Parent Discipleship Guide 26 April 2026
PARENT DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE 26 April 2026
God and Suffering
Week 2: What Is God Doing When Life Hurts?
PARENT DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE
God and Suffering
Week 2: What Is God Doing When Life Hurts?
Pastor Ryan Perry
Good Hope Baptist Church
26 April 2026
Purpose for Parents: Children notice pain, sadness, fear, sickness, and disappointment. They need biblical truth explained in words they can understand.
This guide teaches children:
Main Truth for Kids: When life hurts, God does not leave His people.
Day 1 — God Is Near When We Are Sad
Bible Verse: Psalm 34:18 - “The Lord is close to people with broken hearts. He saves those who feel crushed inside.”
Teach Your Child: When we feel sad or hurt, God is not far away. He is close, and He cares.
Ask:
Activity: Put your hand on your heart and say: God is near me.
Prayer: God, thank You for being close when I am sad. Amen.
Day 2 — God Hears Our Prayers
Bible Verse: Philippians 4:6 - Do not worry about anything. Pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him.
Teach Your Child: You can talk to God anytime about anything.
Ask:
Activity: Start a prayer jar and place prayer requests inside.
Prayer: God, thank You for hearing me when I pray. Amen.
Day 3 — Jesus Understands Pain
Bible Verse: John 11:35 - Jesus Christ cried.
Teach Your Child: Jesus cried when others were hurting. He understands sadness.
Ask:
Activity: Draw a picture of Jesus comforting someone sad.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for caring when I hurt. Amen.
Day 4 — God Can Bring Good From Hard Things
Bible Verse: Romans 8:28 - We know that God works all things together for good for those who love Him.
Teach Your Child: Hard things are real, but God can still bring good from them.
Ask:
Activity: Describe one thing you can do for a person having a hard day. Describe what you would like done for you when you are having a hard day.
Prayer: God, help me trust You in hard times. Amen.
Day 5 — God Gives Us Helpers
Bible Verse: Galatians 6:2 - Help carry each other’s troubles.
Teach Your Child: God often helps people through family, friends, teachers, and church.
Ask:
Activity: Make a list of helpers and pray for them.
Prayer: God, thank You for people who help me. Amen.
Day 6 — We Can Help Others Hurt Less
Bible Verse: Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind to one another. Be caring and forgiving.
Teach Your Child: When others hurt, we can show kindness and love.
Ask:
Activity: Make a card and pray for someone hurting.
Prayer: God, help me be kind today. Amen.
Day 7 — One Day God Fixes Everything
Bible Verse: Revelation 21:4 - He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or pain or crying.
Teach Your Child: Because of Jesus Christ, sadness will not last forever. God will make everything new.
Ask:
Activity: Draw a happy world with no tears and no pain. Describe what you think Heaven is like.
Prayer: God, thank You that one day You will make everything right. Amen.
Family Discussion Questions
Parent Help Section:
If Your Child Asks “Why Did God Let This Happen?”
Say: I do not know every reason, but I know God is good, God loves us, and God stays with us when life is hard.
If Your Child Feels Afraid…
Repeat together:
God is with me
God hears me
Jesus loves me
I am not alone
Weekly Family Challenge:
Choose one act of kindness:
Closing Blessing:
© 2026 Dr. G. Ryan Perry, PhD. All Rights Reserved.
Published in partnership with Cross+Walk Ministries and Good Hope Baptist Church.
No portion of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the author, except for brief quotations used in reviews, teaching, or ministry settings with proper attribution.
Scripture quotations adapted for children’s discipleship and educational use.
For ministry resources, teaching materials, or speaking inquiries, contact Cross+Walk Ministries.
God and Suffering
Week 2: What Is God Doing When Life Hurts?
Pastor Ryan Perry
Good Hope Baptist Church
26 April 2026
Purpose for Parents: Children notice pain, sadness, fear, sickness, and disappointment. They need biblical truth explained in words they can understand.
This guide teaches children:
- God is near when life hurts
- God hears our prayers
- Jesus Christ understands pain
- God helps us help others
- One day, God will make everything right
Main Truth for Kids: When life hurts, God does not leave His people.
