We looked at biblical characters (like Joseph and Paul) who faced immense adversity but trusted God's sovereignty. We learned that biblical grit isn't just "toughing it out"—it's leaning on God's strength when ours runs out.
It's easy to trust God when things are going well. Teaching students to trust His character during the "dark nights" of their soul anchors their faith and prevents them from thinking God has abandoned them when life gets hard.
Timeline of Faithfulness: Students created a timeline of a biblical character's trials and triumphs. Their challenge is to write thank-you notes to people who have helped them through past hard times.
Do I model turning to God in stress, or do I turn to complaining, shopping, or distraction?
- Why do you think God allows bad things to happen to good people (like Joseph)?
- What's a "wilderness season" you've walked through?
- Does trusting God mean we don't feel sad or angry?
Stone of Remembrance: Read Joshua 4 (setting up stones). Find a rock from outside. Write a word or date on it representing a time God helped your family through a hard time. Put it somewhere visible as a reminder.
Affirm spiritual maturity. If they pray about a problem instead of just panicking, point it out. "I love that your first instinct was to pray about that."