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Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen?
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Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen?

By Chris Morphew, illustrated by Emma Randall
from 1 review

Apologetics for Christian kids and tweens: why does God allow suffering?

Part of the Big Questions series.

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Description

Sooner or later, kids have big questions about God, life, faith and the Bible, especially when their friends start asking them about what they believe. A common one is: Why does God let bad things happen?

Big questions deserve good answers. This warm, reassuring and fast-paced book looks at what the Bible says to help 9-13s think through this big question for themselves. It puts the problem of suffering in the context of the Bible's big story, and encourages readers to see that whatever they're facing, Jesus is with them. Lively stories and illustrations make this book easy for this age group to engage with.

Christian studies teacher and school chaplain Chris Morphew has been answering big questions from kids in his classroom for over a decade. He has written over 20 books for children and youth, including Best News Ever, a 100-day devotional for tweens.

Emma Randall has illustrated many books, including those in the Training Young Hearts series.

Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen? is part of the Big Questions series: fun and fast-paced books walking kids aged 9-13 through what the Bible says about some of the big questions of life, and helping them to grow in confident and considered faith.

Product details

Contents

  • 1. How Could a Good God Allow So Much Suffering?
    2. Isn’t Suffering Just a Natural Part of Life?
    3. Why Is the World Like This?
    4. Where Is God When We Suffer?
    5. Why Doesn’t God Help When I Ask Him To?
    6. Does God Actually Care About My Suffering?
    7. How Can God Get Rid of Suffering Without Getting Rid of Us?
    8. Will the World Be This Way for Ever?
    9. What Difference Does Any of This Make Today?
    10. Something Better Than a Thousand Answers

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Discussion Guide

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Look Inside

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Specification

Age range: 9+
Contributors Chris Morphew, Emma Randall
ISBN 9781784986124
Format Paperback
First published May 2021
Dimensions 128mm x 198mm x 8mm
Weight 0.11 kg
Print size 11.0pt
Language English
Pages 96
Publisher The Good Book Company
Endorsements

Colin Buchanan

Christian Children's Recording artist and author, Sydney, Australia

Bad things happen all around us every day. Perhaps bad things are happening to you or someone you love right now, and you’re asking why a good God who is in control of all things doesn’t just stop all the badness. Well, I think you’ve found your next book to read right here. Reading a Chris Morphew book is like sitting with a friend with an open Bible between you, asking all the tough questions that are on your heart and getting solid, straight, honest answers that line up with God’s word—answers that bring you to the light and hope and truth of Jesus. I love friends like that!

Joni Eareckson Tada

Joni and Friends International Disability Center

When pain and disappointment hit hard, even young hearts seek to understand why. Chris Morphew has responded to the age-old question in his excellent little book This small but powerful volume certainly would have helped me when I broke my neck at an early age­—I was desperate to make sense of it all as I searched the Bible for answers. Thankfully, Morphew’s book addresses the tough topic about God’s goodness in a world of great suffering, and he does it in a winsome, easy-to-read way. Yes, it’s for young people, but I’m recommending it to people of all ages—and I commend this remarkable book to you!

Natasha Moore

Research Fellow, Centre for Public Christianity

Chris is the teacher you wish you had. He gets where you’re coming from and takes your questions—and you—seriously. If this is your question, or if you just want to know more about God and the meaning of life, this is the book for you.

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Independent reviews
 

I wish that I could have had this book when I was around 9-13.

Bella Schroeder, 31 May 2021

Being a teen, I did not feel that this book was even childish for me. I learned so much in the few pages that it contained. I think my favorite part of this book was when Morphew said; “that the problem in Eden was not the fact that Eve ate the fruit, but it was the choice she made.” He said this because true love is a choice, isn’t it? This was such an amazing read.

Highly recommended!

Diane Stortz, 10 Jun 2021

The Big Questions series for middle graders respects their questions and offers answers with respect too. Throughout the series, the author (a teacher and school chaplain) connects with young readers with a conversational tone, excellent examples to explain his points, and—perhaps most important—a deep understanding of their questions.... continue reading

Customer reviews


11 Jul 2022

“Rich truths for young hearts”

It’s so tempting to avoid talking about suffering to ‘protect’ our youngsters, or to offer a fairytale like one liner. But they suffer, their friends suffer and they deserve a big answer. Utterly readable, deeply moving and profoundly true - this book takes young people through God’s story and reveals the God who is good enough, powerful enough and who loves us enough to be moved by our suffering and to do something about our suffering. Oh, and adults - worth a read too!

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Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen? | Chris Morphew, Emma Randall |
$19.99