Leader Guide

Objective
Students will learn that Christians should praise God at all times, including when we are struggling and suffering, because God is always good.

Warm Up
Would You Rather? – Bad or Worse Edition: Have all students stand up in the middle of the room. Instruct them that you will give them a “would you rather” scenario and their answer will determine to which side of the room they will go. As you state each choice, point to the side of the room to which they should move. Once students have chosen and moved, ask at least one student to explain their choice.

Make sure that both scenarios are undesirable. (i.e. “Would you rather fight 100 duck-sized horses or 1 horse-sized duck?”)

Transition
Think of the worst “would you rather” choice you just had to make.

• How would you feel as you were living out the choice you made?
• Would you be grateful that you didn’t have to live through the situation you didn’t choose?
• If there was a reward at the end of either bad choice, would it make living through them easier? Why?

The Video
We are going to listen to a song, which speaks of praising God even in our times of pain. As you listen, answer the questions in the Praise! Section of your Student Guide.

Play the music video for “Praise!” by Whatuprg.

Transition
Allow several students to share their answers to the questions.

• Does your prayer life become more frequent and intense during good times or bad? Why?
• Have you ever complained to God when you were going through a tough time in your life?
• Was there a time when you looked back and realized that things were not as bad as you thought?

Bible Study
Read Job 1:13-22

• How can you stay strong and faithful to God, even when facing difficult trials and challenges like Job?
• How could Job, amid so much pain and suffering, still praise God?
• What can you learn from Job’s response about the importance trusting God even during adversity?

Read Habakkuk 3:17-19

• How do these verses remind us that God is always in control, even when things seem completely chaotic?
• How can the imagery of God’s strength and power give us hope and encouragement when we feel weak or afraid?

Read Psalm 68:19

• In what ways does this passage remind us that God is always with us, even in difficult or challenging times?
• How can you trust in and rely on God when you face challenges or obstacles in your own life?

God is the God of our salvation. Saving us from our sins, alone, is enough to praise Him regardless of our current circumstances.

Read Psalm 55:22

• How can you trust in God when you are facing difficult or challenging situations in your life?
• How can the idea of casting your cares on God provide you with peace and comfort in times of stress or anxiety?

We are so focused on our current situation that we tend to not see what lies ahead…even when the end is near. In doing so we fail to remember that God will restore us and He will sustain us! Our ability to look beyond our temporary struggles to His eternal restoration is one way that He is able to sustain us through it all.

Wrap Up
“Turning my pain into praise”, as the song declares, becomes much easier when we don’t focus on the unknowns of our circumstances but instead focus on the things we do know about God!

• God doesn’t change though our circumstances change constantly.
• God will never break His promises.
• He is our Savior giving us hope in life and no fear in death.
• He will sustain us and bring us out of our suffering.

Those are things worthy of praising God 24/7/365!

Playlist
This song is featured on “The Linc: Hope; Within Difficulties” Spotify playlist – which is the perfect way to remind your students what you’ve taught them in this session. To share it with them, click the live link on the web version of this study.