Why Is There Evil, Suffering, And Pain? Pt. 1

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Main Question for Today

Why is there evil, pain, and suffering?

 

To begin, Read Romans 8:18

What does this passage tell us about pain and suffering?

 

What is the motivation behind the question of pain and suffering?

Why should we think about these things and ask this question in the first place?

 

Moral Evil

How people treat other people

 

How do we respond to the evils of humanity?

Is love even possible? Can love be given freely? If so, can love be withheld from someone?

Is there a risk to love?

How does free will play in all of this?

 

Natural Evil

What the physical world does to humankind

Does natural evil occur without humanities contribution?

Does an eternal perspective help us deal with suffering?

 

Justice

Is there true Justice in this world?

The Bible tells us that God is a just and righteous God. Justice will be done.

We can always trust God for our ultimate Justice and Hope.

 

What security do people who do not put their faith in Christ have for Justice?

 

Benefits?

Are there any benefits to pain and suffering?

Think about exercise, or a dental cleaning, or childbirth. Despite the pain that we endure, what benefits to we receive from this pains and hardships?

 

Can God relate to our suffering? How?

 

Consider this...

"Jesus came to make dead people live, not bad people good."

"Where there is freedom, the possibility of love; where there is love, the possibility of pain; where there is pain, the possibility of a savior; where a savior, the possibility of redemption; where redemption, the possibility of restoration."

"Meaninglessness doesn't come from being weary of pain. Meaninglessness comes from being weary of pleasure. The loneliest people in the world are the ones that have exhausted pleasure."

- GK Chesterton

 

Take away

What do we do with this? How does pain and evil and suffering impact our relationship with God and with others?

Knowing what we've learned, how have your perspectives on evil, pain, and suffering changed?

 

What will you do differently now that you know this?