Lesson 4: Why Does God Allow Suffering?

What crucial decision brought the first human suffering into the world?
Adam and Eve eating the forbidden fruit.
Cain killing his brother Abel.
Cain leaving the presence of God.
Adam and Eve being cast out of the Garden of Eden.

Disobeying God’s law by choosing wrongly:
Brings suffering and pain.
Automatically brings grace and forgiveness.
Permanently frustrates God’s intentions for man.
None of the above.

As the unseen ruler of this world, Satan’s capacity to cause human suffering is:
Extensive, although it is restrained by God’s sovereignty.
Totally unlimited.
Confined to religious people.
A myth of ancient cultures.

Suffering by true Christians:
Can result in the building of Godly character.
Is without rhyme or reason.
Has no part of God’s plan.
Is strictly accidental and happenstance.

Divine physical and emotional healing:
Was only for first-century Christians.
Never occurred in Old Testament times.
Is not necessary today because of medical advances.
Is certainly possible for Christians today.

A great biblical example of patient suffering was provided by:
King Saul.
Balaam the prophet.
The patriarch Job.
King Ahab.

Suffering at the hand of others:
Tests our willingness to follow Christ in His sufferings.
Proves they are the worst of sinners.
Authorizes us to take revenge.
Is acceptable only when non-Christians are the perpetrators.

The general principle of time and chance:
Applies only to past generations.
Applies to all humanity.
Applies only to Christians.
Is not a biblical teaching.

The fall of the tower of Siloam:
Was no accident.
Provides an object lesson in repentance.
Proves that its victims were the worst sinners.
Was evidence of time and chance.

Ultimately, sovereignty in the universe rests with:
The angelic hosts.
God the Father.
The Trinity.
The resurrected saints.

One purpose of Christ’s coming was to:
Relieve human suffering.
Automatically bring grace even to those who do not believe in God’s law.
Do away with most of God’s law.
Supersede the Old Testament.

When the apostle Paul was called to Christianity, what was he assured of?
Much suffering for Christ and the gospel’s sake.
Smooth sailing and relative ease.
Freedom from the restraints of God’s law.
Instantaneous immortality.

The suffering of the righteous, works toward the building of:
Perseverance.
Character.
Hope.
All of the above.

A Christian should:
Indiscriminately welcome any and all suffering without question.
Avoid bringing unnecessary suffering on himself or herself.
Go out of his way to bring suffering on himself or herself.
Encourage other Christians to bring suffering on themselves.

Was evidence of time and chance.
God is not fair.
We are the victims of a hostile universe.
God has a great purpose for mankind.
We are all the product of evolution.

One way to help reduce suffering is:
Obey God’s law.
Cut corners with man’s law.
Don’t get caught.
Live an ascetic life.

Righteous suffering by true Christians:
Has no permanent value.
Is necessary in bringing us toward God’s Kingdom.
Is evidence of naivety as it serves no purpose.
Should make them feel superior to others.

Jesus Christ had to suffer:
Because of our sins.
For our physical and spiritual healing.
To ultimately remove sin forever.
All of the above.

For many people, the most overwhelming objection to a belief in God is:
The so-called inability to prove God’s existence.
Alleged claims that the Bible is not God’s Word.
The theory of evolution.
The existence of so much human pain and suffering in the world.

Suffering can often be traced to this simple principle:
Random happenstance and accident.
God has permanently hidden Himself.
Cause and effect.
Failure of angelic help.

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