This lesson teaches children that God is mighty, wise, and good, and that he cares for people who are hurting. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the activity.
Big Idea
God is very powerful and very wise, and he always does what is fair and kind. Even when things feel hard, God is still in charge and still cares about us.
Memory Verse
Job 36:5
“Behold, God is mighty, and doesn’t despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding.
(WEB)
Cup both hands in front of your chest like you are holding something precious, then slowly lift them up over your head. Say “Mighty!” as you lift your arms, so the children feel how big God is.
The Story: Job 36 for Kids
Job was a good man who had lost many things, and his friends had been talking with him for a long time about why bad things happen. A young man named Elihu had been listening quietly, and now he wanted to speak. He asked everyone to be patient with him for a little while, because he had something important to say about God.
Elihu told them that God is mighty, but God does not look down on anyone. He said that God protects good people and helps those who are sad or hurt. When people are caught in trouble, God shows them what they have done and gives them a chance to turn back to him. Elihu said that people who listen and serve God can have good days and happy years.
Elihu also reminded them to think about how big God is. He pointed up at the sky and talked about the clouds, the rain, and the thunder. He said that God makes the rain fall to give water to the earth and food to people. Elihu asked, “Can anyone understand how God spreads the clouds?” and the answer was no, because God’s power is far bigger than anyone can understand.
Elihu wanted the people to know that God is great and wise, and that they cannot fully know him. But he also wanted them to trust that God is good and fair. God sees everything, and he is in control of all of it.
Read It Together
Job 36:22
Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?
(WEB)
Point out that God is exalted in his power, which means he is higher and greater than anything else. Ask the children to name something they think is very strong, and then remind them that God is stronger than all of it.
Job 36:26
Behold, God is great, and we don’t know him. The number of his years is unsearchable.
(WEB)
Help the children see that we cannot fully understand God, but we can still trust him. Explain that not knowing everything about God is okay, because he is always wise and always good.
Job 36:31
For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance.
(WEB)
Show the children that God gives food in abundance, which means he gives plenty to take care of people. Talk about the meals they eat each day and thank God for providing them.
Talk About It
- What is one thing that God made that shows how powerful he is?
- How do you think God feels when someone is sad or hurting?
- What is something you can do this week to show that you trust God?
- Why do you think it is okay that we cannot understand everything about God?
- What is one way God has taken care of you or your family?
Activity Ideas
Draw the Sky and Rain
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and cotton balls for clouds. Have each child draw a sky with the sun, then glue cotton balls at the top for clouds and draw blue lines falling down for rain. As they work, ask them to tell you one thing God does with the clouds and rain. Hang the pictures up as a reminder of how powerful God is.
Mighty Mountains Game
Clear some space in the room and call out “Mighty!” The children stand tall with their arms stretched wide like a mountain. When you call out “Gentle!” they curl up small like a seed. Play for a few rounds, and each time, remind the children that God is both mighty and gentle with his people.
Thank You Jar
You will need a clear jar or cup and some slips of paper. Each day this week, have the children write or draw one thing God provided, such as food, family, or sunshine. Place the slips in the jar. At the end of the week, read them together and thank God for all he has given.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this passage is part of Elihu’s speech to Job and his friends. Elihu argues that God is just, all-powerful, and attentive to the suffering, and that human wisdom is limited when we try to understand God’s ways. The chapter invites us to trust God’s character even when we cannot see the full picture.
With children, avoid overstating the connection between a person’s behavior and their circumstances. The book of Job as a whole pushes back against the idea that suffering always means someone did something wrong, so keep the focus on God’s power, goodness, and faithfulness rather than suggesting easy cause-and-effect answers.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we thank you that you are mighty and wise and good. Help us trust you even when we do not understand everything. Thank you for the rain, the food, and the people who love us. Help us remember that you are always with us. Amen.
