Jackson's MDWK Lesson: The Problem of Evil

Thank Micheal for the opportunity to speak

Introduce Evil, “Merriam webster definition (put on a slide)

There are three broad types of evil, Physical, Human, and Spiritual

Physical evil #1: Natural disasters

Talk about Helene and the devastation caused (show some pictures)

Physical evil #2: Disabilities (mental and physical)

Talk about how it’s not our fault or our parent’s fault, it’s just the way we were born. Use ADHD as a specific example.

Physical evil #3: Job’s perception (Job 1:13-22)

Job 1:13–22 ESV

13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14 and there came a messenger to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 16 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 17 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” 22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

“I once read the sentence ‘I lay awake all night with a toothache, thinking about the toothache and about lying awake.’ That’s true to life. Part of every misery is, so to speak, the misery’s shadow or reflection: the fact that you don’t merely suffer, but have to keep on thinking about the fact that you suffer. I not only live each endless day in grief, but live each day thinking about living each day in grief.”

-C.S. Lewis: A Grief Observed

Human evil #1: Inward and self-directed evil

Negative self-talk, self harm.

Talk about how you are making an active decision to make life worse for you.

Human evil #2: Outward and others-directed evil

Abuse, violent crime, and war.

Human evil #3: Job’s wife and friends (Job 2:9-10)

Job 2:9–10 ESV

9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

brief overview of Job 4-37

Talk about how Job’s wife abandons him and tells him to abandon his principles and kill himself.

Then talk about how his supposed friends attempt to manipulate him into misinterpreting scripture and God’s will for him.

Then they attack his character just to make the whole chain of events make sense in their own minds.

Movie Clip (you’re not a viking) https://youtu.be/F6nVLvQOMLM?si=oBZ9MJUNaMB48Z8F

Talk about the abuse in this scene, and the context behind it.

Spiritual evil #1: The Great Battle

Talk about the San Francisco police officer.

Spiritual evil #2: Demonic Influence

Talk about cults and demon possession briefly.

Spiritual evil #3: Satan and God (Job 1:6-12 and 2:1-8)

Why does God allow this?

Leave the question open ended.

Personal story, I have no mouth and I must scream

Conclusion #1: The Almighty Power of God (Job 38:4-18)

Conclusion #2: Free Will

Talk about the fact that God wanted friends and companions not robots.

We dig our own grave, but God isn’t the one who gives us the shovel, he just taught us how to dig.

Conclusion #3: True Friendship and Family(Job 42:10-17)

Thank Micheal again for the opportunity to speak

Remind people about small groups and Esteban

Pray out

Small Group Questions:

Which of the three types of evil do you encounter most regularly?

How can we show the love of Jesus to those who struggle with mental illnesses?

How do you get out of the rut of negative self talk? What techniques do you use to stop yourself from spiraling?

When was the last time you saw active demonic influence in your life? Something beyond just normal temptation?

As we move into the Christmas season, what steps will you take to mitigate your output of evil into the world, and to not let the world's evil affect you?