Bible Activity

Let’s say the SuperTruth together: “Jesus has overcome the world.”

The Bible verses we will look up and discuss are about how the trials and hardships in this present world are short compared to the time we will spend with God in heaven.

Note that the suggested answers are from the New Living Translation. If children are using different translations, their answers will vary.

1. 2 Corinthians 4:16–18:

¹⁶ That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. ¹⁷ For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! ¹⁸ So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. 

• In verse 16, what happens to our physical bodies as we get older? They begin to fail and die.
• Is it the same with our spirits? No, they are renewed every day.
• Our natural, physical bodies eventually grow weaker and wear out as we get older—but not our spirits. Why? Our spirits last forever, our natural bodies do not. (1 Corinthians 15:43–44)
• In verse 17, how are our natural or physical bodies like the troubles we face? They won’t last very long.
• Yes, when you are young, 80 or 90 years old seems long; but, compared to eternity or forever with God, it is very short. How does God’s glory compare to life’s troubles? It lasts forever and outweighs the troubles—or is much greater.
• According to verse 18, what should we focus on? Things we can’t see—spiritual things, things in heaven instead of troubles we see with our natural eyes in this world.
• What is the difference between the troubles now and the things we cannot see? The things we can’t see—God’s spiritual things—last forever. The things of this world won’t last—they will be gone.

2.  1 Peter 1:6–8: 

⁶ So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. ⁷ These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. ⁸ You love Him even though you have never seen Him. Though you do not see Him now, you trust Him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. 

• In verse 6, what can we look forward to in the future? Wonderful joy.
• What must we go through for a while? Many trials.
• In verse 7, what does enduring trials show about us? That our faith is genuine or real.
• What is the testing of our faith with trials compared to? Fire purifying gold.
• Fire burns out the impurities and purifies the gold. How is this like our faith? If our faith is real, during a trial, we will stand firm and hold onto God, showing our faith is real.
• How valuable is true faith? More valuable or precious than gold.
• What is the reward for true faith? Praise, glory and honor—rewards in heaven when Jesus comes back to earth.    
• In verse 8, what do we do even though we don’t see Jesus with our natural eyes? By faith we love Him, trust Him, and rejoice in Him in ways that can’t be explained.  

3.  Romans 8:35–38:

³⁵ Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? ³⁶ (As the Scriptures say, “For Your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) ³⁷ No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. ³⁸ And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 

• What is the answer to the question asked in verse 35? Nothing can separate us! (Answer in verse 38.)   
• When problems arise, does it mean that you have done something wrong, or that God doesn’t love you? Trials can strengthen us; they don’t mean we have sinned or God abandoned or left us alone.
• Look at verse 36—what does Jesus sometimes call us as believers and what does He call Himself? We are sheep—He is the Good Shepherd. 
• Does a shepherd leave his sheep when danger comes? No, a shepherd rescues and protects the sheep.
• Verse 36 is referring to Psalm 44:22. What do you think this is talking about in regard to our life on the earth? We will face trials, danger and persecution in this world; some believers have faced death.
• In the Bible story, who did Herod kill? James, John’s brother.    
• Who was Herod planning to also kill to please the Jews? Peter.
• In verse 37, even though we face troubles, danger, persecution, and other hardships—what do we have through Christ? Overwhelming victory—Jesus’ love.
• In verse 38, name the things that cannot separate is from God’s love. Death, life, angels, demons, fears for today, worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell.    
• Does this study change the way you view trials and hardships; explain. Children answer. 

Conclusion: Even though it may seem like a trial or hardship lasts a long time, it is temporary and cannot be compared to what awaits us for eternity in heaven.