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Big Questions
Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen?:
Answers to tough questions that help 9-13s grow in confident and considered faith.
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 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.
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 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.
96 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2021
8 people are currently reading
71 people want to read
About the author
Chris Morphew
36 books152 followersChris Morphew is an author, teacher, and school chaplain living in Sydney, Australia.
He has written twelve books for the best-selling Zac Power series, as well as his own six-book young adult series, The Phoenix Files. He’s also co-written The Gateway, an eight-book series for primary school kids about a hotel for aliens, alongside Rowan McAuley and David Harding.
His latest books are Best News Ever, a 100-day guide to the Gospel of Mark, and The Big Questions, a series of short books answer tough questions about life and faith.
Chris enjoys Mario Kart, obscure board games, and superhero movies, and has been told he looks like Chris Hemsworth from the back.
He has written twelve books for the best-selling Zac Power series, as well as his own six-book young adult series, The Phoenix Files. He’s also co-written The Gateway, an eight-book series for primary school kids about a hotel for aliens, alongside Rowan McAuley and David Harding.
His latest books are Best News Ever, a 100-day guide to the Gospel of Mark, and The Big Questions, a series of short books answer tough questions about life and faith.
Chris enjoys Mario Kart, obscure board games, and superhero movies, and has been told he looks like Chris Hemsworth from the back.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 19, 2025
I would add to the title… to innocent children who have not sinned… if I could. But he offers an answer. First, he said that a suffered death by a child isn’t the end and that going to heaven is the happy end. But at the end of the book, he honestly says he doesn’t know why a loving God lets bad things happen. I’ll rate the book a 4 just because it makes you think about these unanswerable questions. And I don’t want God mad at me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2025
This is one of Morphew's best! Such a solid read for teens and pre-teens. Just love this author and how he is so authentic and accessible. ~Jen
May 27, 2021
Chris Morphew, a teacher and school chaplain from Australia, has written a series of short books to answer kids' common questions about Christianity. Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen? addresses a question essential to people's emotional lives and endurance in the faith, and Morphew writes in an engaging, conversational, and sympathetic style, explaining complex ideas in a kid-friendly way without oversimplifying his answers or making light of the profound pain that leads people to struggle with this part of their faith.
I was about twelve when I started looking for an answer to this question. Even though I had lived a very sheltered and privileged life, my mental health fell apart in absolutely terrifying ways, and I started reading books like this to try to understand what was going on and why God would let this happen when I was trying to follow Him. The highest praise I can give to this book is that I would have found it helpful then. Morphew doesn't assume that children's suffering is limited to bad grades or friendship stress, and he writes in a way that can help and encourage kids no matter how trivial or dire their circumstances are.
The different chapters address questions like how a good God can allow suffering, why the world is like this, why God doesn't help us when we ask him to, whether He cares, if the world will be like this forever, how God can get rid of suffering without getting rid of all of us, and what difference our theology of suffering can make today, while we are still hurting. Morphew is honest about what we don't know, but he provides biblical answers to each chapter's core question, with insightful illustrations from Scripture and examples from real life. One recurring example is about how one of his young students died of cancer, and he writes about what it was like to attend her funeral, try to support her family, and help the rest of the class process that tragedy. Because of those experiences, he is uniquely able to write this book.
Morphew covers a lot of information in about eighty pages, and his writing is faithful to the Bible and sympathetic towards hurting kids. This is an excellent resource for families, Christian schools, and church groups, and even though the publisher is marketing this book for kids from ages nine to thirteen, the age range is flexible. Older teenagers who are reluctant readers will find this book's brevity and conversational style appealing, and there is no content in this book that would make it inaccessible or inappropriate for younger kids, as long as they are ready for the heavy topic. The wide age range suitability would make this an excellent choice for a family read-aloud together, and it can encourage and help adults as well.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I was about twelve when I started looking for an answer to this question. Even though I had lived a very sheltered and privileged life, my mental health fell apart in absolutely terrifying ways, and I started reading books like this to try to understand what was going on and why God would let this happen when I was trying to follow Him. The highest praise I can give to this book is that I would have found it helpful then. Morphew doesn't assume that children's suffering is limited to bad grades or friendship stress, and he writes in a way that can help and encourage kids no matter how trivial or dire their circumstances are.
The different chapters address questions like how a good God can allow suffering, why the world is like this, why God doesn't help us when we ask him to, whether He cares, if the world will be like this forever, how God can get rid of suffering without getting rid of all of us, and what difference our theology of suffering can make today, while we are still hurting. Morphew is honest about what we don't know, but he provides biblical answers to each chapter's core question, with insightful illustrations from Scripture and examples from real life. One recurring example is about how one of his young students died of cancer, and he writes about what it was like to attend her funeral, try to support her family, and help the rest of the class process that tragedy. Because of those experiences, he is uniquely able to write this book.
