RADIANT LIFE TEACHER GUIDE TEENS SOLUTION SUNDAY SCHOOL RESOURCE SEASON 2022 November 20 2022

*Study 3: Disappointment vs Hope: The Battle of Perspective*

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Text: Psa 42:5; Matt 11:1-6; Acts 3:1-10

*Key Verse: Psa 42:5*

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for will yet praise him. (NIV)

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*>>Focus*

Disappointments can be an opportunity for spiritual growth and victory

Before presenting this esson to your students think about the

disappointments you’ve experienced in life. What happened? What didn’t

happen? What did you learn? Are you still disappointed? Why or why not?

Once you’ve identified any unresolved disappointment, it’s possible to look

to God for genuine hope. Looking back on your disappointment gives you the perspective from which you can clearly identify God at work in the situation something you couldnt see at that time. The Bible has some

principles that will help you and your students put past disappointment in perspective and equip you to deal with present and future ones. Be honest with your students about your own struggles. Your testimony may be the most important point they’ll hear. Encourage students that even duríng most difficult times, God is still in control. Heis our hope.

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*>>The Basic Message*

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?

God-given hope is the only permanent solution to life’s disappointment.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?

Without God’s hope, the circumstances of life will stunt our spiritual growth.

HOW DO I LIVE IT?

ldentify the source of your disappointment, ask God for help, and trust His answer.

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*>>Activity Option:* The Art of Disappointment

Distribute paper and pencils to each student. Ask the students to draw a

representation of disappointment. Have them create what it looks or feel

like. They may even choose to create a representation of something

specific that disappointed them. Have volunteers share their creations and

explain them to the class.

*>>Guide:* Explain that everyone will face disappointment at some time.

Some won’t be able to overcome it, while others Will overcome through their trust in God. Simply put, Surviving disappOintment strengthens our faith.

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*>>Study Overview*

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Explain that today’s study considers:

Howa beggar and John the Baptist dealt with disappointment.

How God’s hope helps us overcome disappointment.

What we can do to deal with the disappointments of life.

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*>>Inform and Discuss*

_a. when Life Doesn’t Seem Fair_

We all find ourselves in circumstances that don’t seem fair. Some are born

with illness or situation they would have rejected if given the chance. Others feel helpless as their lives change in ways that they would rather not

experience. No matter what the source of disappointment is, believers can overcome those negative feelings.

Read or have a volunteer read Acts 3:1-5. [Guide: Explain that we can

become so accustomed to living in hardship or disappointing situations that it starts to feel natural- like nothing was ever going to change. Every other day that beggar was taken to the temple gate to ask for money. He had little or no hope that his situation would change

*>>Guide:* Ask students for suggestions of what to do when we find ourselves in similar situations – being disappointed so any times that we stop hoping for anything better. How might changing the way we think about life change a disappointing, seemingly hopeless situation?

1. What’s wrong with having low expectations? [Hint: Some argue that

having low expectations protects you from being disappointed. But it

also robs you of hope and causes you to view life from a negative

perspective.]

2. How can,we overcome this pattern? [Hint: By looking beyond our low expectations for the future, we may receive greater blessings than we wouldn’t have otherwise. We should take our eyes off our disappointments and focus them on the One who has all the answers.]

3. Read or have a volunteer read *Acts 3:6-10.* Why do people often think

that money is the answer to their problems? [Hint: Money is a way to

gain possession and power, or a means to pay others to help you. Even Christians sometimes focus on natural answers, forgetting that they serve Someone who has the power to change a situation supernaturally.]

*>>Guide:* Explain that while the beggar was looking for a natural answer to his problems, the apostles looked to Jesus for a supernatural solution. At the end, the beggar received a far greater blessing: he was healad, and he recognized God as the source of his healing. Greater blessings and comforts often follow hardship and disappointment when we ask Jesus for help.

*Ask* students to compare the response of the beggar to their response when God answers their prayers. Are they willing to accept God’s response no matter what? Do they look for a temporary fix to their problems or a permanent solution? Encourage the students to seek God with an open

mind in times of disappointment. God may choose to help them in a way they did not expect—and His way is always the best.

4. Read or have a volunteer read Psa 42:5. What are some interesting

ways to expresS your thankfulness to God? (Guide: Explain that

celebration is in order when God answers our prayers and give us

strength to overcome or live through dificult circumstances. Even while waiting for the answers, we can still give thanks for our salvation and

Our opportunity to communicate with God in prayer. This will change our

perspective as we shift our focus to God and His promises rather than

situations and disappointments.]

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_b. When You Struggle with Doubt_

John asked his disciples for help during his darkest hours-when he was in prison and his sense of purpose was replaced with doubts and disappointments.

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*>>Ministry Activity:* Letter of Love

Ask students to write their names on slips of paper. Put the girls’ names into container, and put the guys’ names into another container, separate from the girls’. Allow each student to draw a name from the container that pertains to his or her gender. Then distribute paper and pens or pencils.

Explain that they are to write a letter to the person whose name they drew.

