Why does God allow pain? This has got to be one of the most asked questions of all time. It is a difficult question and has an equally difficult answer. I believe with all my heart that God can stop any and every pain that is suffered in this world. I also believe that God is completely good. So, why doesn’t He stop the pain? Why do people have to suffer? I can only say this: If God allows us to suffer, it is only for our best. He uses the pain in this life to draw us closer to Him. I choose to trust in His goodness and His unfathomable love for His children. I also believe Lamentations 3:33, which says: “For he does not willingly bring affliction or grief to anyone.” Our children need to begin understanding this truth even at their young age. Here is a fun Bible object lesson to help them do so.
Here’s what you do:
The object you will use for this lesson will be a recording of a movie of how to prune rose bushes. The following link will take you to a nice, short video that your class will enjoy: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGIhRYN137I.
Ask the following questions to help stimulate discussion:
1. I am going to play a movie of a lady showing how to prune roses. (Show video.) What are your thoughts about this video? How would you feel if you were the rose bush? (Wait for responses.) I think I might be upset and sad that all my beautiful stems were being cut off. I might even feel pain of the scissors of the gardener.
2. Pain is a part of life. Raise your hand if you like feeling pain. (Wait for response.) None of us like pain. I don’t believe God likes pain either.
3. Ask a child to read Lamentation 3:33. This verse says that God does not willingly bring pain into people’s lives. He does use pain, though, to make us more like Him. During our video we heard the lady say that pruning makes the rosebush a better plant. Likewise, the “pruning” or difficult times in our lives make us better people for the Lord.
4. Let’s learn a little more about this Scripture and learn how to apply it to our own lives. Here are 3 important points.
Point 1: Have you ever been sick or in a lot of pain? Or have you ever known someone who has been sick or in pain? Being sick is not fun for anyone. Suffering is very difficult, but in our devotion today we can learn that God will never let hard stuff last any longer than it needs to last.
Point 2: You see, God uses difficult times in our lives to change us and make us more like Him. I know this might be really hard to understand, especially when you are young, but God is good – in everything He does. Just trust Him. He knows and sees every tough time that comes your way. Remember He knows how many hairs are on your head. So, He definitely cares about the bigger things in your life!
Point 3: Pain is hard. But remember Jesus is the greatest doctor, the best surgeon and knows just exactly the kind of medicine you need. He will never let any pain or suffering or hard times last longer than is needed.
This 3-Point Bible Object Lesson for Kids was inspired by my reading of C.H. Spurgeon’s devotional on Lamentations 3:33 from his book Morning and Evening. You too can be inspired by your favorite Christian authors and come up with your own 3-Point Sermon for Kids.
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Kathy Vincent is the director of a performing ministry for children called The Scripture Lady and has been traveling around Southern California for the past 15 years ministering to preschoolers and elementary aged children with the Word of God through musical, thematic presentations.
She is also a regular seminar speaker, author/creator of over 30 products for the Christian children's worker and a veteran homeschooling mom of two.