Day 1 — God Is Near When We Are Sad
Bible Verse: Psalm 34:18 - “The Lord is close to people with broken hearts. He saves those who feel crushed inside.”
Teach Your Child: When we feel sad or hurt, God is not far away. He is close, and He cares.
Ask:
- Have you ever felt sad?
- How does it help to know God is near?
Activity: Put your hand on your heart and say: God is near me.
Prayer: God, thank You for being close when I am sad. Amen.
Day 2 — God Hears Our Prayers
Bible Verse: Philippians 4:6 - Do not worry about anything. Pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him.
Teach Your Child: You can talk to God anytime about anything.
Ask:
- What do you want to tell God today?
- When can we pray?
Activity: Start a prayer jar and place prayer requests inside.
Prayer: God, thank You for hearing me when I pray. Amen.
Day 3 — Jesus Understands Pain
Bible Verse: John 11:35 - Jesus Christ cried.
Teach Your Child: Jesus cried when others were hurting. He understands sadness.
Ask:
- Why do people cry?
- How does it help to know Jesus understands?
Activity: Draw a picture of Jesus comforting someone sad.
Prayer: Jesus, thank You for caring when I hurt. Amen.
Day 4 — God Can Bring Good From Hard Things
Bible Verse: Romans 8:28 - We know that God works all things together for good for those who love Him.
Teach Your Child: Hard things are real, but God can still bring good from them.
Ask:
- Can God help us in hard times?
- What good can we do today?
Activity: Describe one thing you can do for a person having a hard day. Describe what you would like done for you when you are having a hard day.
Prayer: God, help me trust You in hard times. Amen.
Day 5 — God Gives Us Helpers
Bible Verse: Galatians 6:2 - Help carry each other’s troubles.
Teach Your Child: God often helps people through family, friends, teachers, and church.
Ask:
- Who helps you when life is hard?
- How can we thank them?
Activity: Make a list of helpers and pray for them.
Prayer: God, thank You for people who help me. Amen.
Day 6 — We Can Help Others Hurt Less
Bible Verse: Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind to one another. Be caring and forgiving.
Teach Your Child: When others hurt, we can show kindness and love.
Ask:
- How can kids help others?
- What kind thing can we do today?
Activity: Make a card and pray for someone hurting.
Prayer: God, help me be kind today. Amen.
Day 7 — One Day God Fixes Everything
Bible Verse: Revelation 21:4 - He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or pain or crying.
Teach Your Child: Because of Jesus Christ, sadness will not last forever. God will make everything new.
Ask:
- What do you think heaven will be like?
- How does this give us hope?
Activity: Draw a happy world with no tears and no pain. Describe what you think Heaven is like.
Prayer: God, thank You that one day You will make everything right. Amen.
Family Discussion Questions
- What should we remember when life hurts?
- How do we know God is near?
- Why should we pray?
- How does Jesus understand sadness?
- How can we help hurting people?
- Why do Christians have hope?
Parent Help Section:
If Your Child Asks “Why Did God Let This Happen?”
Say: I do not know every reason, but I know God is good, God loves us, and God stays with us when life is hard.
If Your Child Feels Afraid…
Repeat together:
God is with me
God hears me
Jesus loves me
I am not alone
Weekly Family Challenge:
Choose one act of kindness:
- visit someone sad
- make a card
- help a neighbor
- pray for someone daily
- encourage a friend
Closing Blessing:
God is with you when you are happy.
God is with you when you are sad.
God is with you when you are afraid.
God is with you when you are confused.
And because of Jesus Christ, hope wins.
© 2026 Dr. G. Ryan Perry, PhD. All Rights Reserved.
Published in partnership with Cross+Walk Ministries and Good Hope Baptist Church.
No portion of this publication may be reproduced, stored, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise, without prior written permission from the author, except for brief quotations used in reviews, teaching, or ministry settings with proper attribution.
Scripture quotations adapted for children’s discipleship and educational use.
For ministry resources, teaching materials, or speaking inquiries, contact Cross+Walk Ministries.
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