14. God and suffering – Psalm 119:65-72
A.S.K. - 14
Read Psalm 119:65-72 and pages 63-66 of A.S.K.
Questions from the Bible reading
1. How does the psalm-writer think of himself in relation to God? (v65)
2. What’s the difference between ‘knowledge’ and ‘judgement’? (v66)
3. How did trouble help the psalm-writer? (v67)
4. What does it mean for God to be ‘good’? (v68)
5. How does the writer react to those who tell lies about him? (v69)
6. What is a ‘callous’ heart? (v70)
7. What are God’s ‘decrees’? (v71)
8. Draw a picture, or write a description, to show how highly the writer values God’s words (v72)
Questions from the book
1. What negative reply do some people give when told that God is both good and all-powerful?
2. What is the more important question than “why does God allow bad things to happen”?
3. Put into your own words the way Augustine tackled the issue of God and evil.
4. How did evil become a part of our everyday lives?
5. What are the two options for God in regard to responding to our evil?
6. Write a prayer which help someone speak to God about the hurt from evil they feel in their life.
Questions to do at home
1. Ask a Christian you know to explain why God allows evil.
2. Think about what you would say to a friend who asked “why did God let that bad thing happen to me?”
3. Why do you think God allowed the devil to tempt Adam and Eve into sin?