QUESTIONS ANSWERED

1. WHY DOES GOD ALLOW SUFFERING?

The Bible teaches that God created the world good and created mankind in His image with the ability to recognize right and wrong.

God originally created the earth good. The main reason that we have evilness, pain, death and suffering today is because of sin. Sin entered the world when Adam disobeyed God.

Key Scriptures:
• Genesis 1:26-27
• Romans 2:14-15  | All mankind has a sense of right and wrong
• Romans 5:12

Big Idea:
Suffering entered the world through sin, not because God created evil.

2. WHY DO EVIL PEOPLE SEEM TO GO UNPUNISHED?

At times it may appear that wickedness wins. Scripture reminds us that God’s justice may be delayed, but it is never absent.

Key Scriptures:
• Psalm 37:1-2
• Revelation 20:11-15

Big Idea:
Every person will one day stand before God and give an account.

3. IF GOD LOVES WHY DOES HE ALLOW HIS CHILDREN SUFFER?

Following Christ does not exempt us from hardship. In fact, Scripture teaches that believers should expect trials.

Key Scriptures:
• 2 Timothy 3:10-14
• Romans 8:28

Big Idea:
God can use suffering to strengthen faith and accomplish His purposes. God never promised his children that they would never

4. WHY DOESN’T GOD ALWAYS ANSWER OUR PRAYERS?

Scripture gives several reasons prayers may not be answered the way we expect:

• Unconfessed sin
• Selfish motives
• Doubt
• Unforgiveness
• Disobedience
• Pride
• Requests outside God’s will

Key Scriptures:
Psalm 66:18 | James 4:3 | James 1:6-7 | Mark 11:25 | Proverbs 28:9 | 1 John 5:14

Remember:
God’s answers are often:
✓ YES
✓ WAIT
✓ NO

Sometimes the issue isn’t that God isn’t answering our prayers, it may be that he doesn’t answer in the manner we wanted or expected.

5. HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND TO THOSE WHO CHALLENGING US AND OR HURTING?

Jesus invites those who are weary and burdened to come to Him for rest.

Key Scriptures:
• Matthew 11:28-29
• 1 Peter 5:7

Big Idea:
God cares deeply about our pain and invites us to trust Him. We should seek to have a heart of compassion when challenged with hard questions such as what we discussed.

FINAL THOUGHT

While we may not always understand suffering, we can trust the character of God. The Bible teaches that He is loving, just, compassionate, and present even in life’s most difficult moments.

Ultimately, we have pain and suffering due to sin. Even though it seems as though people are getting away with evilness, they will have a time of judgement.

God answers prayers in the form of Yes, No, and wait. Lastly, sometimes we may think God isn’t answering because he did not answer the way we expected.