LESSON 11: READ AND RESPOND
THEME: Loneliness/Anger
VOCABULARY: faithful, difficult, problems, situations, a lot, anger, angry, pressure, groan, lift, relief, holy
STORY: There is a boy. His name is James. He is 13 years old. He lives with his mom, dad, brother, and sister. He has recently made a new friend named Paul. Paul has helped James in many ways over the past few months. James was very lonely. But then James found comfort in the Lord. However, the Lord has not taken all of his difficulties away. James still has to take care of his siblings a lot during the week. This has caused him to continue to struggle with anger. He feels angry that he cannot just be a kid. He feels a lot of pressure to a good example to his siblings and a good son to his parents. James knew that giving his life to the Lord would not take away all of his problems. He knows that God is there for him, but that people and situations can cause things in life to be difficult. James really tries to stay faithful to Jesus, but sometimes he gets angry with God. Sometimes James feels it is not fair that he has to work so hard and be so responsible. He questions God and the purpose God has for his life. He wonders why other kids get to live so freely. He reads Psalm 22:1-3, which says, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief. Yet you are holy…” James is slowly learning that even though we may not feel like God sees us in our time of need, God is always there. James is learning that he has to continue to seek the Lord and continue to look for comfort in his time spent with the Lord. James knows that one day the Lord will help relieve him of all of his anger and loneliness and that maybe now is just not the time.
STORY WITH QUESTIONS: There is a boy. (Is there a boy or a girl?) His name is James. (What is his name?) He is 13 years old. (How old is he?) He lives with his mom, dad, brother, and sister. (Who does he live with?) He has recently made a new friend named Paul. (What is his friend’s name?) Paul has helped James in many ways over the past few months. James was very lonely. (How was James feeling before?) But then James found comfort in the Lord. (Who has given James comfort in?) However, the Lord has not taken all of his difficulties away. (Has the Lord taken away all of James’ difficulties away?) James still has to take care of his siblings a lot during the week. (Who does James take care of during the week?) This has caused him to continue to struggle with anger. (What does James struggle with?) He feels angry that he cannot just be a kid. (Why does he feel angry?) He feels a lot of pressure to a good example to his siblings and a good son to his parents. (What does James feel like he has to do?) James knew that giving his life to the Lord would not take away all of his problems. He knows that God is there for him, but that people and situations can cause things in life to be difficult. (What causes things in life to be difficult?) James really tries to stay faithful to Jesus, but sometimes he gets angry with God. (Who does James get angry with?) Sometimes James feels it is not fair that he has to work so hard and be so responsible. (How does James feel?) He questions God and the purpose God has for his life. (Who does he question?) He wonders why other kids get to live so freely. (What does he wonder?) He reads Psalm 22:1-3, which says, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief. Yet you are holy…” James is slowly learning that even though we may not feel like God sees us in our time of need, God is always there. (Who is always there for us even if we don’t think He is?) James is learning that he has to continue to seek the Lord and continue to look for comfort in his time spent with the Lord. (Does God always get rid of all of our problems? Do we need to continue to seek the Lord?) James knows that one day the Lord will help relieve him of all of his anger and loneliness and that maybe now is just not the time. (What will the Lord do one day?)
ACTIVITIES
- Review the Vocabulary Words .
- Listen to Audio 1 as you read the story.
- Listen to Audio 2 – Story with Questions as you read the story and answer questions.
- Discuss the main theme:
- Does God get rid of all of our difficulties right when we want Him to?
- What do we need to wait for? (God’s timing)
- How can we continue to be faithful even when we are upset or angry?
- Has there been a time when you have been upset or angry? What did you do?
- End the class in prayer.