To address the question: "Why does God permit evil?" and to help students respond sensitively toward those who suffer.

OVERVIEW

LEADER PREPARATION

• Compared to most issues you may want to address, this is one for which there is usually plenty of video material available. Simply record a telathon or part of a news program depicting famine or disaster. Something dealing with the Holocaust may also be appropriate. Consider obtaining the "USA for Africa" video and any other related videos (e.g., "Band-Aid").
• Determine how to articulate your theology concerning evil and grace. Facts concerning worldwide hunger may be helpful.
• Research some relief organizations. Decide which of them your group might contribute to; have this information ready to give to the group.
• Prepare any necessary equipment for use.

GROUP BUILDING

If desired, lead a few appropriate songs.

GROUP PRESENTATION AND DISCUSSION

• After playing the video material depicting suffering, discuss the following:
  • What makes you uncomfortable in watching this?
  • Describe your own experience of suffering or pain.
• Read together any healing or feeding story from the Bible. Ask these questions:
  • Are these situations similar to what we have just seen on the video? How?
  • What does the Bible say
  • What should our service be to suffering people?

WRAP-UP

Address each of these issues to close the program:

• Much of the world’s suffering is caused by man’s mistreatment of his neighbors.
• Without the ability to feel pain, we could not experience what we consider good things in life.
• We should help those who suffer.
• As a group, commit yourselves to at least one fund-raising project per year for the hungry.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

• Schedule a day to help at a soup kitchen.
• Organize a day of working at a local senior citizen’s complex.
• Plan a work day to serve church members who are suffering. Yard work and spring cleaning are difficult for the elderly and even for those who are recently widowed.

Dean Borgman cCYS