This lesson teaches children that they can talk honestly with God, even when they feel confused or sad, because God listens and cares. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including a short story, a few questions, and one activity.
Big Idea
God is someone we can always talk to, even when we don’t understand what is happening. He listens to us, and He is worthy of our trust.
Memory Verse
Job 13:15
Behold, he will kill me. I have no hope. Nevertheless, I will maintain my ways before him.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands in front of their chest, like they are holding something precious, and then lift their hands up toward the sky as they say the verse together. Repeat it three times, getting a little quieter each time.
The Story: Job 13 for Kids
Job was a good man who loved God very much. One day, many terrible things happened to him. He lost his animals, his house, and his children, and he became very sick. Job’s friends came to visit him, but they did not help much. They kept saying that Job must have done something very bad to make God angry.
Job knew that he had not done anything to deserve all of this. He was sad and confused, and he wanted to talk to God about it. He said, “I want to speak to God. I want to tell Him what I think.” Job did not hide his feelings from God. He brought his questions straight to Him.
Job’s friends did not like it when he talked this way. They thought he should be quiet and stop asking questions. But Job still trusted that God was there and that God was good. He even said that he hoped God would hear him and answer him back.
Job was honest about how hard things were for him. He felt like he had no strength left and did not know what would happen next. Even so, he kept talking to God and kept holding on to Him. Job showed everyone that it is okay to bring our hard feelings to God.
Read It Together
Job 13:3
“Surely I would speak to the Almighty. I desire to reason with God.
(WEB)
Point out that Job wanted to talk directly to God. Explain that God welcomes our questions and wants us to bring them to Him, just as Job did.
Job 13:22
Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you answer me.
(WEB)
Show the children that Job asked God to call and answer him. Tell them that God hears us when we pray, and that we can ask Him for help and wisdom anytime.
Job 13:16
This also shall be my salvation, that a godless man shall not come before him.
(WEB)
Point out that Job believed God would be his salvation, meaning his rescue and help. Explain that even in sad times, we can trust that God is working for our good.
Talk About It
- What is something that made you feel sad or confused, and what did you do about it?
- Why do you think Job wanted to talk to God about his problems instead of keeping quiet?
- How did Job’s friends make things harder for him, and how can we be better friends to people who are hurting?
- What are some ways you can talk to God when you have questions or worries?
- Even when we don’t understand what is happening, what can we remember about who God is?
Activity Ideas
Question Cloud Drawing
You will need paper, crayons or markers, and a pencil. Ask each child to draw a large cloud on the paper and write or draw one question or feeling they would like to bring to God inside it. Let them share their cloud with a partner, then place the drawings on a wall as a reminder that God hears every question.
Stand Strong Game
You will need an open space in your classroom or living room. Have the children stand in a line, then tell them to act out Job’s feelings of sadness by slumping their shoulders. Next, have them stand up tall and say, “God is with me,” and repeat the memory verse together. Let them switch back and forth between slumping and standing tall, showing that God gives us strength to stand up again.
Prayer Jar at Home
You will need an empty jar, small slips of paper, and a pen. Invite the child to write a prayer request or question on a slip of paper, then fold it and place it in the jar. Set aside a time each evening to pull out one or two slips and pray about them together, reminding the child that God listens every day.
Teacher Notes
Job’s story shows that adults, too, can struggle to understand why hard things happen. Job brought his honest questions to God instead of pretending he had all the answers, and God welcomes that kind of honesty. Adults can learn from Job that faith does not mean having no questions, but trusting God even while we ask them.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that suffering always happens because of something a person did wrong. Job’s friends made that mistake, and the book itself shows that their explanations were not the whole truth. Focus instead on the simple truths that God listens, cares, and can be trusted.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that we can always talk to You. When we feel sad or don’t understand things, help us bring our questions to You. Thank You for listening to us and for loving us every day. Help us trust You, even when we don’t know what is coming next. Amen.
