Blinded by Tiny Problems | Object Lesson
This is an object lesson that can help you teach your class about how sometimes we let LITTLE things blind us to the goodness of God!
Needed: A single penny or small coin.
Lesson Setup:
This object lesson uses something small and simple—a penny—to help children understand how tiny problems can feel enormous when they take up all our focus. It’s quick, visual, and perfect for showing how perspective changes everything.
Begin by holding up the penny and explain that it represents the kinds of problems everyone faces—bad grades, arguments with friends, fear, sickness, or family struggles. These things can feel huge in the moment, but compared to God’s power and what He’s already done in our lives, they’re actually very small.
The Demonstration:
Stretch your arm out and hold the penny at a distance. As you do, describe how you can still see everything around you—the kids, the classroom, the bright colors, and even the silly outfit you’re wearing. The penny is small and doesn’t block your view.
Now, begin to slowly move the penny closer and closer to your eye until it completely fills your vision. At that point, the class will see that you can no longer see anything else. Point out that even though the penny is tiny, when it’s right in front of your eye, it hides everything else from view.
Explain that this is what happens when we focus only on our problems. We stop seeing what’s good around us—the people who care about us, the blessings we have, and all the times God has already helped us. A small problem can look huge when it’s all we think about. But when we step back and focus on God instead, we realize that He’s so much bigger than anything we’re worried about.
Bible Connection:
Use the story of Job to illustrate the point. Job went through unimaginable loss—his health, family, and possessions were all taken from him—but he didn’t let those problems block his view of God. Instead of focusing on his suffering, he chose to keep trusting and worshiping. Because of his faith, God restored him and blessed him even more in the end.
Spiritual Application:
Remind the children that life will always have challenges, but God is greater than every one of them. The goal isn’t to ignore problems or pretend they don’t exist, but to keep our eyes on something bigger—on Jesus. He has never failed, and He never will.
End the illustration by lowering the penny back down, showing that when you move your focus away from the problem, you can see everything clearly again. The problem didn’t disappear—it just stopped blocking your view. That’s what happens when we trust God. We still face hard things, but they don’t control our hearts or steal our joy.
Key Verse:
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.” — Hebrews 12:2
Encourage the children to hand their “pennies” to God—the worries, fears, and frustrations that try to take over their thoughts. When they focus on Him, their problems shrink back to their true size, and their view of God’s goodness becomes clear once again.
*Tags: Blessings, blinded by tiny problems, God is good, goodness of God, little foxes spoil the vine, pennies, penny, small problems
