This lesson teaches children that God is wise and powerful, and that he knows and cares for everything he has made. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is wiser and stronger than anyone, and he is in charge of everything in the world, including the animals, the earth, and the people who live on it.
Memory Verse
Job 12:13
“With God is wisdom and might. He has counsel and understanding.
(WEB)
Have the children hold both hands up high, then slowly bring them together in front of their chest, as if they are holding something precious. Say the verse together while you do the motion, and let the children copy you each time you repeat it.
The Story: Job 12 for Kids
Job was a good man who had lost many things, and his friends did not understand why this had happened to him. Job felt sad and a little embarrassed, because his friends were talking as if they knew everything. Job spoke up and told them that he understood things just as well as they did. He said that even they knew the things he was saying were true.
Job told his friends to look at the world God made. He said, “Ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you.” Job was pointing to the way God takes care of every creature, big and small. The fish in the sea and the plants on the earth also show that God is in charge of life itself.
Next, Job reminded them that God is the one who has wisdom and strength. Job said that God knows everything and that no one can change what God decides. He told them that when God closes a door, no one can open it again, and when God opens a door, no one can shut it. Job was saying that God is powerful over every nation, every king, and every leader.
Job finished by telling his friends that people who think they know everything can become confused, just like someone who walks in the dark without a light. Job wanted his friends to remember that God is the one who gives understanding. Even when things are hard, God is still wise, strong, and in control.
Read It Together
Job 12:7-9
7 “But ask the animals, now, and they shall teach you; the birds of the sky, and they shall tell you. 8 Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you. The fish of the sea shall declare to you. 9 Who doesn’t know that in all these, the LORD’s hand has done this…
(WEB)
Point out that Job told his friends to look at the animals, the birds, the earth, and the fish to learn about God. Ask the children what they have noticed about animals and nature, and help them see that all of creation shows that God made everything with care.
Job 12:16-17
16 With him is strength and wisdom. The deceived and the deceiver are his. 17 He leads counselors away stripped. He makes judges fools.
(WEB)
Point out that these verses say God is strong and that he is the one who is in charge of wise people and leaders. Remind the children that no matter how important a person seems, God is greater than anyone, and we can trust him with our lives.
Talk About It
- What is one animal you think shows how God takes care of his creation, and why?
- When you see a bird flying or a fish swimming, what does it teach you about God?
- Why do you think it is good to know that God is wiser than everyone?
- How did Job feel when his friends thought they knew everything, and how can we treat others kindly when we disagree?
- What is one thing you can trust God to take care of in your life today?
Activity Ideas
Animal Drawing Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw one animal or bird that they like, and then write or dictate one sentence about how God made it. Hang the drawings on a wall or table so the class can see how God takes care of many different creatures.
Wise Shepherd Movement Game
Gather the children in an open space and choose one child to be the “wise leader” who stands in the center. The rest of the children move around like animals, such as hopping like frogs or flapping like birds. When you call “Stop,” everyone freezes, and the leader points to one child who must then tell one thing God made. This helps the children practice listening and noticing God’s creation.
Take-Home Nature Walk
Give each family a simple card that says “Look for God’s Wisdom Today” and ask them to take a short walk outside with their child. Encourage the family to look for birds, plants, or insects and talk about how God made them. Ask the children to share one thing they noticed at the next class.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Job 12 shows that God alone possesses true wisdom and strength, and that human understanding is limited. Job’s friends thought they had all the answers, but Job reminds them that God is the source of all wisdom and that he governs the natural world and human history. This chapter invites us to humble ourselves and trust God’s authority even when we cannot see the full picture.
Be careful not to suggest to children that God causes every bad thing that happens to them, since this chapter is part of a larger story of suffering that the book of Job explores in depth. Focus instead on the simple truth that God is wise, strong, and in control, and that he cares for everything he has made.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you are wise and strong, and that you know everything we need. Help us remember that you made the animals, the birds, the earth, and the fish, and that you take care of all of them. Help us trust you with our lives today. Amen.
