This lesson teaches children that God can bring good things back to people after hard times, and that He is always in control, even when we do not understand what is happening. It is designed for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach, including the story, Bible reading, and activity.
Big Idea
God is always in charge, and He can make things new again after a hard time. Even when we do not understand why something sad happened, God knows what He is doing and loves us.
Memory Verse
Job 42:2
“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be restrained.
(WEB)
Put one hand on your heart and say the verse slowly. Then lift both arms high like a tall tree, showing that God can do all things. Repeat it together three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: Job 42 for Kids
Job was a good man who loved God very much. He had a big family, many animals, and a lot of land. Then, one very hard day, Job lost almost everything he had, and he was very sad. His friends came to visit him, but they said many things that were not true about God. Job did not understand why all of this had happened to him, so he asked God some honest questions.
God answered Job from a whirlwind and reminded him how powerful and wise God is. Job listened carefully and said, “I know that you can do all things.” Job told God that he had talked about things he did not understand, and he said he was sorry. Then God spoke to Eliphaz, one of Job’s friends, and told him they had not spoken the right things about God the way Job had. God told them to bring offerings, and Job prayed for his friends.
After Job prayed for his friends, God gave Job back twice as much as he had before. Job’s brothers, sisters, and old friends came to his house. They ate bread with him, comforted him, and each gave him a gift. God blessed the second part of Job’s life even more than the first part.
God gave Job seven sons and three daughters. Job’s daughters were so beautiful that people talked about them all over the land. Job had many years to enjoy his children and grandchildren. He lived to be very old, and he saw four generations of his family.
When Job died, he was old and full of days. He had lived a long life, and God had turned his sad story into a story of blessing. Children can remember that God’s love did not stop, even when life was very hard.
Read It Together
Job 42:5
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you.
(WEB)
Point out that Job went from only hearing about God to really seeing and knowing Him. Explain that when we go through hard times, God can feel close to us, even when we do not understand. Ask children to think of a time they felt God was near.
Job 42:10
The LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends. The LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
(WEB)
Show children that God restored what Job had lost, and that God blessed Job even more than before. Explain that God can bring healing and good things back into our lives, though He does not always work in the same way for everyone. Keep the focus on God’s faithfulness.
Job 42:12
So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand female donkeys.
(WEB)
Point out that God blessed the later part of Job’s life more than the beginning. Explain that God’s plans can be bigger and better than we expect, and that He is still at work in our lives. Encourage children that God keeps His promises to care for His people.
Talk About It
- What do you think Job felt when he lost his animals and his children?
- Why is it good to talk to God when we have questions we do not understand?
- How did Job’s friends help him, and how could they have helped him better?
- What do you think Job was thinking when he prayed for his friends?
- What is one good thing God has given you that makes you thankful?
Activity Ideas
Restored Tree Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a tree with bare branches on one side of the paper. On the other side, have them draw the same tree with green leaves, flowers, or fruit. Explain that the tree shows how God can bring new life and good things back after a hard time.
Lift Me Up Movement Game
Clear some space in the room so children can move around safely. Ask them to crouch down low like they are sad, then slowly stand up and stretch their arms high as you say, “God can make all things new.” Repeat the motion several times, and then have children try it with the memory verse.
Family Blessing Jar
You will need a clean jar, small slips of paper, and a pen. Ask each family member to write one good thing God has given them and place it in the jar. Read the notes together at the end of the week. This helps children remember that God blesses His people in many ways.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Job 42 shows that God is sovereign over all things and that He is faithful even when we cannot see His purposes. Job’s honest response to God’s greatness teaches humility, and his restoration reminds us that God cares for His people. The story also shows the value of praying for others, even when we are suffering ourselves.
With children, avoid suggesting that every hard situation will be fixed quickly or that faithful people will always get back exactly what they lost. Keep the focus on God’s character and love, and be gentle about suffering. Let children know that it is okay to ask God questions and that God can be trusted.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are always in charge and that You know everything about us. Help us trust You when we do not understand, and help us pray for our friends like Job did. Thank You for always loving us and making things new. Amen.