The letter should contain a sincere compliment about the person, encouragement to show love to others, and/or a short prayer asking God to help the person show sincere love. Have students sign the letter, fold it, and write the name of the recipient on the outside. Collect the letters and hand them out for the students to take home and read.

1. Why are Christian friends so important to have when facing

disappointment? [Hint: They can be an encouragement, reminding us

of God’s love and help. It’s easier to go through difficulty when we aren’t alone.]

*>> Guide:* Explain that it’s tempting during times of trials to isolate ourselves from other believers. We may not want to expose our troubles and pains to others. But disconnecting from the community of faith is the first step toward surrendering to disappointment.

2. How does asking God for help affect a discouraging situation? Matt

11:3 [Hint: John may have wondered if everything he had said about Jesus was really true. He wanted to know for sure. He sought proof from

the Source by sending his friends to ask Jesus in person.]

*>>Guide:* Explain that turning to God with our questions is the only way to gain genuine assurance. John needed such assurance. He knew how

important it was to go to God when disappointed and discouraged. Jesus

didn’t reprimand him for lack of faith. God won’t condemn us either- when

we seek Him for assurance. He already knows how we feel, and He wants to0

answer and encourage us.

3. What are some ways you can stay connected to God during times of

disappointment? Hint: Prayer, Bible reading, attending and being

active in church, talking with Christian friends and family, worship, and

focusing on God rather than your problems are a few ways to stay

Connected.]

Read or have a volunteer read and summarize Matt 11:4-6. [Guide: Explain that Jesus didn’t explain or defend Himself to John’s disciples. He knew that John already believed in HIM and that John’s faith simply needed

encouraging. Mighty miracles and powerful preaching were the evidence that John needed-and that was what Jesus provided.]

4. Why is it important to focus on the Word of God – regardless of the

circumstances we face? [Hint: We have the Word of God (the Bible) as

source of spiritual encouragement. Trusting the Bible’s message will

sustain us during our trials.

*>>Guide:* Explain that behind every disappointment in our lives is an

opportunity for growth. It’s not uncommon to face serious discouragement

when we’re in God’s will. Satan expends great deal of energy trying to keep people from living effective Christian lives. But such attacks provide the perfect context for staying connected to God’s truth. These times are the greatest opportunities for our faith to grow.

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>>Involve Them: Disappointment Quiz

Enlarge, Reproduce, and Distribute to students copies of the following quiz, and allow them to fill out the quiz individually; then talk about their answers.

Focus on what they can do to change the way they handle disappointment

to make it a more positive experience.

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Your thoughts attitudes, and behaviour can greatly affect how well you handle disappointment.

Complete the inventory by ticking the options that define your thought/attitude; then answer the questions that follows.

Do you assume the worst in a situation?

ALWAYS

SOMETIMES

NEVER

Do you feel like nothing never really changes?

ALWAYS

SOMETIMES

NEVER

Do you feel powerless in bad situations?

ALWAYS

SOMETIMES

NEVER

Do you talk about yourself negatively?

ALWAYS

SOMETIMES

NEVER

Do you ask God for help when disappointed?

ALWAYS

SOMETIMES

NEVER

Do you feel that you are treated unfairly?

ALWAYS

SOMETIMES

NEVER

Do you feel you are disappointed more than most people?

ALWAYS

SOMETIMES

NEVER

Do you try to have a positive attitude in disappointing situations?

ALWAYS

SOMETIMES

NEVER

Do you sometime feel as though you have no one to turn to in rough situations?

ALWAYS

SOMETIMES

NEVER

Do you expect God’s help

ALWAYS

SOMETIMES

NEVER

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• What do your answers tell you about how you respond to disappointment?

• How do you think these attitudes and actions affect how you handle

disappointment?

• How can you change your attitudes and actions to better deal with

disappointment?

• How might focusing on God and your salvation help you deal with

disappointment?

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*>>lnspire Them*

Share with students “The Basic Message” of this study (pg 086), explaining WHATS the Big ldea behind the study; WHY it matters; and HOW we can live the lesson captured in this study.

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*>>Ministry Activity: Belittle or Inspire*

Read aloud this quote from Mark Twain: “Keep away from people who

belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but those who are

really great make, you feel that you too can become great. Divide the

students into small groups. Allow time for them to discuss what the quote means and to share any aspirations or disappointments they have. Have the groups pray for each other, asking Goa to nelp them aspire to greatness,

overcome their disappointments, and hold on to the hope He offers.

Conclude the study by reminding students that each time the Lord lifts us out of disappointment, it’s important to share our testimonies with others.

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*>>Ask Yourself*

1. Do students understand that God-given hope is the only solution to disappointments?

2. Do they realize that without God’s hope they are limited to how much they can grow spiritually?

3. Have they thought of ways they can handle disappointment in the future that show trust in God and the hope He has given them through a relationship with Jesus?

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*THIS PUBLICATION IS A PRODUCT OF GENERAL COUNCIL TEENS SOLUTION DEPARTMENT ASSEMBLIES OF GOD NIGERIA*