Morphew covers a lot of information in about eighty pages, and his writing is faithful to the Bible and sympathetic towards hurting kids. This is an excellent resource for families, Christian schools, and church groups, and even though the publisher is marketing this book for kids from ages nine to thirteen, the age range is flexible. Older teenagers who are reluctant readers will find this book's brevity and conversational style appealing, and there is no content in this book that would make it inaccessible or inappropriate for younger kids, as long as they are ready for the heavy topic. The wide age range suitability would make this an excellent choice for a family read-aloud together, and it can encourage and help adults as well.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 31, 2021
I wish that I could have had this book when I was around 9-13. This book would have answered a lot of questions that plagued my mind. As much as I tried to find some answers to most of my questions, there were some that my parents, those around me, and even books could not answer. You see when kids hit around 9-13 they are at a hard age. They no longer can sit through a child's book, because it simply takes everything too lightly, and an adult's book simply is too hard to grasp the complicated language.
You see when I was around that age, I had parents who were Christians. They constantly poured the word into my heart, but you see sometimes no matter how hard they tried, there were just some questions that they were not sure how to answer. If this series would have been around a couple of years back, I probably would have read and reread this series. There were so many good points made in this book that would have changed my walk with the Lord.
When I started reading this book, I immediately saw that this book was made for the ages 9-13. There was no question that the author knew how to talk in a way that was not talking down to the audience, but rather he walked alongside his reader. It was amazing to be able to be a part of reading this book. Being a teen, I did not feel that this book was even childish for me. I learned so much in the few pages that it contained.
I think my favorite part of this book was when Morphew said; "that the problem in Eden was not the fact that Eve ate the fruit, but it was the choice she made." He said this because true love is a choice, isn't it? This was such an amazing read. I think that out of all three books this was my favorite. Maybe it is because of the fact I struggled most with this question. Or maybe because the way how we went throughout the whole Bible in a unique way perfectly helped answer this question.
I received this book in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts are my own and not paid for.
You see when I was around that age, I had parents who were Christians. They constantly poured the word into my heart, but you see sometimes no matter how hard they tried, there were just some questions that they were not sure how to answer. If this series would have been around a couple of years back, I probably would have read and reread this series. There were so many good points made in this book that would have changed my walk with the Lord.
When I started reading this book, I immediately saw that this book was made for the ages 9-13. There was no question that the author knew how to talk in a way that was not talking down to the audience, but rather he walked alongside his reader. It was amazing to be able to be a part of reading this book. Being a teen, I did not feel that this book was even childish for me. I learned so much in the few pages that it contained.
I think my favorite part of this book was when Morphew said; "that the problem in Eden was not the fact that Eve ate the fruit, but it was the choice she made." He said this because true love is a choice, isn't it? This was such an amazing read. I think that out of all three books this was my favorite. Maybe it is because of the fact I struggled most with this question. Or maybe because the way how we went throughout the whole Bible in a unique way perfectly helped answer this question.
I received this book in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts are my own and not paid for.
June 2, 2021
Chris Morphew is a new author to me, but he is obviously an elementary educator, and I learned he lives in Australia. These books are written by a man who knows kids well and should have a great appeal.
What I like about the books:
Using many engagement and teaching techniques, the author explains the answer to a common question. Strategies like: story-telling, metaphors, questions, thinking aloud, and biblical connections and explanations.
I found the books easy to read, informative, great thinking aloud about potential questions, misconceptions, and wonders.
And there are illustrations of each chapter's title throughout the book. Done in fun, engaging ways.
Each book is only around 80 pages of reading, which is well spaced, with breaks in sections, and makes an easy-to-follow read.
What I wonder about the books?
These are non-fiction biblical-centered books, so there is a certain reader that will love this style, but I doubt these books will appeal to every child that they are geared toward. My 11-year-old girl looked at them and did not pick one up to read.
Are these more appealing to adults than their intended audience?
Will well-intending adults insist that kids read these? and forgot that there are multiple ways to discover the answer to these questions?
Could the style, the chapter divisions, and perspectives, be built into a more graphic novel, with a wider appeal? how about a Bible study and more book-driven investigation?
Thankful to partner with thegoodbook company and review this new tool for tween kids.
What I like about the books:
Using many engagement and teaching techniques, the author explains the answer to a common question. Strategies like: story-telling, metaphors, questions, thinking aloud, and biblical connections and explanations.
I found the books easy to read, informative, great thinking aloud about potential questions, misconceptions, and wonders.
And there are illustrations of each chapter's title throughout the book. Done in fun, engaging ways.
