In this lesson, children learn that God is powerful and wise, bigger than the thunder and snow, and that we can trust Him even when we do not understand everything He does. This lesson is for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes.
Big Idea
God made the storms, the snow, and the rain, and He is far greater than anything we can see. Even when we cannot understand Him, we can trust that He is wise and good.
Memory Verse
Job 37:5
God thunders marvelously with his voice. He does great things, which we can’t comprehend.
(WEB)
Put one hand flat on your chest, then slowly raise both arms up over your head like a big sky. Say the verse together with your arms moving slowly, as if you are watching the clouds roll by.
The Story: Job 37 for Kids
Elihu was a young man who had been listening to his friends talk with Job, a good man who had lost his children, his animals, and his health. Elihu was upset with how the talking had gone, so he stood up to speak. He told everyone to pay close attention to the sounds of the sky, because God’s voice was in the thunder and the lightning.
Elihu talked about the storm rolling across the whole sky. The thunder roared, and the lightning flashed out to the far edges of the earth. The animals heard the storm coming and hurried into their dens to hide until it passed. Elihu said that cold winds blew from the north, and the waters froze into ice.
Then Elihu asked Job a question that made him think. He asked Job if he knew how God makes the clouds float and how He makes the lightning shine. Elihu said, in simple words, that people cannot understand all of God’s wonderful works. Job could not answer these questions, because only God knows how these things happen.
Elihu ended by reminding everyone that God is awesome and full of majesty. People cannot reach Him in His power, but He is always fair and right. Elihu said that because God is so wise, people should respect Him and trust Him, even when they do not understand what He is doing.
Read It Together
Job 37:14
“Listen to this, Job. Stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.
(WEB)
Point out that Elihu tells Job to stop and think about God’s amazing works. Ask the children to name one wonderful thing God made that they have seen this week.
Job 37:16
Do you know the workings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge?
(WEB)
Show the children that God knows everything about the clouds and the weather, even things people cannot see. Explain that He is perfect in knowledge, which means He never makes a mistake.
Job 37:22-23
22 Out of the north comes golden splendor. With God is awesome majesty. 23 We can’t reach the Almighty. He is exalted in power. In justice and great righteousness, he will not oppress.
(WEB)
Point out the words about golden splendor and awesome majesty. Explain that God is powerful and fair, so we can trust Him even when we are scared of a storm.
Talk About It
- What is one thing in the sky that you think God made, and why do you think it is amazing?
- How do you feel when a big thunderstorm rolls in, and what can you remember about God when that happens?
- Why do you think the animals went into their dens when the storm came?
- What is something about God that is too big for you to understand completely?
- How can you show God that you trust Him, even when you do not know why something is happening?
Activity Ideas
Paper Plate Storm Clouds
You will need a paper plate, cotton balls, blue and gray crayons, glue, and a pencil. Have each child draw a large sky on the plate and glue cotton balls on it to make clouds. Next, have them draw a few lightning bolts and raindrops in gray and blue. As they work, talk about how God made the clouds and how He controls the storms.
Thunder and Calm Freeze Game
Clear a space in the room and tell the children that when you say “thunder,” they should stomp their feet loudly, and when you say “calm,” they should freeze like ice. Keep the pace fun and quick for about five minutes. Afterward, explain that God is in charge of both the loud storms and the quiet times.
Storm Verse Card
You will need an index card, a marker, and a rubber band or a small bag for the card. Write the memory verse reference on one side and draw a small cloud on the other side. Let each child decorate the card and take it home. Encourage them to read the verse to a family member during the week and to remember that God is powerful and good.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Job 37 is part of Elihu’s speech, in which he describes the power and wisdom of God through the storms and weather. Elihu’s main point is that God’s works are too wonderful for people to fully understand, so humility and trust are the right response. The passage does not give easy answers to suffering, but it shows that God is greater than our questions.
Avoid suggesting to children that storms are always a punishment from God or that God sends every bad event as a lesson. The chapter describes God’s power over the weather, but it does not explain every hardship. Keep the focus on God’s greatness and trustworthiness rather than on making children feel afraid of bad weather.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we thank You that You are so big and so wise. You made the clouds, the rain, and the thunder, and You know everything about them. Help us trust You even when we do not understand. Amen.
