In this lesson, children learn that Job trusted God even after he lost almost everything, and that they can trust God too when hard things happen. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is good and worthy of our trust, even on the days when we feel sad, scared, or confused. We can keep loving God no matter what happens to us.
Memory Verse
Job 1:21
He said, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the LORD’s name.”
(WEB)
Have the children sit tall and hold their hands open in front of them as they say the verse together. When they reach the words about the Lord taking away, slowly lower the open hands. When they say “Blessed be the Lord’s name,” lift the hands up high like they are praising.
The Story: Job 1 for Kids
Once there was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. Job loved God very much, and he tried hard to do what was right and to stay away from things that were wrong. God blessed Job with a big family and lots of animals, including thousands of sheep and camels. Job had seven sons and three daughters, and they all loved to get together and celebrate. Job even prayed and gave offerings for his children, in case they had done anything wrong.
One day, the children were at the oldest brother’s house eating and drinking together. Then a messenger came running to Job with terrible news. Robbers had taken the oxen and donkeys, and the servants had been hurt. Before he could even catch his breath, another messenger came and said that fire from the sky had burned up the sheep and the men who took care of them.
More bad news kept coming. A third messenger said that other thieves had stolen the camels. Then the last messenger brought the saddest news of all. A strong wind had knocked down the house where Job’s children were, and all of them had died. Job was filled with grief.
Job tore his clothes and shaved his head, which were ways people showed deep sadness back then. He fell to the ground and worshiped God. Job did not blame God or say that God had done something wrong. Instead, he said that God gives and God takes away, and he still praised God’s name.
Job was very sad, but he chose to keep trusting God. This shows us that even when we are hurting, we can still choose to trust God and love Him. God was still good, even when Job could not understand why these things happened.
Read It Together
Job 1:1
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God, and turned away from evil.
(WEB)
Point out that the Bible describes Job as a man who was blameless, upright, and loved God. Ask the children what kind of person they think Job was. Explain that Job’s faith was real, and God noticed it.
Job 1:8
The LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is no one like him in the earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil.”
(WEB)
Show the children that God was proud of Job and talked about him. Explain that God knew Job’s heart and wanted to tell others about how faithful he was. This helps children see that God notices them too.
Job 1:20-22
20 Then Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down on the ground, and worshiped. 21 He said, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the LORD’s name.” 22 In all this, Job did not sin, nor charge God with wrongdoing.
(WEB)
Point out how Job responded to his loss by worshiping God. Explain that Job showed his sadness openly, but he still did not turn away from God. Help children see that it is okay to be sad, and God still loves them when they are sad.
Talk About It
- What was the first bad thing that happened to Job, and how do you think you would feel if it happened to you?
- Why did Job tear his clothes and shave his head when he heard the sad news?
- What did Job say about God when he was very sad, and why do you think he said it?
- How can you show that you trust God when something hard happens in your life?
- What is one thing you can thank God for today, even if it is a small thing?
Activity Ideas
Hands Up Praise Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, scissors, and glue. Have each child trace their hand on the paper and cut it out. On each finger, have them write or draw one thing they can thank God for. Hang the hands together on the wall as a reminder that God is worthy of praise even in hard times.
Bounce Back Movement Game
You will need an open space and a timer or a simple countdown. Call out different actions like sitting down, jumping, or lying down, and have the children do them. Explain that Job’s life was full of ups and downs, but God stayed the same. Use the game to show that we can keep trusting God even when our circumstances change.
Trust and Thanks Family Jar
You will need a clean jar and small pieces of paper. Ask each family member to write a thank-you prayer on a slip of paper and place it in the jar. Read the notes together during dinner or before bed. This simple habit helps children remember to thank God and trust Him every day.
Teacher Notes
For adults, the story of Job shows that faith is not the absence of pain. Job lost his wealth and children, yet he refused to curse God and kept honoring Him. The book raises hard questions about suffering, and the rest of Job wrestles with them at length. Chapter 1 gives us a glimpse of a faithful man whose response to loss is worship, which is a powerful example for adults facing their own trials.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that God causes every bad thing that happens or that suffering is a punishment for sin. The chapter shows that Job was blameless and that the trials came from circumstances the chapter describes, and children should hear that God is good and faithful even when we do not understand what is happening.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are good, even when we feel sad or scared. Help us trust You when hard things happen, just like Job did. Remind us that You are always with us and that we can talk to You about anything. We love You, and we know You love us. Amen.
