Job’s suffering
key words
biblical reference
Job 1:1-22; 2:1-10
lesson objective
To learn that God is in control of all situations, regardless of how difficult they seem.
memory verse
“I can do all this through [Christ] who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13, NIV*).
prepare yourself to teach
We all know, whether you are an adult or child, life is not always fair. Many times, students will become very discouraged and wonder why they have to go through such problems. It is important that they understand that every person in the world goes through things that are hard, and encounter complicated situations that need to be resolved. Some of these are results of our own decisions, and some occur simply because we live in a sinful world.
The students need to understand that as Christians, we need to have a different attitude towards our problems. We serve a sovereign God who has control over the whole world. However, he still gives us the freedom of choice. Therefore, Christians suffer consequences for their own wrong decisions as well as adverse effects of others’ bad choices. Whatever the reason for the problem, Christians should trust God and recognize that he has infinite power.
biblical commentary
Read Job 1:1-22 and 2:1-10. The divine court was in session and Satan entered and told God that Job was a just man only because he had been blessed with so many material goods. He accused God of buying Job’s loyalty, and told him that if he took everything from him, Job would curse God. The Lord, confident in Job’s pure heart, accepted Satan’s challenge and permitted him to test Job’s loyalty. But God put a limit on the actions of Satan.
So all of a sudden, Job lost nearly everything: his children, possessions, flocks, heath and his prestige. But throughout these trials, he continued to trust in God. During his long tests, Job never turned away from God.
The important part of this story is Job’s reaction when faced with a terrible situation. Throughout these lessons, God wants to show us how to confide in him and bear through trials like this by leaning on him.
introduce the lesson
Problems!
For this activity, we suggest that you provide molding clay or play-dough. Have the students make something that represents the kinds of problems they encounter. (Example: a heart if they face emotional problems, a tomb if they recently lost a family member, etc.)
Let each student that wants to explain what they made and what it means to the rest of the group.
Why do people suffer?
Ask a volunteer to help distribute Student Activity Sheet #323-A to the other students.
Then ask: “Why do bad things happen to Christians?”
Let them talk about the headlines that appear in student activity sheet for this lesson.
Tell them: “We cannot figure out why all of these tragedies happen. In today’s Bible story, we will learn about a person who loved God. Nevertheless, terrible tragedies happened in his life.”
teach the lesson
Ask the students to take turns reading aloud the story of Job 1:1-22 and 2:1-10.
If you wish, they can write on the blackboard a list of all the tragedies that happened to Job, from the loss of his earthly possessions to the terrible sickness that came upon him.
Be alert to what the students are doing and talking about in case any doubts or problems come up between classmates.
Ask the students to take turns reading aloud the story of Job 1:1-22 and 2:1-10, whether it is from the Bible or from the student resources worksheet.
If you wish, they can write on the board a list of all the tragedies that happened to Job, from the loss of his earthly possessions to the terrible sickness that came upon him.
Be alert to what the students are doing and talking about in case any doubts or problems come up between classmates.
connect the lesson
How did Job react?
Direct the students’ attention to Student Activity Sheets #323-B and #323-C. Ask them to underline the verses that show Job’s reactions to the bad news and bad things that happened to him.
Then ask, “How do you think you would’ve reacted if those things had happened to you? Would you have shown as much faith as Job?”
Remind them that the most important part of this story is that no matter what terrible things happened to Job, he never lost faith in God.
practice the memory verse
Tear papers into strips and write one word of the verse on each of them. (It may be easiest for this exercise to just use whole pieces of paper, or even half, and write one word per sheet.) Fold them in half. Invite everyone who wants to participate. Have each child choose a piece of paper and tape them up on the board in the correct order.
wrap-up
Pray
Review Philippians 4:13, and challenge the students to repeat it when they are feeling downtrodden or when their problems seem to be overtaking them. Guide them in prayer and intercede for their requests on their behalf. If possible, start a “Prayer Wall” (or chart) where they can write their prayer requests and the answers to their prayers.
Encourage
Thank the group for their faithful attendance and encourage them to trust God during difficult times. Be sure the children know that you care about them and entrust them into the hands of God.
Invite
At dismissal, share some insights about the next session and make sure you invite them to come. Tell them that their friends are also welcome.
* Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™