7.12.26 – Kidz Study Guide

by | Jul 13, 2026 | Sermon Study Guide

Print Kidz Study Guide

 

THE WILDERNESS – Choosing Jesus in the Dry Places

Message from Mona DeVous

 

OVERVIEW

Sometimes life feels hard. We may feel lonely, scared, sad, or like God is far away.

Mona taught that the Bible often describes hard and dry seasons as the wilderness. Even when we do not feel God’s presence, we should keep choosing Him.

David was in the wilderness, but he continued to seek God. He praised God, remembered His faithfulness, and trusted His promises.

Jesus also went into the wilderness. When Satan tempted Him, Jesus answered with God’s Word every time.

When we do not feel close to God, we especially need to read the Bible, pray, worship, and trust Him. We also need people who will encourage us and help us follow Jesus. God did not make us to walk through hard times alone.

“When we don’t feel Him, we especially need to read the Word.” — Mona DeVous

HOW TO USE THIS STUDY GUIDE

Read About It → Talk About It → Think About It

Open your Bible and read the verses together.

Look for the answers in the Bible before talking about the questions. God’s Word tells us what is true.

Ask Jesus to help you choose Him, trust His Word, and stay close to His family during hard times.

You can use this study guide on your own with Jesus, with your family, or with your Roads Group. The format follows the previous Kidz Study Guide while using only Mona’s sermon content.

 📖 MEMORY VERSE

“You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13

 

BIG WORDS

  • Wilderness = A hard or dry season when we learn to depend on God.
  • Depend = To trust God and rely on Him.
  • Communion = Being close to Jesus and spending time with Him.
  • Temptation = Something that tries to lead us away from obeying God.
  • Isolation = Pulling away from people who can help and encourage us.
  • Faithful = Always trustworthy and true.

 

SECTION 1 — THE WILDERNESS DRAWS US CLOSER TO GOD

BIG IDEA

Even in hard times, I should keep seeking God.

READ ABOUT IT

Psalm 63:1–8

TALK ABOUT IT

  1. What did David thirst and long for?
  2. What did David look for in God’s sanctuary?
  3. What did David say was better than life?
  4. How did David choose to praise and bless God?
  5. What did David remember during the night?
  6. Who held David up while he was in the wilderness?

THINK ABOUT IT

  • When life is hard, do I seek Jesus first?
  • How can I spend time with Jesus this week?
  • What is one reason I can praise God today?

Further Scripture Reading – Psalm 42:1–2

 

SECTION 2 — THE WILDERNESS CHANGES US

BIG IDEA

God can use hard times to show me what is in my heart and teach me to depend on Him.

READ ABOUT IT

Deuteronomy 8:2, Psalm 139:23–24, Jeremiah 29:13

TALK ABOUT IT

  1. According to Deuteronomy 8:2, why did God lead Israel through the wilderness?
  2. What did God want to know about His people?
  3. According to Psalm 139:23–24, what did David ask God to search?
  4. What did David ask God to show him?
  5. What did David ask God to lead him in?
  6. According to Jeremiah 29:13, when will people find God?

THINK ABOUT IT

  • Is there something in my heart that I need to talk to God about?
  • Am I depending on God or trying to do everything by myself?
  • How can I seek God with my whole heart this week?

Further Scripture Reading – James 1:2–4

 

SECTION 3 — CHOOSE GOD’S WORD OVER YOUR FEELINGS

BIG IDEA

God’s Word is true even when my feelings change.

READ ABOUT IT

Matthew 4:1–11, 1 Thessalonians 5:24

TALK ABOUT IT

  1. According to Matthew 4:1, who led Jesus into the wilderness?
  2. What did Jesus say each time Satan tempted Him?
  3. What words did Jesus repeat when He answered Satan?
  4. Who did Jesus say we should worship and serve?
  5. What happened after Jesus continued to answer with God’s Word?
  6. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:24, what is true about the God who calls us?

THINK ABOUT IT

  • Do I let my feelings decide what I believe?
  • What Bible truth can I remember when life feels hard?
  • How can reading the Bible help me choose Jesus?

Further Scripture Reading – Psalm 119:105

 

SECTION 4 — DON’T WALK THROUGH THE WILDERNESS ALONE

BIG IDEA

God wants His family to help and encourage one another.

READ ABOUT IT

Ecclesiastes 4:9–10, 1 Thessalonians 5:11

TALK ABOUT IT

  1. According to Ecclesiastes 4:9, why are two people better than one?
  2. What can one person do when the other person falls?
  3. What warning is given about someone who falls while alone?
  4. According to 1 Thessalonians 5:11, what should believers do for one another?
  5. Why is it important to have people who help us follow Jesus?
  6. Who has God placed in your life to encourage and help you?

THINK ABOUT IT

  • Am I letting other people help and encourage me?
  • Is there someone I can encourage this week?
  • How can I be a helpful part of God’s family?

Further Scripture Reading – Hebrews 10:24–25

 


FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT

The wilderness is not a time to give up.
Choose Jesus. Read His Word. Trust His promises. Stay close to your church family. Even when you do not feel Him, Jesus is faithful.

 

✏️ ACTIVITY — MY WILDERNESS TOOLKIT

Draw a backpack. Inside the backpack, draw or write five things that can help you choose and stay close to Jesus during hard times.
Ideas:  God’s Word, Prayer, Worship, Faith, Church family, Remembering what God has done
Then write this sentence underneath:  “I choose Jesus, even in the dry places.”