The Logical and Emotional Problem of Evil - Teacher (Standard) (print)

Teens (ages 13-17) · Job 1:1-2:13; Psalm 88; Romans 8:18-39 · Standard ·35 minutes

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Objective: Analyse the relevant text and explain the case that suffering raises both intellectual and personal questions that cannot be answered by a single formula.

Read: Job 1:1-2:13; Psalm 88; Romans 8:18-39

Opening: Ask one observation question before explaining the lesson.

Say:

The selected passage supplies the principal textual evidence for The Logical and Emotional Problem of Evil.
Suffering raises both intellectual and personal questions that cannot be answered by a single formula.

Ask:

What does the text directly say?
What conclusion requires interpretation or synthesis?
What should we avoid overstating?
What is one faithful response?

Do: Complete The Logical and Emotional Problem of Evil Claim Audit.

Close: Restate the big idea, name one faithful response, and pray.

Materials: Bible; The Logical and Emotional Problem of Evil Claim Audit

Standard outline · 35 minutes

4 minConnect. Locate the lesson within Cycle 2 and activate prior knowledge.
4 minContext. Identify genre, audience, setting, and immediate context before making claims.
9 minRead and observe. Read selected portions of Job 1:1-2:13; Psalm 88; Romans 8:18-39 and identify direct observations. Ask: What does the passage directly say?
7 minDiscuss. Test the big idea against the evidence and identify interpretive limits. Ask: What conclusion can we support from those observations? Where could someone overstate or misapply this passage?
7 minActivity. Complete the primary evidence-based activity. Activity: The Logical and Emotional Problem of Evil Claim Audit. Printable: T4-L08-P01-the-logical-and-emotional-problem-of-evil-claim-audit.
4 minRespond. Name one faithful response and pray. Ask: What faithful response fits the text?

Activity details

The Logical and Emotional Problem of Evil Claim Audit · 10 min

Materials: Mission from Jerusalem to the Nations Claim Audit; Bible; Pens or pencils

Read the selected text in Job 1:1-2:13; Psalm 88; Romans 8:18-39.
Record two direct observations from the passage.
Test the lesson big idea: Suffering raises both intellectual and personal questions that cannot be answered by a single formula.
Name one conclusion that would go beyond the evidence and should therefore be avoided.

Low-resource option: Draw the categories on blank paper or complete verbally.

Closing

Memory verse: Job 1:1-2:13; Psalm 88; Romans 8:18-39

Prayer: Thank God for what the passage shows and ask for wisdom to respond faithfully.

Take-home line: Suffering raises both intellectual and personal questions that cannot be answered by a single formula.