In this Job 27 Sunday school lesson, children learn that Job kept trusting God and kept doing what was right, even when his life was falling apart. Use this lesson with children ages 5 to 11. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, the Bible reading, and the activity.
Big Idea
Even when things are very hard, we can keep telling the truth and doing what is right, because God is with us and God is good.
Memory Verse
Job 27:5
Far be it from me that I should justify you. Until I die I will not put away my integrity from me.
(WEB)
Have children stand up tall, put one hand on their heart, and say the verse together while they hold that pose. Then have them sit down slowly, still keeping one hand on their heart, to show that they are staying faithful even when they feel tired.
The Story: Job 27 for Kids
Job was a good man who loved God very much. He had a big family, lots of animals, and a happy home. But then many terrible things happened to him all at once. He lost his animals, his children, and his health. His friends came to visit, but they said a lot of unkind things and kept telling him that he must have done something very bad to deserve this.
Job knew that he had not done anything wrong to make God angry. So he spoke up and said that he would not pretend to be someone he was not. He told his friends that he would keep his heart clean and keep telling the truth, no matter what they said. Job said, in his own words, “I will not let go of what is right, and my heart will not blame me for it.”
Job also said that the wicked people, the ones who lie and hurt others, do not really have hope. Their riches can disappear quickly, and they cannot hide from God. Job was not glad that bad things happened to others, but he wanted everyone to see that God is fair and that God sees everything that people do.
Job did not understand why all of his trouble had come, and he did not have all the answers. But he kept believing that God was still good. Job chose to stay faithful, even while he was sad and confused. That is a brave and strong thing to do.
When we remember Job, we can think about how he stayed true to God even when his life was hard. We can follow his example by being honest, kind, and faithful, even when we feel like giving up.
Read It Together
Job 27:2
“As God lives, who has taken away my right, the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter
(WEB)
Point out that Job spoke about God as the one who lives and sees everything. Explain to children that when Job said “As God lives,” he was saying that God is real and always present, and that Job trusted him even in his pain.
Job 27:3-4
3 (for the length of my life is still in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils); 4 surely my lips shall not speak unrighteousness, neither shall my tongue utter deceit.
(WEB)
Show children that Job said he would not speak wrong things or tell lies. Ask them what it means to be honest, and how they can tell the truth even when it is hard to do so.
Job 27:6
I hold fast to my righteousness, and will not let it go. My heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.
(WEB)
Help children see that Job said he would hold tightly to doing what is right. Talk about how we can hold on to what is good, like kindness and honesty, even when other people try to pull us away from it.
Talk About It
- What is one thing Job lost in the story, and how do you think he felt about losing it?
- Why do you think Job kept telling the truth even when his friends were not kind to him?
- When is a time that it was hard for you to do the right thing, and what helped you?
- How can you tell that God is with you when you feel sad or scared?
- What is one way you can stay honest and kind this week at home or at school?
Activity Ideas
Heart Tracing Craft
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and scissors. Have each child trace one hand on the paper, then draw a heart in the palm. Write or draw one way they can stay honest or kind this week inside the heart. Let them take it home to put on the refrigerator as a reminder.
Statue Freeze Game
You need an open space and some music or a clap rhythm. Have the children dance or move around freely. When the music stops or you clap once, they freeze like a statue and say the memory verse. Explain that just like they stayed still, Job stayed faithful and did not change what he believed. Play a few rounds.
Faithful Friend Card
You need a sheet of paper folded in half, pencils, and a few stickers if you have them. Ask each child to write or draw a way they will stay faithful to a friend this week, like keeping a promise or being kind when things are tricky. They can give the card to a family member or friend as a take-home reminder of Job’s faithfulness.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Job 27 shows a man who refuses to let suffering push him into dishonesty. Job holds on to his integrity and his trust in God even though he cannot understand why he is suffering. The chapter reminds us that faithfulness is not the same as having every answer, and that God’s justice is real even when we cannot see it yet.
With children, avoid suggesting that suffering always comes because of sin or that good people will always be rewarded right away. Job’s story is more complex than that, and the book of Job as a whole does not give a simple explanation. Keep the focus on Job’s honesty, courage, and trust in God rather than on promising that hard things will always have a clear reason.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank you that you are always with us, even when life feels hard. Help us to be honest and kind, and to keep doing what is right, just like Job did. When we feel scared or sad, remind us that you are still good and still near. Amen.
