2 Corinthians 12
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Paul had a hurt. A little thorn, deep inside.
Not a thorn from a plant. A hurt that stayed. It hurt every day.
Paul asked God: "Please take it away." He asked one time.
He asked two times. He asked three times.
Did God take it away? No. God said something else.
God said: "My grace is enough for you." Soft words. Kind words.
God said: "I am strong when you are weak."
What Does This Mean?
Paul still had his thorn. It still hurt.
But Paul was not sad about it anymore. Do you know why?
Because God was close to him. Very close.
When Paul felt small, God felt big. When Paul was weak, God was strong.
Paul even said: "I am glad for my weak places." That is strange, isn't it?
But it was true. God's strength fit best in Paul's empty, hurting places.
Like water fits best in an empty cup.
The Common Thread
God's power lives near Jesus. Jesus was weak too, once.
He was tired. He got hurt. He even died.
But God's power was there, right in that weak place. Right in that hurting place.
God made Jesus alive again. Strong again.
So when we are small, or scared, or hurt, Jesus understands. He was there too.
And God's strong power comes close, just like it did for Paul.
For You
Do you ever feel small? Maybe you cannot reach the shelf.
Maybe you fall down and it hurts. Maybe you are scared of the dark.
You can tell God about it, just like Paul did.
You can say: "God, I am small. Please help me."
And God says the same soft words to you. "My grace is enough for you."
That means: God is enough. He is close. He is strong for you.
Talk About It
When did you feel small today? Did you tell God about it?
What does it mean that God is strong when we are weak?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Sometimes I feel small. Sometimes it hurts.
Thank You that You are strong for me.
Stay close to me, today and always.
Amen.
What others discovered
Paul has spent chapters defending himself, and he knows how it looks. So he stops and says it plainly: "all things, beloved, are for your edifying." Notice the word beloved, dropped right in the middle of a hard conversation. Ask yourself whose building up you have in mind the next time you defend yourself. Is anyone stronger when you finish speaking?
Paul refused to take their money so no one could call him a burden, and they still whispered that he had an angle: "being crafty, I caught you with deception." Love given freely can still be read as a scheme. If your kindest act has been twisted by someone, you stand in good company. Give anyway.
Paul writes, "I know a man in Christ, fourteen years ago (whether in the body, I don't know, or whether out of the body, I don't know; God knows), such a one caught up into the third heaven." Notice he speaks of himself in the third person. The greatest moment of his life, and he almost hides it. Fourteen years he carried this quietly. What would you have done with it?
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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