Hard Times?
Items Needed: Bubbles
Blow bubbles (homemade or pre-made bubble solution) to talk about how short trouble is compared to eternity in Heaven. Blow the bubbles and count to see how long it takes each one to pop.
The bubbles popped very quickly. Do you know what else is temporary? Our troubles and problems are also temporary even though they feel like they might last forever.
We might experience physical, emotional, or spiritual hurts, but we must remember we are never alone. We can be strong because Jesus gives us strength and is our strength. We can trust Him and ask Him to help us learn from our hard times. We might be able to help others when they go through troubles similar to our own.
Give Thanks…Even for Trouble!
Items Needed: Oil, popcorn (Microwave popcorn is fine.)
Make popcorn the old-fashioned way and talk about how hard times can bring something good. Pour the oil in and heat it; then pour in the popcorn and listen for the pops. Talk about how hard the kernels are before you popped them.
What do you have to do to the kernels to cook them? (Add heat)
What does the heat do to the kernels? (The heat turns the natural moisture inside the kernels to steam. The hard covering keeps the steam from escaping, causing pressure to build up inside the kernel. The pressure finally bursts the tough shell with a popping sound and the white, tasty inside of the kernel puffs out.)
Without the heat, there would be no light, fluffy popcorn to eat. The problems (hard times) that come in our life are like the heat, but something good can come out of them.
Read Psalm 34:1–7. How did this writer feel about his troubles? (Thankful God delivered him from his troubles; thankful God helped him; etc.) It’s hard to be thankful for trouble, but God is so great that He can deliver us from every trouble and even allow good to come from it.
****Microwave popcorn works too—just let them feel the hard kernels before popping.
Don’t Explode!
Items needed: Balloons, candle, matches or lighter, water
Do the following experiment to start a conversation about God’s presence and help in hard times.
Ask:
What do you want to do when bad things happen? (Get angry; feel sad; cry; shut down; etc.)
Do you ever feel like you might explode?
Blow up a balloon and tie it. Hold it over the lit candle. POP! The balloon explodes! Now take another balloon and fill it halfway with water. Blow it up and hold it over the candle. What do you think will happen? Will it explode, splashing water everywhere? Continue holding the balloon over the candle. Do you know why it won’t pop? The water in the balloon absorbs the heat from the flame. The balloon conducts heat very well, so the candle flame transfers to the water without harming the balloon.
God will help us handle the hard times we face. He will keep us from becoming angry or bitter. He will keep us from exploding!