• Have you ever experienced a big challenge or hard time? (Students may talk about an illness or injury, challenge at school, or hard times for their families such as the loss of a job or divorce of parents.)

Throughout our lives, we experience all kinds of hard situations. The Bible calls these “trials.”  

• Think of a trial you have experienced. What bad things happened because of this challenge? Can you think of anything good that happened as a result? (Be prepared to share your own experience with examples of good results so that students understand how to assess their own situations.)

When we overcome challenges, we demonstrate perseverance. Perseverance is “the act or power or continuing to do something in spite of difficulties.” When we have perseverance, we push through challenges and hard times to do hard things.

• Have you ever persevered through a big challenge? What happened? (Students may talk about how things got better, how they learned something, how others supported them, or how they felt God helping them.)

We are going to watch a video about a 9-year-old who has experienced some trials in his life but who has persevered. Listen for two things: 1. What challenges and hard times does he describe? 2. What helps him to persevere? Let’s watch this amazing story together!

Share the following video with your students [3:45]:
The Inspirational Story of 9-year-old Ezra Frech

What an amazing story. Were you listening carefully for our two things?

• What challenges and hard times does he describe? (Students may talk about how Ezra was born without a leg and part of his hand, how he had to have surgery, how other kids whisper and stare, how he has to work harder to play sports and has back pain, etc.)
• What helps him to persevere? (Students may say being thankful for the good things in his life, his love and passion for sports, knowing God created him this way for a reason, considering the good his disability has brought him: confidence, strength, compassion.)

Perseverance can help us to do hard things in our lives. Knowing God is in control can give us courage to not give up when the going gets tough. When God asked Moses to go before Pharaoh, Moses and his people, the Israelites, faced some major difficulties. Let’s look at what the Bible says about trusting God and pushing through hard times.

Additional Resources:
Kids definition of perseverance
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perseverance