Begin today’s lesson by offering up the following scenario to your class.
You wake up tomorrow to find yourself on a deserted island, alone. You have no food, no supplies, no shelter, and to top it all off you somehow managed to lose your shoes and shirt. Sounds pretty hopeless right?
- What would you do in a situation like this? How would you overcome this trial? (Allow a few students to share their responses to this question.)
Ultimately, in a less-than-ideal environment, you have a choice to make. You can wallow in your own self-pity and hope that someone comes to rescue you, or you could make the best of a bad situation.
This year has been filled with less-than-ideal scenarios for many people around the world including those affected by the war in Ukraine, the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, and the fires in Canada. Many individuals and families in the United States have also faced incredible difficulties this year. Let’s take a look at a story of one family who has had an incredibly difficult year.
Play the following video for your students [3:15]:
Teen has hands, legs amputated after flu-like symptoms turn out to be rare infection l GMA
- Were you surprised by Mathias’ parents being so positive and grateful despite having to see their son endure a life-threatening illness? Why or why not? (Accept all reasonable responses.)
Mathias, a bright and healthy teenager, is probably one of the last people we’d expect to contract such a serious illness that resulted in necessary amputation. His parents had to watch their beloved son suffer, and at times, they were not sure if he would live through this illness. Even when they knew he’d live, their son had to go through amputations and re-learn how to live his everyday life as an amputee. Mathias and his parents had every excuse to be bitter because of these circumstances, but they instead chose to be grateful that he was alive.
This is just one example of a family making the most of an incredibly challenging situation. Today, we’ll learn today that a level of heavenly perseverance and innovation lies within every one of us; we just need to call upon God to access it. Let’s take a look.
