A Good God and Evil in the World, Huh? Lesson 4 A Good God and Evil in the World, Huh?

Introduction Exercise: A MAJOR issue facing the Church in our time: The result is a culture full of “lepers.” A people stammering around without any categories for the pain, suffering, evil and death they DO encounter. Our current culture is woefully ill equipped to deal with reality because it is impossible to face what you cannot accept exists. We must embrace both the reality of evil in our world and the utter helplessness of the prevailing worldview to address it. Introduction Exercise:

Having the tools is vital BUT: John S. Fienberg

The Accusation: This is by far the most common thought about God in the midst of the storm. “How could you let this happen?” “You can’t be good!” “God, are you even there?” “No way a loving God would let…” “the only excuse for God is that he doesn’t exist.” It adheres to an underlying moral law that defines good and evil, right and wrong.

2 Biblical Truths First: The Parent Truth - How many times have we asked our young children to do something and they have reacted like we just cut off their right arm? Second: Scars “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.”

What if… Sadly, many of our brothers and sisters refuse to admit reality. The secular nature of our culture has erected the false gods of happiness and comfort. Leaving behind a generation so deceived they are incapable to deal with the certain pain, suffering, evil and death they WILL encounter. But their hope and their healing is ALIVE in every member of the body Christ. What if we live out this hope and this healing in our families… this place… this community… this world.

This is my prayer in the desert When all that’s within me feels dry The Desert Song This is my prayer in the desert When all that’s within me feels dry This is my prayer in my hunger and need My God is the God who provides

In weakness or trial or pain And this is my prayer in the fire In weakness or trial or pain There is a faith proved of more worth than gold So refine me Lord through the flame

I will bring praise, I will bring praise No weapon formed against me shall remain I will rejoice, I will declare God is my victory and He is here

I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ This is my prayer in the battle When triumph is still on its way I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ So firm on His promise I'll stand

I will bring praise, I will bring praise No weapon formed against me shall remain I will rejoice, I will declare God is my victory and He is here

All of my life, in every season I have a reason to worship (x4) You are still God I have a reason to sing I have a reason to worship (x4)

I will bring praise, I will bring praise No weapon formed against me shall remain I will rejoice, I will declare God is my victory and He is here

I know I'm filled to be emptied again And this is my prayer in the harvest When favour and providence flow I know I'm filled to be emptied again The seed I've received I will sow