1. Why Does God Allow Suffering? Tabernacle Church School Lecture December 8th, 2009

2. Lesson Overview • Our Topics: • How Did Suffering Enter the World? • What is God’s answer to suffering? • Does the Devil Exist • How do suffering & evil impact our Lives • Course Objectives: • To be able to explain how suffering entered the world. • Will clearly understand God’s answer to suffering. • Can explain the benefits of going through suffering. • Clearly state Satan’s evil intentions (John 10:10)

3. How Did Suffering Get into the World? • God’s original intent was that we would have a life free of struggles and death. It was only by the willful disobedience that sin entered the world. • Genesis 3:16-19 • Romans 5:12-20

4. Does God Have the Power to End Suffering? • Does God have the power to end suffering? • Question: If God were to decree to stamp out all sin tonight, who of us would still be standing after midnight? • So what’s God’s answer to suffering and evil? • The answer lies in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ

5. A few examples of those who’ve suffered • Not all good deeds are rewarded… in the same fashion not all suffering is the result of doing something bad • Job • Job 1:6-12 • The Man Born Blind • John 9:1-3

6. God Knows Our Suffering • God knows what we’re going through • God also knows there are things in our character that can only be accomplished through suffering • Isaiah 53:3 • Hebrews 2:18 • Hebrews 4:15

7. Does the Devil Exist? • Satan continues in His Threefold mission to steal, kill and destroy • John 10:10 • Reality Check: Evil is always nearby: • Romans 7:21-23 • We should always by ready: • Ephesians 6:10-18

8. The Growing Process Faith Suffering Growing Restoration