Leader’s guide · 12 weeks

Leader’s guide: The Life of Trust (For Children)

George Müller

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Using this guide with a class? See Ochorus for schools or homeschool families

Cover of The Life of Trust (For Children)

This guide walks a Sunday school class, homeschool group or family through “The Life of Trust (For Children)” in twelve weeks, one chapter a week. It tells the true story of George Müller, who cared for thousands of orphans in England by asking no one but God for what they needed. It works for a small family around the table or a class of up to twenty, and suits ages 6–12.

Each session takes about 30 minutes. Welcome everyone and say the memory verse together (3 minutes). Read the chapter aloud (5–7 minutes). Talk together using the chapter’s three questions (5–10 minutes). Do the activity (10 minutes). Close by praying the chapter’s prayer, or your own (2 minutes).

To prepare, read the chapter yourself beforehand and have paper, pencils and crayons ready; none of the activities use food. The story is full of children without a mother or father, and some children in your group may be fostered, adopted, or living without a parent, so speak warmly and matter-of-factly about the orphans, never ask anyone about their own family, and keep coming back to the book’s own point: God sees every child, cares for every child, and is never late.

Week 1 — The Coin in the Shoe

As a boy, George Müller stole from his father and hid a coin in his shoe; as he grew older he told lies, spent money he didn’t have, and at sixteen was even put in prison for a while. The story begins with all these wrong things because it makes what God did next so wonderful. Keep any talk about wrongdoing general, and never ask a child to say aloud what they have done wrong. The big idea: nobody is too bad for God, because God loves to change hearts.

“All of us, like sheep, have wandered away.” — from Isaiah 53

Memory verse

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:6

Talk together

  1. Where did young George hide the coin he took from his father?

    He hid it under his foot, inside his shoe. When his father counted the money and searched him, the coin was found there.

  2. Why does George’s story begin with all the wrong things he did?

    Because it makes the rest so wonderful: God was not finished with George, and God can change a boy who lies and steals completely.

  3. Have you ever felt too naughty for God to love you? What does George’s story say about that?

    The chapter’s point: nobody is too bad for God. God loves to change hearts, and he can make our hearts good and clean.

Activity

A Heart Made New

You will need: Paper and crayons

  1. Fold a sheet of paper in half like a card.
  2. On the outside, draw a grey, scribbly cloud to stand for the wrong things we all do. You do not need to write what they are.
  3. Open the card and draw a big, bright heart on the inside.
  4. Write “God loves to change hearts” under the heart, and take the card home.

Pray

Dear God, thank you that you can change anyone, even me. Please make my heart good and clean. Amen.

Read chapter 1

Week 2 — The Open Door

As a young man, George went shyly with a friend to a house where Christians met to read the Bible, sing and pray, and for the first time he saw a man kneel to pray. The kind host told him, “Come as often as you please. My house and my heart are open to you,” and George went home peaceful and happy, the turning point of his life. The big idea: God’s heart is open to us, and we never have to be good enough first; we just have to come.

“While he was still far away, his father saw him and ran to him.” — from Luke 15

Memory verse

He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Luke 15:20

Talk together

  1. What did George see at the Christians’ house that he had never seen before?

    A man got down on his knees to pray. George had never seen anyone kneel to pray, and it moved him deep in his heart.

  2. What kind words did the man of the house say to George?

    He said, “Come as often as you please. My house and my heart are open to you.” George went home peaceful and happy.

  3. Do you have to be good enough before you can come to God?

    The chapter’s point: God is like that kind man at the door, only far kinder. His heart is open to you, and you just have to come.

Activity

The Open Door

You will need: Paper and crayons

  1. Fold both sides of a sheet of paper in towards the middle so they make two doors that open.
  2. Draw handles and decorations on the outside of the doors.
  3. Open the doors and draw a warm, bright room inside with a welcome mat.
  4. Write “Come as often as you please” inside, and remember that God’s door is always open to you.

