In this lesson, children learn that God knows everything, even the things we cannot understand, and that when we turn our hearts to him, we can trust him. This lesson suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God knows all things, far more than we do, so we can always bring our hearts to him and trust him to be good and fair.
Memory Verse
Job 11:13
“If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands open in front of their chests, palms up, like they are receiving a gift. Say the words slowly together as you lift your hands toward heaven.
The Story: Job 11 for Kids
Job had lost many things, and his friends had come to sit with him. One friend named Zophar was not kind, and he spoke up loudly. He thought Job had been talking too much and had been far too proud of himself. Zophar wanted Job to hear something important.
Zophar said that Job was saying he was clean and pure before God. Zophar wished God would speak directly to Job. He said that God knows secret wisdom that is much bigger than anything a person can understand. Zophar told Job that God was actually being kinder to him than Job deserved.
Zophar also said that no person can measure God. God is as high as heaven and as deep as the grave. He is longer than the earth and wider than the sea. Nobody can stop him or argue with him, because he sees everything, even the things people do in secret. Zophar said that people cannot understand God by themselves.
Then Zophar gave Job some advice. He said that if Job would make his heart right, he should lift his hands toward God in prayer. He should put sin far away from his home. If Job did this, Zophar said, Job could lift up his face without shame, stand firm, and stop being afraid. His hard times would fade like water that has run away. Light would come back, and Job could rest safely, because there was hope.
Read It Together
Job 11:7-9
7 “Can you fathom the mystery of God? Or can you probe the limits of the Almighty? 8 They are high as heaven. What can you do? They are deeper than Sheol. What can you know? 9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.
(WEB)
Point out that God is bigger than we can measure. Ask the children to stretch their arms wide, then high, then low, to show how big God is. Explain that Zophar used pictures of heaven, the grave, the earth and the sea to show that God’s knowledge goes beyond anything we can reach.
Job 11:13-15
13 “If you set your heart aright, stretch out your hands toward him. 14 If iniquity is in your hand, put it far away. Don’t let unrighteousness dwell in your tents. 15 Surely then you shall lift up your face without spot; Yes, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear…
(WEB)
Show the children that this passage gives a picture of coming back to God. Point out the words about turning the heart, reaching out, and putting sin away. Explain that this is what it looks like to come close to God, and that God welcomes people who come to him this way.
Job 11:17-18
17 Life shall be clearer than the noonday. Though there is darkness, it shall be as the morning. 18 You shall be secure, because there is hope. Yes, you shall search, and shall take your rest in safety.
(WEB)
Talk about how God brings light after darkness and hope after hard times. Ask the children to think of a time when the dark ended and the morning came. Explain that God gives people hope that can make them feel safe enough to rest.
Talk About It
- What is something you wish you could understand about God, and how does it make you feel?
- Why do you think it helps to know that God knows everything, even the things we cannot see?
- What does it look like to turn your heart toward God when you have done something wrong?
- When you feel scared or sad, what can you do to remember that God is with you?
- How can you show someone that you trust God when things are hard for them?
Activity Ideas
Hands Up Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and tape. Ask each child to trace one of their hands on the paper, then draw a small heart in the palm. Write or draw one thing they want to give to God inside the heart. Tape the drawings to the wall as a reminder that we can bring everything to him.
Heaven, Earth, and Sea Walk
Clear a space in the room or outside. Call out “heaven,” and have the children reach up high. Call out “earth,” and have them stomp. Call out “sea,” and have them wave their arms like waves. Call out “deep,” and have them crouch low. End by calling “God knows it all!” and have everyone freeze and say the memory verse together.
Morning Light Card
You will need a sheet of dark paper, a few cotton balls or yellow tissue paper, and glue. Have each child glue a small yellow sun or a few tissue pieces at the top of the paper to show morning coming after darkness. Encourage them to take the card home and place it where they will see it at bedtime or breakfast as a reminder of God’s hope.
Teacher Notes
Zophar was one of Job’s friends, and he spoke with confidence but made wrong assumptions about Job’s heart and situation. For adults, the chapter teaches that God’s knowledge and power are beyond human measure, and that those who turn to him in humility can find hope and rest. Zophar’s picture of God is partly true, but the wider book of Job shows that God does not always answer in the way his friends expected.
Avoid suggesting to children that hard things always happen because of sin, or that doing the right thing guarantees that trouble will go away. Keep the focus on God’s knowledge, his goodness, and the hope he gives, without promising any particular outcome.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, you know everything, and we do not. Help us bring our hearts to you and trust you when we do not understand. Thank you for the hope you give us and for the light that comes after dark times. Help us rest in you today. Amen.
