Book Summary

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 Diary of a Disciple.

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.

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

ENDORSEMENTS

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!

Barbara Reaoch
Former Director, Children's Division, Bible Study Fellowship; Author, A Jesus Christmas
Suffering, sickness, betrayal, racism, war—all make us ask, ‘Why is our world so broken?’ Chris Morphew gives us gospel responses—not just to answer the questions in our heads but to address the issues in our hearts.

Champ Thornton
Pastor; Author, The Radical Book for Kids and Why Do We Say Good Night?
Chris Morphew is like Tim Keller for teens. In this short book, he tackles some of today’s tough questions with Scripture, wisdom and clarity—and just the right amount of fun to keep young readers turning the page. I cannot wait to put this book into the hands of my three children.

Natasha Moore
Research Fellow, Center 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.

Tamar Pollard
Director for Families, Children and Youth Ministry, Grace Community Church, Bedford
What an excellent series—seriously excellent! I am certain Chris Morphew’s chatty style, clear explanations, relevant illustrations and personal insights will engage, inform and equip tweens as they work through some of the big questions they and their peers will be asking.

Colin Buchanan
Singer / Songwriter
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!