Pray

Dear God, thank you that your heart is always open to me. I want to come to you. Amen.

Read chapter 2

Week 3 — Praying His Friends to Tears

George told two old friends about God, but they shrugged and said they didn’t feel they were sinners. Unable to change their minds, he knelt and prayed for them, then kept praying in his bedroom, and when he came back both friends were crying and said they needed God too. The big idea: when we can’t change something ourselves, we can pray, and God can.

“Pray for one another.” — from James 5

Memory verse

Jesus, looking at them, said, with men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.

Mark 10:27

Talk together

  1. What did George’s two friends say when he told them about God?

    They shrugged and said they didn’t feel they were sinners or had done anything that needed forgiving.

  2. What did George do when he couldn’t make his friends understand?

    He knelt and prayed for them, then kept praying in his bedroom. When he came back, both friends were crying and said they needed God too.

  3. Is there someone you wish knew God? What could we do for them?

    The chapter’s point: we don’t have to make anyone believe. When we can’t change something ourselves, we can pray, and God can.

Activity

My Prayer Bookmark

You will need: Paper and pencils or crayons

  1. Fold a sheet of paper in half lengthways, and then in half lengthways again, to make a long, thin bookmark.
  2. Write “I can’t, but God can” at the top and decorate the edges.
  3. Underneath, write or draw one or two people you would love to know God. Nobody else needs to see.
  4. Keep the bookmark in a book you read often, and pray for those people each time you see it.

Pray

Dear God, please help the people I love to know you. I can’t do it, but you can. Amen.

Read chapter 3

Week 4 — No More Wages, Only God

As a grown-up preacher, George stopped taking wages and made a firm rule: he would never ask anyone for money, only God. When he and his wife were down to a few coins, they knelt and told God, and a few hours later a woman came to the door with money she said God had put in her heart to give two weeks earlier. The big idea: God knows what we need before we ask, so we can tell him about anything and trust him to take care of us.

“My God will supply everything you need.” — from Philippians 4

Memory verse

My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:19

Talk together

  1. What was George’s firm rule about money after he stopped taking wages?

    He would never ask a single person for money. He would only ask God and tell his needs to nobody else.

  2. What was so wonderful about the woman who came to the door with money?

    She said God had put it in her heart to give two weeks earlier, so God started the answer before George had even prayed. George had never told her of their need.

  3. What things could you tell God about today?

    The chapter’s point: God knows exactly what you need before you ask. You can tell him about anything and trust him to take care of you.

Activity

Needs and Wants

You will need: Nothing

  1. Explain that a need is something we truly must have, and a want is something nice we would like.
  2. Call out things one at a time, such as a warm coat, a new toy, a bed to sleep in, a bigger bike, friends, a video game. Children stand up for a need and stay sitting for a want.
  3. When a few disagree, stop and talk about it kindly; there is not always one right answer.
  4. Finish by saying the memory verse together: God promises to supply every need.

Pray

Dear God, thank you that you already know what I need. Help me to trust you and tell you everything. Amen.

Read chapter 4

Week 5 — A Knock at the Door

One Sunday George and his wife had only a few pennies and barely enough bread for the day, so George asked God very simply for bread for that evening. While he was still praying, a poor woman knocked at the door with some of her own dinner and a little money, and later she came back with a big loaf. The big idea: Jesus taught us to ask for our daily bread, and God cares about ordinary, everyday needs.

“Give us today our daily bread.” — from Matthew 6

Memory verse

Give us this day our daily bread.

Matthew 6:11

Talk together

  1. What simple thing did George ask God for that Sunday?

    He asked God to send them some bread for that evening, because there was barely enough in the house for the day and no money to buy more.

  2. What happened while George was still praying?

    There was a knock at the door. A poor woman brought some of her own dinner and a little money, and later came back with a big loaf of bread.

  3. Does God care about ordinary things like our supper? What could you ask him for?

    The chapter’s point: Jesus taught us to ask for our “daily bread.” God cares about all of it, even bread for supper, so we can ask him for everyday needs.

