This lesson teaches children that God sees everything we do and that we can always turn to Him for help. It suits children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including a short story, a few questions, and an activity.
Big Idea
God sees everything, and He is always ready for us to come back to Him. We can trust Him even when we make mistakes.
Memory Verse
Job 22:21
“Acquaint yourself with him, now, and be at peace. Thereby good shall come to you.
(WEB)
Have the children cup their hands together in front of their chest, then slowly open them outward like a book being unfolded. Every time they say “be at peace,” they can rest both hands on their heart.
The Story: Job 22 for Kids
Eliphaz was one of Job’s friends. Job had lost his children, his animals, and his health, and everyone was trying to figure out why. Eliphaz decided he knew the reason. He thought Job must have done something very wrong to make God so unhappy with him.
Eliphaz began by asking a question. He wondered whether a person could ever really help God by being good. He said that a wise person helps only himself. Then he made a list of wrong things he believed Job had done. He said Job had taken things from people who had nothing and had not given water or bread to people who were tired and hungry.
Eliphaz also said that Job must have forgotten that God was up in heaven and could see everything. He said Job had thought, “God cannot see through the dark clouds.” Eliphaz thought that was foolish, because God is higher than the stars.
But Eliphaz did not stop there. He gave Job a kind invitation. He said, “Get to know God, and you will have peace.” He told Job that if he returned to God and put away his wrong ways, God would build him up again. God would listen to his prayers and would help the humble.
Eliphaz was wrong about the reason for Job’s trouble, and God later corrected him. But this chapter still teaches us something true. God sees everything, and He always invites us to come back to Him.
Read It Together
Job 22:12
“Isn’t God in the heights of heaven? See the height of the stars, how high they are!
(WEB)
Point out that God is far above us, higher than the stars. Ask the children what they think it means that God can see even in the dark. Remind them that nothing is hidden from Him, and that this is comforting because He always knows what we need.
Job 22:23-25
23 If you return to the Almighty, you shall be built up, if you put away unrighteousness far from your tents. 24 Lay your treasure in the dust, the gold of Ophir among the stones of the brooks. 25 The Almighty will be your treasure, and precious silver to you.
(WEB)
Show the children that Eliphaz told Job to turn back to God and put away wrong things. Explain that when we say sorry and come back to God, He welcomes us. Point out that God is more valuable to us than gold or silver.
Job 22:26-27
26 For then you will delight yourself in the Almighty, and shall lift up your face to God. 27 You shall make your prayer to him, and he will hear you. You shall pay your vows.
(WEB)
Talk about how we can delight in God and talk with Him in prayer. Explain that prayer is simply speaking to God, and that He hears every word. Encourage the children that God wants to hear from them.
Talk About It
- What is one thing that makes you feel safe when you know someone is watching over you?
- How can we remember that God sees what we do, even when we are alone?
- What is a time you felt sorry for something you did, and how did you make things right?
- Why do you think God wants us to come to Him instead of hiding from Him?
- What is one way you can talk to God this week?
Activity Ideas
Star Drawing Craft
You will need dark blue construction paper, white crayons or chalk, and a few yellow stickers. Have each child draw a night sky by pressing lightly with a white crayon or sprinkling chalk. Let them add yellow stars with stickers. As they work, remind them that God is higher than every star and that He sees everything above and below.
Hide and Seek Game
Play a simple hide and seek game in a room or yard. Before you start, explain that even when we hide, God always sees us. Let the children take turns hiding while the others count. After each round, talk about how God is never surprised by where we go and always knows where we are.
Take-Home Reminder Card
You will need an index card, a marker, and a small piece of tape. Have each child write “God sees me” on the card and draw a simple heart beside it. Let them tape it to their bedroom door or mirror. Encourage them to read it at bedtime and talk to God about their day.
Teacher Notes
Job 22 records the words of Eliphaz, one of Job’s friends, who wrongly assumed that Job’s suffering was a punishment for hidden sin. For adults, the chapter is a reminder that God is not diminished by human goodness or harmed by human sin, and that He is never out of sight. It also shows how easily well-meaning people can speak with confidence and still be mistaken about God’s ways.
When teaching children, avoid suggesting that anyone who suffers must have done something wrong. Job’s story in the wider book shows that God’s reasons are not always visible to us. Focus instead on God’s faithfulness and on the invitation to come back to Him.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, we know You see everything we do, and nothing is hidden from You. Thank You for always being near and for wanting us to come to You. Help us to say sorry when we do wrong and to trust You every day. Keep us close to You. Amen.
