TOPIC: Natural Disasters

MEMORY VERSE: “For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.” – Matthew 24:7(KJV)

BIBLE PASSAGE: Matthew 24:6-8 (KJV)

6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.

7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

8 All these are the beginning of sorrows.

INTRODUCTION:

Natural disasters challenge the Christian belief that God is good. The enormous loss of lives and properties resulting from pandemics, earthquakes, floods, etc, is terrible and tragic.

Our grief and even our anger are human, but no one grieves more than the Lord Himself (Hebrews 4:15).

Christ is moved by the afflictions we suffer and even weeps over our pains (John 11:35). Could the God who loves us also be the one to destroy us? How do we reconcile the mercy of God in Christ with His permission for natural disasters?

LESSON OUTLINES:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION
WHY GOD ALLOWS IT
1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Natural disasters are catastrophic events with atmospheric, geological, or hydrological origins.

It is a major adverse event resulting from natural processes of the Earth; examples include firestorms, dust storms, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, storms, and other geological processes.

A natural disaster can cause loss of lives or damage properties and typically leaves some economic damages in its wake, the severity of which depends on the affected population’s resilience or the infrastructure available (Luke 21:11).

God created the whole universe and the laws of nature (Genesis 1:1).

Most natural disasters are a result of these laws at work. For instance, hurricanes, typhoons, and tornadoes are the results of divergent weather patterns colliding.

Earthquakes are the result of the earth’s plate structure shifting. A tsunami is caused by an underwater earthquake.

Natural disasters differ from God’s use of natural forces, as recorded in the Bible. Natural disasters kill and maim indiscriminately. God’s acts of judgment recorded in the Bible were selective (Genesis 19:29-30).

On one hand, natural disasters usually strike with little or no warning.

On the other hand, God gave warnings to the wicked before using natural forces against them (Genesis 6:13; Matthew 24:38-39).

CLASS ACTIVITY 1: Students should recall instances of natural disasters they are aware of.

2. WHY GOD ALLOWS IT

It is distressing that natural disasters are often termed “acts of God” while no “credit” is given to God for years, decades, or even centuries of peace and stability.

However, generally, God allows natural disasters so as:

i. To serve as a warning for unbelievers. Disasters are warnings, and unbelievers often turn to God for the first time when they face a tornado or an earthquake (Revelation 11:13).

ii. To remind us that even nature was affected by sin. Natural disasters remind us that nature, while beautiful, is broken and cursed (Genesis 3:17-18).

iii. To establish God’s supremacy over man. Some disasters give no warning even with all the science and technology a country can afford to put in place (Psalms 115:3).

iv. To indicate the beginning of the last days. They are signs of the end times (Matthew 24:3, 7).

v. To allow cause and effect to operate independently. Some natural disasters are a result of man’s abuse and damage to the natural environment (Ecclesiastes 7:29).

vi. To allow believers to demonstrate God’s love to humanity by helping, ministering, counselling, praying, and leading people to the saving faith in Christ (Acts 11:28-30; Galatians 6:10).

vii. To establish God’s judgment upon the wicked (Genesis 18:20; 19:24-25).

CONCLUSION: God can, and does, bring great good out of terrible tragedies (Romans 8:28).

QUESTIONS:

Describe the term ‘natural disaster’
Why does God allow ‘natural disasters’?
ASSIGNMENT: Identify five ways the church can help those affected by natural disasters. (2×5=10 marks)

RCCG Sunday School HYMN

O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.
O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

Action Point

PS: I know you might agree with some of the points raised in this article or disagree with some of the issues raised. Let me know your views about the topic discussed. We would appreciate it if you could drop your comment. Thanks in anticipation.

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