Activity

God in My Everyday

You will need: Paper and crayons

  1. Fold a sheet of paper in half and then in half again, and open it out to show four boxes.
  2. Label the boxes Morning, Daytime, Afternoon and Bedtime.
  3. In each box, draw one ordinary thing you could ask God to help with at that time of day, like getting ready, a test, playing with friends or sleeping well.
  4. Hold up your pictures and pray together: “Please give us what we need today.”

Pray

Dear God, thank you that you care about even the small, everyday things. Please give me what I need today. Amen.

Read chapter 5

Week 6 — Open Your Mouth Wide

After reading about a man who built an orphan home by trusting God, George began to pray about starting one himself and found the words “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” He asked God for a house, a large sum of money and kind helpers; the first gift was a single shilling, then came a wardrobe, a helper, and a couple who would care for the children for no pay, until the home opened with seventeen children. Speak of the orphans simply as children who needed a home and people to care for them. The big idea: God is big enough for anything, so we can bring him our biggest hopes.

“Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.” — from Psalm 81

Memory verse

I am the LORD, your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

Psalm 81:10

Talk together

  1. What big idea grew in George’s heart after he read about a man long ago?

    To start a home for orphans, children with no mother or father, just by trusting God as that man had.

  2. What three big things did George ask God for?

    A house for the children, a large sum of money, and kind people to look after them. Little by little God filled every need, and seventeen children moved in.

  3. What is a big hope you could bring to God?

    The chapter’s point: “Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it” means God is big enough for anything, so we can bring him our biggest hopes and trust him.

Activity

Little by Little

You will need: Nothing

  1. Sit in a circle. The first child says, “God sent George a shilling.”
  2. The next child repeats it and adds the next gift: “God sent George a shilling and a wardrobe.”
  3. Keep going round, each child repeating the list and adding one more thing, such as a helper, a kind couple, a house, or anything good you can think of.
  4. When the list gets too long to remember, everyone shouts together, “Little by little, God filled every need!”

Pray

Dear God, you are big enough for anything. Help me to bring you my biggest hopes, and to trust you with them. Amen.

Read chapter 6

Week 7 — The Girl Who Gave Everything

A poor young woman who sewed clothes for a few pennies a week was given a large sum of money; she paid her debts, gave a share to her mother, and brought one hundred pounds to George for the orphans. When George checked she really meant it, she said, “The Lord Jesus gave his last drop of blood for me. Should I not give him this?” and went quietly back to her plain clothes and her sewing. The big idea: you don’t have to be rich to give; a heart that loves Jesus gives cheerfully and quietly.

“God loves a cheerful giver.” — from 2 Corinthians 9

Memory verse

Let each man give according as he has determined in his heart; not grudgingly, or under compulsion; for God loves a cheerful giver.

2 Corinthians 9:7

Talk together

  1. What did the young woman who sewed clothes do with the money she was given?

    She paid off old debts, gave a share to her mother, and brought one hundred pounds to George for the orphans.

  2. Why did she say she wanted to give so much?

    She said, “The Lord Jesus gave his last drop of blood for me. Should I not give him this?” She loved Jesus, so giving made her happy.

  3. What could you give, quietly and cheerfully, to someone who needs it?

    The chapter’s point: you don’t have to be rich to be a giver, just have a loving heart. She kept her giving a secret and gave cheerfully.

Activity

A Secret Giver’s Card

You will need: Paper and crayons

  1. Fold a sheet of paper in half to make a card.
  2. Draw something cheerful on the front, like a sun, flowers or a rainbow.
  3. Inside, write a kind message such as “Someone is thankful for you,” but do not sign your name.
  4. Think of someone to give it to this week, at home, at school or at church, and leave it for them secretly.

Pray

Dear God, thank you for giving me Jesus. Make me a happy, secret giver, like that kind woman. Amen.