Each book is only around 80 pages of reading, which is well spaced, with breaks in sections, and makes an easy-to-follow read.
What I wonder about the books?
These are non-fiction biblical-centered books, so there is a certain reader that will love this style, but I doubt these books will appeal to every child that they are geared toward. My 11-year-old girl looked at them and did not pick one up to read.
Are these more appealing to adults than their intended audience?
Will well-intending adults insist that kids read these? and forgot that there are multiple ways to discover the answer to these questions?
Could the style, the chapter divisions, and perspectives, be built into a more graphic novel, with a wider appeal? how about a Bible study and more book-driven investigation?
Thankful to partner with thegoodbook company and review this new tool for tween kids.
January 22, 2024
Loved this book!!
Quick and easy read/listen!
“It can be hard for us to even imagine a future like the one Jesus promises his followers. It it’s not because it’s too good to be true. It’s bc a world of sickness and suffering and death is all we’ve ever known.
In a world full of bad news..bad news is just easier to believe.
But Jesus entered into real history to show us that a better world isn’t just possible…it’s already on its way.
We’ve been lost for a long time. Long enough to believe that a word full of suffering is all there ever is…through his life, death and resurrection, God our father has come to bring us home.”
Quick and easy read/listen!
“It can be hard for us to even imagine a future like the one Jesus promises his followers. It it’s not because it’s too good to be true. It’s bc a world of sickness and suffering and death is all we’ve ever known.
In a world full of bad news..bad news is just easier to believe.
But Jesus entered into real history to show us that a better world isn’t just possible…it’s already on its way.
We’ve been lost for a long time. Long enough to believe that a word full of suffering is all there ever is…through his life, death and resurrection, God our father has come to bring us home.”
March 12, 2024
Another one of Chris’ books, and I left this one with a ton of beautiful takeaways.
The point of suffering and pain…. We might never know the answer, but we have Jesus.
It’s such a beautiful yet painful truth to wrestle with, but Chris does an excellent job reminding the reader that Jesus commands the wind and the waves, the chaos in life, He is in control, and it won’t last. He points us to our hope in the resurrected Christ as well. Wow! Fantastic book, and in bite size portions for kids to grasp as well! Great analogies, great story telling! Nice easy book! I would definitely point kids to this book!
The point of suffering and pain…. We might never know the answer, but we have Jesus.
It’s such a beautiful yet painful truth to wrestle with, but Chris does an excellent job reminding the reader that Jesus commands the wind and the waves, the chaos in life, He is in control, and it won’t last. He points us to our hope in the resurrected Christ as well. Wow! Fantastic book, and in bite size portions for kids to grasp as well! Great analogies, great story telling! Nice easy book! I would definitely point kids to this book!
May 10, 2022
Great little book exploring why bad things happen and why God continues to allow it.
Something that stood out to me is that sometimes even though we want to ask all these questions of God and why he is or isn't intervening a certain way (revelation of truth leads to questions about more truth), maybe we just need to sit and remember who God is, that his promises are always true, he loves you and he has a bigger plan in mind to make you more like Jesus. He died so that this is possible!
Something that stood out to me is that sometimes even though we want to ask all these questions of God and why he is or isn't intervening a certain way (revelation of truth leads to questions about more truth), maybe we just need to sit and remember who God is, that his promises are always true, he loves you and he has a bigger plan in mind to make you more like Jesus. He died so that this is possible!
May 7, 2023
I was concerned that this book would take an Arminian Libertarian Free Will defense approach to the problem of evil. I was very pleased to discover he maintains a reformed stance and does so masterfully. I think for kids with big questions, this book, and this series are GOLD. Wouldn’t improve upon a single thing. 10/10
December 4, 2022
I think this book would work best for young or new Christians. The language, metaphors and ideas are the sort of things you have probably heard before if you’ve been around for a while, but that doesn’t make them any less true. Short, sharp and sweet.
October 3, 2023
Excellent! Such great examples which are clear and point you back to God's word and his ultimate purposes. Highly recommend this for use with teens.
May 15, 2024
great book helping young Christians understand that God is good and sin is the issue.
May 27, 2024
Good book overall, doesn't dive too deep into the topic so if you're looking for a theological deep dive this isn't it. But it was a nice quick audiobook listen, and it had some good points.
July 11, 2025
An excellent summation on why there is suffering in our world.
Simple and easily understood reasons from a biblical perspective as to why there is suffering in this broken world in which we live.
Simple and easily understood reasons from a biblical perspective as to why there is suffering in this broken world in which we live.
December 23, 2025
this is excellent for kids and adults. I read it to teach a lesson for Kids club at church. its really a good info for all book
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews