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Bent and Torn
Written by Karen Noal
Teaching Goal:
God is still with us and loves us when bad things happen.
Scripture:
II Corinthians 11:16-35 – Paul’s many trials and persecutions
II Corinthians 12:10 “Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
II Corinthians 4:8-9 “We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not abandoned; struck down but not destroyed.”
Romans 8:28 “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Materials:
• 1 piece of paper
• Pen or pencil
I.
Play theme song.
II.
Pray.
III.
Review last lesson.
IV.
Lesson and discussion:
 Words that are written in bold are when you, the parent, are speaking. Feel free to use your own words.
- Have you ever had anything bad happen to you? Have you ever been sick or hurt? Everyone has occasional unpleasant experiences. Some people blame God when these times occur, but we shouldn’t. God loves us and hates to see us hurt, but we live in a world where bad things happen. When they do, God can use them to help us grow stronger.
- ACTIVITY #1: Read through II Corinthians 11:16-35 and make a list of all the things that happened to Paul. Discuss the many things that happened. How would you react if someone threw rocks at you for telling them about Jesus? How would you react if you were shipwrecked? Beaten? Whipped? Let’s look and see what Paul’s reaction was. Read II Corinthians 12:10 for Paul’s reaction. Was Paul angry or bitter at God? Why not?
Tell me about some bad things that have happened to you in your life. Add your examples to Paul’s list. Do you think God still cared for you even when those things happened?
Turn the paper over and start a list of how God uses bad times in the life of Paul to accomplish good things:
Paul was blinded on the road to Damascus…
…that is how Paul met Jesus.
Paul put up with hard travel from country to country…
…the Gentiles learned about Jesus from Paul.
Paul was thrown in prison…
…the prison guards learned about Jesus.
Paul was on trial before Caesar…
…the Roman government heard about Jesus.
Add to the list examples of how God has taken bad times in your life and made them into something good.
- ACTIVITY #2: Read II Corinthians 4:8-9. (SEE DIAGRAM on pdf) Using the same piece of paper, fold the right upper corner down to the left edge. (With each fold discuss how we are often bent, folded, and crushed. Push down…press…and crush with each fold, referring to the verse.) Fold the left top pointed edge down, matching the lower edge of your previous fold, forming a peak. Fold paper in half from left to right. The left edge will be straight and the right edge will be angled.
Fold over the shorter diagonal edge back toward the long edge so that it touches or overlaps some. Open this fold back up and tear along the fold. Read Romans 8:28. Even when bad things happen to us, God knows and loves us. We don’t always understand but God does and will help us. Open up the paper. This sheet of paper was folded, bent, crushed and torn but look what happened. What is it now? a cross God has a plan and purpose for our lives, even when bad things happen. We can trust in God and His love for us.
V.
Memorize:
Trust God to take the bad
And turn it into glad
VI.
Close in prayer.
VII.
Pass it On.
Misfortune, God's Love
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