Read chapter 7

Week 8 — The Baker's Present

As more children came to the homes, there were mornings when the food nearly ran out; once the cook had only two small coins and could not buy both bread and meat, when the baker knocked and left three big loaves as a present. Looking back, George wrote that help always came before there was real hunger, and God was never late. The chapter calls God “a father to the fatherless.” Some children in your group may be fostered, adopted or without a parent, so say gently that God is a loving Father to every child, whoever looks after them, and don’t ask about anyone’s home. The big idea: God is a good Father who sees what we need and is never late.

“He is a father to the fatherless.” — from Psalm 68

Memory verse

A father of the fatherless, and a defender of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.

Psalm 68:5

Talk together

  1. Why was the cook worried that morning?

    There was only food for that day, and she had two small coins left. She wondered whether to buy bread or meat, because there wasn’t enough for both.

  2. What did the baker bring, and why was it a surprise?

    He hadn’t come to be paid but to give. He left three big loaves of fresh bread as a present.

  3. What does it mean that God is “a father to the fatherless”? How is he a Father to you?

    The chapter’s point: God is like a good, loving dad. He sees what you need, he never forgets you, and he is never late.

Activity

Held in God’s Hand

You will need: Paper and pencils or crayons

  1. Place one hand flat on a sheet of paper and trace around it with a pencil (a neighbour can help).
  2. Write your name in the middle of the hand.
  3. Around the outside, write “God is never late” and “God never forgets me,” and colour the hand in.
  4. Take it home as a reminder that you are held safe by a loving Father.

Pray

Dear God, thank you for being a loving Father who never forgets me. Help me trust that you are always right on time. Amen.

Read chapter 8

Week 9 — Three Sacks of Potatoes

One morning there was hardly anything in the house, so George went to pray, and while he was still praying a message came that a lady had sent three sacks of potatoes. Another time a man in the street gave him money for the orphans; half a minute later and George would have missed him. The big idea: God sends what we need at exactly the right minute, so we can wait for him and not worry.

“Before they call, I will answer.” — from Isaiah 65

Memory verse

It shall happen that, before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.

Isaiah 65:24

Talk together

  1. What arrived at the door while George was praying at about ten o’clock?

    A message that a lady had ordered three whole sacks of potatoes to be sent to the orphan homes, at just the right moment.

  2. What happened when George met a man in the street?

    The man gave him money for the orphans. If George had walked by even half a minute later, he would have missed him.

  3. Is anything too small for God to take care of? What could we stop worrying about?

    The chapter’s point: God sends what we need at exactly the right minute. Nothing is too small for him, so we can wait for him and not worry.

Activity

Right on Time

You will need: Nothing (a watch or clock for the leader)

  1. Everyone sits down and closes their eyes.
  2. When the leader says “Go,” count silently in your head and stand up when you think exactly 20 seconds have passed.
  3. The leader watches the clock and tells everyone who stood up closest to the right time. Try it once more.
  4. Talk about how hard it is to get timing just right, and how God always does: he is never too early and never too late.

Pray

Dear God, thank you that you know the perfect time for everything. Help me to wait for you and not to worry. Amen.

Read chapter 9

Week 10 — Milk for Breakfast

The orphans had porridge with milk each morning, but one evening there was no money to pay the milkman who would come before eight. At six o’clock George and two helpers knelt to ask God, and they had only just stood up when a letter arrived with a gift from someone who wrote, “I love to send these little gifts. They so often come just at the right time.” The big idea: God loves to answer prayer, even before morning comes, and those who seek him will not miss out on the good things they truly need.

“Those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” — from Psalm 34

Memory verse

The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger, but those who seek the LORD shall not lack any good thing.

Psalm 34:10

Talk together

  1. Why did George and his helpers need to pray that evening?

    There was almost no milk, and the milkman was coming early next morning with no money to pay him for the children’s porridge.

  2. What arrived just after they got up off their knees?

    A letter with a gift for the orphans. The sender wrote, “I love to send these little gifts. They so often come just at the right time.”

  3. What could you trust God with tonight, before morning comes?

    The chapter’s point: God loves to answer prayers, even before the sun comes up. Those who seek him will not miss out on the good things they truly need.

Activity

Moon and Sun Prayer Card

You will need: Paper and crayons

  1. Fold a sheet of paper in half.
  2. On one half, draw a moon and stars, and write “Tonight I trust God with…” Then draw or write one thing you will pray about at bedtime.
  3. On the other half, draw a rising sun and write “Good morning, God. Thank you for…”
  4. Take the card home, and look at the moon side tonight and the sun side in the morning.

Pray

Dear God, thank you that you answer prayers, even before morning comes. I will trust you with tomorrow. Amen.

Read chapter 10

Week 11 — The Bank That Cannot Break

Visitors to the boys’ home were amazed at how well the children were cared for and assumed there must be plenty of money in the bank. The woman who ran the home, though there was hardly any money just then, answered, “Our money is kept in a bank that cannot break,” meaning God himself; the gentleman gave five pounds, which arrived just when George had not a penny left. The big idea: money can run out, but God never does, and the treasure we store with him can never be lost.

“Store up treasure in heaven, where nothing is ever lost.” — from Matthew 6

Memory verse

But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal.

Matthew 6:20

Talk together

  1. What did the visitors think the orphan home must have?

    They thought it must have a big pile of money saved up in the bank, a good stock of funds.

  2. What did the woman mean by “a bank that cannot break”?

    She meant God himself. Ordinary banks can run out, but God never runs out and never lets his people down.

  3. What are some treasures that can never be lost?

    The chapter’s point: money can be lost or spent, but the good things you do for God and your trust in him are stored up where nothing can break.

Activity

Treasure That Cannot Break

You will need: Paper and crayons

  1. Draw a big treasure chest with its lid open.
  2. Fill the chest with treasures that can never be lost, such as God’s love, kindness, prayer, friendship with Jesus and helping others.
  3. Outside the chest, draw a few things that can break or run out, like money, toys or shoes.
  4. Write “My treasure is safe with God” across the top, and share one treasure from your chest with a neighbour.

Pray

Dear God, you never run out and you never fail. Help me to keep my treasure safe with you. Amen.

Read chapter 11

Week 12 — A House on the Hill, Built by Prayer

George decided to build one great house on a hill for three hundred children, paid for only by prayer. On the thirty-sixth day of praying a thousand pounds arrived, an architect he had never met offered to plan the building for free, and the owner of a field on Ashley Down woke at three in the morning and decided to sell it to George for far less than he had planned. In time great houses stood on that hill full of hundreds of children, every brick built by prayer. The big idea: God can do more than we dream, so keep praying and wait for him patiently.

“Let patience finish its work.” — from James 1

Memory verse

Let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

James 1:4

Talk together

  1. How did George plan to pay for the big house for three hundred children?

    The same way as always, only by praying. On the thirty-sixth day of praying, a gift of one thousand pounds arrived.

  2. Why did the owner of the field on Ashley Down decide to sell it?

    He woke at three in the morning with his mind full of that field, and decided to sell it to George for far less than he had planned.

  3. What is something we could keep praying about, even if we have to wait?

    The chapter’s point: God can do more than we ever dream. Keep praying, wait patiently, and watch what he can build.

Activity

Built by Prayer

You will need: A large sheet of paper and crayons

  1. Draw a big hill across a large sheet of paper and the outline of a great house on top.
  2. Each child draws one brick on the house and writes or draws inside it something we can keep praying about, such as a friend, our church or someone who is ill.
  3. Keep adding bricks until the house is full.
  4. Stand around the picture and pray together for the things in the bricks, asking God to help you keep praying and keep waiting.

Pray

Dear God, you can do great big things. Teach me to keep praying and to wait for you patiently. Amen.

Read chapter 12