Why did God create the world KNOWING that suffering would happen?

The Bible actually doesn’t give us a ‘direct’ answer. However, there are things we learn about God that help us understand why he allowed suffering to exist.

Start with these verses. What motivates God to save his people?

For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. (1 Samuel 12:22)

“Therefore say to the Israelites, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: It is not for your sake, people of Israel, that I am going to do these things, but for the sake of my holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you have gone.” (Ezekiel 36:22)

For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36)

God does everything so that people would know who He is and worship Him. That’s what his ‘glory’ is. It’s him being known for who He is and worshiped.

When God created everything, He knew that suffering would actually lead to that being the case.

1.) How can suffering help people know God better?

2.) In a world without suffering, do you think people would care much about God? Why/why not?

3.) What things could we never have learnt about God if suffering and sin didn’t exist?

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Now, how would you answer our original question?