This lesson teaches children that they can tell God the truth about their feelings, even hard ones, because God listens. It suits children aged about 5 to 11 and takes 20 to 30 minutes, including a short story, a question time, and one activity.
Big Idea
God wants us to be honest with him, even when we feel sad, confused, or unfair treatment. He listens to us, and we can talk to him about anything.
Memory Verse
Job 13:15
Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.
(WEB)
Teach the children to place one hand over their heart on the words “I will maintain my ways,” then lift both arms up high as if reaching for God. Say the verse together three times, getting a little quieter each time, so the children learn it by heart.
The Story: Job 13 for Kids
Job was a good man who had lost almost everything. His animals were gone, his children had died, and his body was covered in painful sores. Job’s friends came to sit with him, but they kept saying that he must have done something very wrong to deserve all this trouble.
Job did not agree with them. He knew he had tried to live honestly and to love God. So he said to his friends, “You are speaking lies about God, and you are not helping me at all.” He wished they would be quiet, because he wanted to talk directly to God.
Job was scared and sad. He said that even if God hurt him, he would still keep trusting God and would still stand up for what was right. He wanted God to hear his heart, not just the words his friends were saying about him.
Then Job prayed to God in a bold and honest way. He asked God to show him what he had done wrong, and he asked God why it felt like God was hiding from him. Job did not pretend everything was fine. He told God exactly how he felt.
Job did not run away from God in his pain. He brought his questions and his fears straight to the Lord. That is what made his prayer so honest and so brave.
Read It Together
Job 13:22
Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you answer me.
(WEB)
Point out that Job asks God to call and answer him, and to let him speak. Explain that God invites us to talk with him and promises to listen, which is good news for children who want to be heard.
Job 13:24
Why hide you your face, and hold me for your enemy?
(WEB)
Show the children that Job feels as if God is hiding his face from him. Explain that it is okay to say when we feel far away from God, and that telling him how we feel is a healthy way to pray.
Job 13:18
See now, I have set my cause in order. I know that I am righteous.
(WEB)
Point out that Job says he has set his cause in order and knows he is righteous. Help the children see that Job trusted God to be fair, and that they can trust God to be fair with them too.
Talk About It
- What is one thing that makes you feel sad or worried, and how did you tell someone about it?
- Why do you think Job wanted to talk directly to God instead of listening to his friends?
- How does it feel to know that God hears every word we say, even the hard ones?
- What is a question you would like to ask God when you pray?
- How can you be honest with God and still trust that he loves you?
Activity Ideas
Honest Heart Drawing
Give each child a sheet of paper and some crayons or markers. Ask them to draw a big heart and fill it with a feeling they might bring to God, such as worry, anger, or sadness. Let them talk quietly with you about their drawings, then pray together, asking God to hear each feeling.
Lift and Listen Game
Have the children stand in a circle. Call out a feeling, and the children act it out with a small movement, such as hunching for sadness or stomping for frustration. Then have everyone lift their hands and whisper “God hears me,” to show that God listens to every feeling we have.
Prayer Question Card
Give each child an index card and a pencil. Ask them to write or draw one honest question they would like to ask God, then put the card in a pocket or pencil case. Encourage them to take it home and bring it back to share, reminding them that God welcomes their questions.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Job 13 shows that honest prayer is part of a faithful life. Job does not hide his anger or confusion from God, and he does not stop trusting him. The chapter reminds us that God welcomes our honest words, even when we struggle to understand what he is doing.
Avoid suggesting to children that if they pray honestly, God will always remove their problems or explain everything right away. Job’s story is not a promise of quick answers. Focus instead on the truth that God listens, cares, and invites us to speak to him.
A Prayer to Close
Father, thank you that we can talk to you about everything in our hearts. Help us to be honest with you, even when we feel sad, scared, or confused. Thank you for listening to us and loving us every day. Amen.
