is important?
- Chad said that he grew up in a “functioning dysfunctional family,” where anger, abuse, and domestic violence had an effect on his upbringing. In what ways are you a product of your upbringing?
- The spiritual leader in Chad’s home was his mother. She modeled faith for him in distressing circumstances. Do you know someone like this?
- When Chad lost his father to suicide, he said that trying to work through pain got him “sideways” with his faith, and confessed to making bad choices as a result. Have you ever struggled in this way?
- During the biggest crisis of his life, Chad felt like the people who should’ve been there for him were not. Can you relate to this tension?
- When diagnosed with cancer, he likened it to a death sentence, in which fear tormented him. When has fear or anxiety hijacked your life to such an extent that it felt like a death sentence?
- While going through radiation treatment, someone handed Chad a piece of paper with the Bible verse Isaiah 41:10. It read “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” What promise is attached to this scripture that can encourage us when going through a crisis?
- Though being healed of cancer, Chad still went through a painful divorce. How did God give him a “second chance” and show Himself faithful and good in Chad’s life?
- In what ways do you think God wants to take your “mess and turn it into a message,” like Chad suggested?
- In what ways do you sense that God wants to meet you right in the middle of your mess? How can you respond to His love and kindness in this moment?