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Lesson & Handouts for Today
Click here for handouts to today’s sermon, monthly Bible Readings, and select adult class handouts.
Todays Lesson:
How Could a Loving God Allow so Much Suffering?
James 1:2-4
A dam failure in Derna, Libya, on September 11 of this year killed an estimated 18,000-20,000 people. In August of this year, estimated deaths and injuries caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine reached 500,000. Cancer resulted in more than 600,000 deaths in the US alone in 2022. Suffering and death amplify when we move from large perspectives to personal ones; it becomes raw and heartbreaking when it moves from statistics into the lives of people we know. The inescapable reality of suffering and death motivated Richard Dawkins to write in his 1995 book, River Out of Eden: A Darwinian View of Life:
“Nature is not cruel, only pitilessly indifferent. This is one of the hardest lessons for humans to learn. We cannot admit that things might be neither good nor evil, neither cruel nor kind, but simply callous-indifferent to all suffering, lacking all purpose.”
Like Dawkins, numerous people believe suffering’s widespread and “pitilessly indifferent” character undermines the Bible’s claims, raising tough questions like, “How could a loving God allow so much suffering?” This lesson will conclude our “Tough Questions” series by considering suffering’s challenge.
Worship Order
Worship Order 10 am Service
Welcome & Prayer
118-Count Your Blessings
Scripture Reading
Sermon & Invitation
95-Burdens Are Lifted at Calvary
659-There is Rest, Sweet Rest
Prayer
454-Nothing But the Blood
Communion
755-When The Roll is Called Up Yonder
Closing Prayer
Evening Service Tonight at 5 pm
Devotional at 5 p.m. in the auditorium for all ages. A Youth-Led Service will follow.
Next Week
Singing
Online Giving
Visit here to give online. You can configure a single one-time or recurring contribution using your credit/debit card or an electronic check (ACH) from your bank. This convenience comes with some bank fees, which the church will pay as a deduction from your contribution. Other ways to give are through the collection box in the foyer or by mailing a check to 151st Street Church of Christ, PO Box 3537, Olathe, KS 66063.