WHY GOD LETS PEOPLE SUFFER

Lesson 4: DISCIPLINE

Pr: 3:12 The Lord disciplines those He loves

I.  Today we discuss the need for teaching obedience and the need for discipline.

A. 5 yr. old. intentionally breaks sibling’s toy.

B.  Older child steals money from parent’s wallet.

C.  Would God be righteous and just if He did not discipline people doing bad things?

II. DISCUSSION: Read: 2Ch.7:19-22

Q1a.  Most important commandment: Love Him with all their hearts.

     b.  His promised discipline: Uproot them and make life so bad people will ask, “Why has the Lord done such a thing as this to the land and the temple?”

     c.  Kept His word: Jews all over the world, Solomon’s temple long gone, Jews hated. Tom Lehrer, “National Brotherhood Week” (Oh, the Protestants hate......)

LESSON:  God keeps His word, even of discipline.

III. Read Is. 5:1-7

2a Looked for righteousness and got bloodshed and distress

  b No. hedge, no cultivation or pruning, no rain.

IV. Is. 5:18-19

3a. People who live in sin and say they look forward to the Lord coming

  b. Will throw others off; shows they do not really love God

     Q4: Mt. 7:15-23  They are same people.  They live in sin, yet make it look like they love the Lord.

V.  Is. 5:20-25

5a Who call good evil and evil good

  b.   Today: 21 “woe to those wise in their own eyes

22  drink too much and don’t think it’s bad

23 blames those who take bribed and do not do justice

24 People who think and behave like that have rejected God and He will discipline, punish, them.

VI. Romans 6:11-15 Not under law

        Read Mt. 12:30-32 an Heb. 10:26-31

6. a  Under new covenant, when are we not forgiven?

    b. Why must God punish those who do these things?

        Katrina:

1.  Treatment of the poor

2.  Miss use of funds to fix levees

3.  Homosexual gala the next week

                4.  Casinos

                5.  Mardi Gras

7.In what ways has God’s discipline helped you?