This lesson teaches children that God is always fair and always does what is right, even when we cannot understand what is happening. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
God is always good and always fair. We can trust Him even when we do not understand what is happening around us or to us.
Memory Verse
Job 34:12
Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands flat in front of them, then slowly turn them palms up as they say the verse together. Each time, they should nod their heads slowly, as if agreeing that God is fair.
The Story: Job 34 for Kids
A man named Elihu was listening to some older men talk about a man named Job. Job had lost his children, his animals, and his health, and he was very sad and confused. Elihu felt that it was time to speak up, so he asked everyone to listen carefully to what he had to say.
Elihu pointed out that Job had said some hard things about God. Job had said that God had treated him unfairly, and that it did not help a person to try to be close to God. Elihu thought that these words were not true. He wanted everyone to know that God does not do wrong things.
Elihu reminded them that God is the one who made the whole world. He said that God sees everything people do, and that no one can hide from Him in the dark. Elihu told them that God is powerful, but He always treats people fairly, whether they are rich or poor, kings or servants.
Elihu also told the people that God hears when poor and hurting people cry out to Him. God does not forget them. Elihu said, in his own simple way, that God always does what is right, and he asked the wise men to agree with him.
At the end of his talk, Elihu wanted Job to think carefully about his words. He hoped that Job would stop speaking so harshly and would trust God again. The story ends with Elihu still telling everyone that God is good and fair.
Read It Together
Job 34:10
“Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.
(WEB)
Point out that Elihu begins by telling the people that God is never wicked and never does wrong. Ask the children to say, “God is good,” together before you move on.
Job 34:21-22
21 “For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings. 22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.
(WEB)
Show the children that God sees everything we do, even in the dark. Explain that this can be comforting, because God is always watching over His children with care.
Job 34:28
So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.
(WEB)
Tell the children that God hears when people are hurting and cry out for help. Ask them to think of a time when they felt sad, and remind them that God hears them too.
Talk About It
- What do you think Elihu wanted everyone to remember about God?
- How does it feel to know that God sees everything we do?
- Why do you think God wants to hear when people are sad or hurting?
- What is one thing you could say to God when you feel confused?
- How can you show that you trust God is good, even when things are hard?
Activity Ideas
Scales of Fairness Craft
You will need paper plates, string, a pencil, and some cotton balls or small beads. Punch two holes near the edge of each plate, tie the strings together at the top, and hang the plates from a pencil held between two chairs. Let the children place the same number of cotton balls on each plate and talk about how God always keeps things fair and balanced.
Watch and Whisper Game
Have the children stand in a circle. One child, called the Watcher, closes their eyes while another child hides a small object somewhere in the room. The Watcher opens their eyes and tries to find it while the other children softly hum a tune. Afterward, talk about how nothing is hidden from God, and how He always sees us and cares for us.
Trust Card for Home
Give each child an index card and some crayons. Ask them to draw a picture of something that reminds them God is good and fair, such as a sunny sky or a friend helping someone. Have them write or dictate the words “God is good and fair” on the back. They can place the card on the kitchen table or beside their bed as a reminder during the week.
Teacher Notes
For adults, this chapter shows Elihu speaking boldly about God’s justice while also gently challenging Job’s bitterness. It reminds us that God sees every person equally, and that He hears the cries of the afflicted. Adults can take comfort that God’s character is steady even when our circumstances are not.
Be careful not to suggest to children that every hard thing happening to someone is a punishment for sin. Job’s story itself shows that suffering can come for reasons we cannot fully understand. Keep the focus on God’s goodness and faithfulness, not on blaming the person who is suffering.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are always good and always fair. Help us to remember that You see us and hear us when we cry out to You. When we do not understand what is happening, help us to trust You. Amen.
