Why Do We Suffer

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Why Do We Suffer / Job 1:1-5; 1:6-22; 2:1-10; 3:1-26; 42:7-17

One Main Truth: When Suffering comes into the lives of ChristiansWe are to stay true to the One True God

“Are you ready for the Joy of Discovery? Unlock the One Main Truth: It’s an adventure in the Game, a revelation in the Bible, and it will transform your Life. Let’s take one step closer to becoming a Champion for Eternity!”

In the Game: “The Game Was Like an Endurance Test” 
In the Bible: “God allowed Job to be Tested and Challenged Yet Job Never Denied God” 
In Your Life: “You May Face Challenges Yet Never Deny the One True God”

1 GAME EXPERIENCE: Keep Running

  1. Divide into Groups: If you have more than 20 children, split into multiple groups of 20. Have children form a circle by holding hands and moving outward. As you do this, take three steps outward to make the circle bigger. Everyone should be facing the back of the child to their right. This step is important for making the game more challenging.
  2. Explain the Game: Tell the children that they will run around the large circle you’ve created. Their goal is to tag the player’s back who is in front of them.
  3. Tag and Eliminate: When a player is tagged on their back, they are out of the game and need to move off to the side.
  4. Play Until 4 Players Left: Keep playing the game until only four players remain. These four players will be declared the winners of the game.
  5. Challenge Increases: Note that as the game goes on, players may become tired, and it will get more challenging to tag the players’ backs because the circle will have fewer participants.
  6. [Important: Play many rounds of this game today to have children become very tired, this is a challenging game for a challenging Bible lesson].

2 BIBLE DISCOVERIES: Gospel & Truth - Job 1:1-5; 1:6-22; 2:1-10; 3:1-26; 42:7-17

THE CIRCUMSTANCE
In the ancient land of Uz, there lived a man named Job. He was known far and wide for his righteousness and integrity. Job was a man of great wealth, possessing numerous flocks, herds, and servants. He was blessed with ten children and a heart filled with reverence for God. Job’s life was marked by his devotion to God and his commitment to righteousness.

THE CHOICE (Job 2:1-10).
 However, the circumstances of Job’s life were about to take an unexpected turn. Unbeknownst to Job, a conversation took place in the heavenly realms between God and satan. satan challenged the authenticity of Job’s faith, suggesting that he only served God because of his prosperity. God allowed satan to test Job’s faith, and one by one, calamities befell Job. His livestock was stolen, his servants were slain, and a powerful wind destroyed the house where his children were gathered. Despite these devastating losses, Job fell to the ground and worshiped, acknowledging the Lord’s sovereignty. He did not sin with his lips.
As if one trial were not enough, satan came before the Lord again, insisting that Job’s faith could not withstand personal suffering. God permitted satan to afflict Job’s body with painful sores. Even his wife urged him to curse God and die, but Job’s response was resolute. He recognized that God is the giver of both blessings and trials. In his pain, Job did not sin with his words, maintaining his unwavering trust in God (Job 2:1-10).

THE CONSEQUENCE  (Job 42:7-17).
Job’s suffering reached a point where he could no longer contain his emotions. He poured out his heart, expressing his deep despair and questioning the purpose of his suffering. Despite his anguish, Job did not curse God, but he wrestled with the weight of his trials (Job 3:1-26).
In time, God responded to Job’s inquiries in a remarkable way. He posed a series of questions that revealed His wisdom and power in the intricate workings of creation. Job was humbled and acknowledged his limited understanding before the Almighty. God also rebuked Job’s friends for their misguided explanations. Job, in his humility, prayed for his friends, demonstrating Christlike love even in the midst of his pain.
In response to Job’s prayers, God restored his fortunes twofold. Job received double the livestock, wealth, and blessings he had lost. He was once again blessed with children, and his latter days were marked by prosperity, restoration, and the comforting presence of God (Job 42:7-17).

3 LIFE CONNECTIONS: Connecting Jesus to Every Child

(1) The One Main Truth Planted in MY HEART, Growing MY ATTITUDE

POWER WORDS:  Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid. You are with me.” Psalm 23:5 Bonus: “Even if God kills me, I’ll still put my hope in him.” Job 13:15a

(2) The One Main Truth Rooted in MY MIND, Leading MY CHOICES

POWER QUESTIONS:

Game Questions:

  • How does the game become more challenging as it progresses? Can you think of other situations where challenges increase over time?
  • In the game, how does the circle’s size affect the difficulty of tagging players’ backs? Can you find any connections between circle size and challenges in real life?
  • Did any of you feel like quitting or just stop running?
  • Today’s Bible discovery was about a man who may have felt like quitting but he never did.
    Boys & girls, that sounds a lot like what we just discovered in the Bible!”

Bible Questions:

  • In Job’s story, how does Job’s response to his suffering reflect his commitment to staying true to God? What can we learn from his example?
  • How does Job’s reaction to his friends’ explanations connect to the idea of staying true to God during hardships? Can you think of situations when others’ advice might not align with God’s truth?
  • How did Job’s encounter with God’s majesty and wisdom impact his perspective on suffering and trials?
  • What can we learn from Job’s restoration about God’s faithfulness and His ability to bring beauty from ashes?

Life Questions:

  • When facing difficulties, how can the “Keep Running” game’s perseverance and determination relate to staying true to God in our lives?
  • Can you share a personal experience when you felt challenged to stay true to God’s ways despite tough circumstances? How did you handle it?
  • Imagine you’re playing the game, and it gets harder to tag others’ backs. How can this mirror real-life challenges? How can we stay true to God when things get tougher?

(3) The One Main Truth Today Committed in MY SOUL, Inspiring MY ACTIONS

POWER PRAYER: Repeat After Me “God your enemy and my enemy, satan, brings evil and suffering into my life, God strengthens me to always hope in you and never quit. Holy Spirit show me areas I need not lose hope
*Let’s be still and quiet, opening your heart to hear God’s whisper* 
(Coach, wait at least 14 seconds, allowing God to connect to every child)
Jesus, please give me your determination when I face challenging times”    

Ask the children what is their favorite worship song and then sing several worship songs with Strong & Powerful Worship Motions
(Click here for worship songs
“GameLife Strong & Powerful Worship Motions”)

Now, remember to share this truth,
practice this truth, and bring a friend back with you! Boys and girls, let’s go out as the
“Champions for Eternity” that God expects us to become!

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