Splink
» Suffering
Why didn't Drew's mom give him what he wanted? (Because she knew it could hurt him.)
What could you do if your toy or something you own got broken? (You could give it to someone who knows how to fix it)
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1
Breaking Free
Act out the Bible story your kids learned this week—the story of Peter being released from prison. Assign parts and have the kids act it out as you read it aloud from Acts 12:1-19.
Ask:
How did God answer the people's prayer for Peter? (He released Peter from prison.)
Does God always answer our prayers the way we wish? Why or why not?
Is God our magic genie?
God is NOT a magic genie. He does not grant all our wishes.
God has the power to do whatever He chooses, but we must give our problem to Him and trust that He will do whatever is best. He may choose to do a miracle like He did when He delivered Peter from prison. Then again, He may NOT choose to do a miracle. God did not deliver James from Herod’s sword in prison; James had to die for his faith. God knows what is best and He is pleased when we come to Him. We can ask Him anything, but we must ask Him to work out His will in the situation. Remember that He is wise and knows what is best.
2
Father Knows Best
Tell the following story to your kids.
Andrea was upstairs when she heard her little brother from the kitchen begging, "Please, please, I want it!"
She heard her mom answer in a firm tone, "No, Drew. You can't have this." Andrea tried to do her homework, but found it hard to concentrate over Drew's loud pleading and then his crying. Finally, she got up and walked to the kitchen. "Mom, will you please give Drew what he wants?"
"Sorry, I can't do that," she patiently answered. "I can't give him what he wants."
"Why not?" Andrea asked.
"Because he wants the knife that I've been using to cut up the vegetables."
Ask:
Just as a wise parent doesn't always say yes to a child's request, God doesn't always say yes to our requests. Sometimes He says no or wait. Yes, no, and wait are all answers. We need to pray that God's will be done in every situation (Matthew 6:10).
3
God's Hands
Items needed: box (shoe box or similar size will work fine)
Slips of paper and pencils
Write the words "God's hands" on the shoebox.
Ask:
When we have problems that are too big for us to handle, we can put our problems in "God's hands." God is wise and knows what is best. We can trust Him to help us.
Allow kids to write down a request on a slip of paper. Fold it and put it in the box. Say a prayer asking God for help and for His will to be done in that situation. Pray for the requests in the box each day, asking God to work out His will.
