Home Youth Leaders Articles for Youth Leaders When Bad Things Happen to Good People: Youth Discussion Starter

When Bad Things Happen to Good People: Youth Discussion Starter

Have teenagers form pairs or trios. Direct them to read about the lives of these Bible characters:

  • Joseph—Genesis 39
  • Job—Job 1
  • Daniel—Daniel 6
  • Stephen—Acts 6:8-15; 7:51-60
  • Naomi—Ruth 1
  • David—1 Samuel 24

After they read, have kids discuss the following questions in their groups:

What caused the person’s “bad luck”?

If this happened today, what headline might a tabloid newspaper write about it?

Ask groups to share with the large group a brief synopsis of their biblical account and the headline they created. Then ask a volunteer to read aloud Romans 8:28. Ask:

How did God use the terrible situation you read about for good?

Have groups read Romans 5:1-5. Then ask:

What hope do these Bible verses give people who are enduring tough times?

What are practical ways for you to cling to God during tough times?

How can you help someone going though hard times without sounding “churchy”?

Call everyone back together again. Ask groups to share what they discussed. Then close in prayer.

This article originally appeared here.