Life is full of challenges. Some challenges we go looking for, such as trying to beat a record or improve a skill. Other challenges come to us, and we have to face them even if we would rather run the other way.
- What are some challenges that you have chosen—things you decided to do even though you knew they would not be easy to accomplish? (Answers will vary: learning a sport or instrument; performing on stage; etc.)
- Describe your experience as you worked toward accomplishing the challenge. (Answers will vary: it turned out to be easy; it is still a challenge; I gave up, etc.)
- What is the biggest unwelcome challenge you have ever known someone to have to face? (Answers will vary: natural disaster; hunger; poverty; war, etc.)
Today, we’ll watch a video about a young boy who faced the challenge of physical pain. Let’s take a look at what his church family does to help him face this challenge.
Play the following short video for your students: Little Boy Healed In the Name of Jesus Christ
The young boy in the video was brought forward for prayer at church. God heard the minister’s and congregation’s prayers and faith in Jesus, and the boy’s back problems were healed.
- The boy in the video struggled with physical pain—a challenge he did not choose. What are some challenges that you did not choose but that you have had to face? (Answers might include: learning disability; death of a loved one; illness; bully; parents’ divorce; anxiety; moving to a new city, etc.)
- What is the hardest part of facing an unwanted or unexpected challenge? (Answers will vary: wondering if things will ever improve; not giving up; finding the strength to press on; getting tired of how long the challenge lasts; finding that the challenge means learning to live with some type of change; etc.)
- What are some things that might distract you from facing a challenge? (Answers might include fear; looking at the big, overall problem rather than just the small bit you need to work on today; forgetting God is with you, etc.)
Peter was faced with an unexpected and exciting challenge, one where he had the resources to press on, but he let himself get distracted by fear. Let’s see what would have enabled him to do the unbelievable when he was challenged.