This lesson teaches children that God is far greater than we are, and that He hears and cares for His people even when we cannot see Him. It works well for ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes, including the story, Bible reading, and activity.
Big Idea
God is higher than the sky, and He always hears us when we call to Him. We cannot make Him bigger or smaller by what we do.
Memory Verse
Job 35:5
Look to the heavens, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you.
(WEB)
Stand tall with your arms stretched high above your head, then slowly point up to the ceiling as you say the verse together. Pointing up reminds children that God is higher than everything we can see.
The Story: Job 35 for Kids
A man named Elihu had been listening to his friend Job talk about his troubles. Job had been asking hard questions, and he wanted to know why things were going so badly for him. Elihu felt that he needed to speak up and share what he thought about God.
Elihu looked at Job and asked him a question. He wondered if Job thought he was more right than God. Elihu wanted Job to think carefully about how big God is compared to people.
Then Elihu told everyone to look up at the sky. The sky is so high above us, far higher than any person can reach. Elihu said that God is even higher than the sky, and He is far greater than any of us.
Elihu also talked about people who cry out for help because they are being treated unfairly by powerful people. He said that God hears these cries. Elihu reminded everyone that God does not ignore a true cry for help from someone who needs Him.
Elihu said that some people never ask, “Where is God, who made us?” He said that God is the one who gives songs in the night and makes us wiser than the animals. Elihu wanted everyone to remember that God is our Maker and that He is good to us.
Read It Together
Job 35:10-11
10 But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, 11 who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’
(WEB)
Point out that God is the one who makes songs in the night and teaches us. Ask the children what they might sing to God when they feel scared or sad at night.
Job 35:13
Surely God will not hear an empty cry, neither will the Almighty regard it.
(WEB)
Explain that God hears the cries of His people and does not ignore them. Help the children see that prayer is never an empty cry when we talk to God.
Job 35:14
How much less when you say you don’t see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him!
(WEB)
Remind the children that even when we cannot see God, He sees us and knows what we need. Encourage them to wait for Him with trust, just as Elihu said.
Talk About It
- What is something in the sky that reminds you how high God is?
- Why do you think God wants us to call out to Him when we need help?
- What is a song you could sing to God when you feel scared at night?
- How does it make you feel to know that God made you and knows you?
- What is one thing you can ask God for today, even if you cannot see Him?
Activity Ideas
Sky Picture Craft
You will need blue construction paper, crayons or markers, cotton balls, and glue. Have each child draw a tall picture of the sky at the top of the paper and glue cotton balls on as clouds. Then have them write or draw one way God is higher than they are. Talk together about how the sky reminds us of how great God is.
Reach for the Sky Game
Gather the children in an open space and ask them to stretch as tall as they can. Call out things like “Reach like the sky,” “Hide like a small bird,” or “Wave like a child praying.” Each time, the children move with the words, and you can end by having everyone reach up high while you say the memory verse together.
Night Song Reminder
You will need index cards, a pencil, and a small bag or envelope. Have each child write or draw a simple song or word of praise on a card to take home. Encourage them to look at it at bedtime and say a short prayer to God, reminding them that He hears them in the night.
Teacher Notes
Elihu’s words show that God is far above us in power, wisdom, and holiness. Our sins and our goodness do not change God in the way that they change people, and He is not harmed or helped by what we do. At the same time, the passage affirms that God hears the cries of those who suffer and that He is the Maker who gives songs in the night.
Avoid telling children that God always answers prayers the way they want or that trouble will disappear when they pray. Keep the focus on God’s greatness and faithfulness, and let children know that trusting Him is a good response even when we do not understand what is happening.
A Prayer to Close
Dear God, thank You that You are higher than the sky and bigger than anything we can imagine. Thank You that You hear us when we call to You, even at night. Help us trust You every day, and help us remember that You made us and always care for us. Amen.
