Job trusts God despite his problems
key words
bible reference
Job 1-2; 5; 15; 19; 36; 41-42
lesson objective
To help the children learn to trust God in the midst of difficulties.
memory verse
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5, NIV*).
prepare yourself to teach
The book of Job is named after its main character.
Job lived in the land of Uz. He was an extremely rich man who had many cattle, servants and children. This story contains themes that people often reflect on. The wisdom of this book is an invitation to depend completely on God, even in the most desperate circumstances, and not to rely on possessions, riches, health or well-being.
When we read the calamities that happened to this man, it is normal to ask: “How is it possible that a just God has allowed something like this to happen to a righteous man?” But, as we read the story, we understand that Job’s faith was being tested and, in spite of the terrible circumstances, this man had an unwavering trust in God.
Job had a righteous life before God all the time. Although he enjoyed the security of wealth for a period, in an instant he lost everything he possessed. In addition, he suffered emotionally and physically. He lost everything: family, home, livestock, health and wealth. But in the midst of that storm, Job recognized God as the Creator and sustainer of life. “God gave, God removed. Let the name of the LORD be exalted “(Job 1:21). This is a powerful declaration of the power and grace of God.
When, like Job, we recognize that everything belongs to God, we can face the most difficult situations, knowing that what we are does not depend on material things, health or family. We can trust God knowing that all things are under his control.
adaptation
Preschoolers live in a world in which calamity or inexplicable disasters occur. They fear the unknown and wonder what will happen in the future. A businessman filed for bankruptcy and two weeks later was looking for a new job. The first question his five-year-old son asked was, “Dad, are we going to have food?” This child understood that due to lack of work, they might suffer.
His father’s response was: “Can you see the birds in the trees? God feeds them every day. So God will never leave us without food, we are more valuable than birds.”
Pray and ask the Lord to help you convey that confidence to your children. Help them recognize that God is the Creator of everything and he has absolute control over all circumstances.
introduce the lesson
Trust
Write the word “TRUST” on the blackboard, whiteboard or a poster board in very large letters.
On a table covered with a plastic tablecloth or newspaper, put Play-Doh or molding clay and wooden sticks. Ask the children to try to use those materials try to make some of the letters they see on the blackboard.
As they work, remind them that all the Bible characters in this unit trusted God. Join the letters they have made to form the word TRUST and put it in a visible place.
teach the lesson
Use some activities to help children have a better understanding of the biblical truth.
Job trusts in God
Job loved God and trusted Him. God had blessed Job in many ways. He gave him a wife, seven sons and three daughters. He also had many workers and thousands of animals, a large house and many riches.
But one day many bad things started to happen to Job. All his children died, as did his animals and servants. He also lost all his possessions.
Job felt very sad. He tore his clothes, sat on ashes and wept bitterly. However, he knew that God had not left him and said, “Although many bad things have happened to me, I love God and I trust in Him. I know he is not to blame for all this.”
Instead of things getting better, Job became very sick. Many sores covered his body and made him feel very bad. Job’s wife was tired of the bad things and became bitter. She said, “Everything that happens to you is terrible, you should forget about God.”
Job knew this was not right. He said, “Sometimes good things happen to us; other times, bad things happen to us, but I have chosen to trust in God all the time, despite the circumstances.”
Some of Job’s friends came to see him without encouraging him. One of them said, “You should talk to God about all that has happened to you.” Another friend said, “If you are a righteous man, you must ask God to help you.” A third friend told him, “Bad things happen to people who have done something wrong.” Job listened attentively to his friends, but everything they said made him feel even sadder. Yet, he continued to trust in God.
When Job’s friends finished speaking, someone said, “God is great.” Job heard the words that this man said. All along, God was watching and listening. Finally, God spoke to Job. God did not leave Job, even when many bad things happened to him. For his faithfulness, God blessed Job again and gave him more animals, riches and workers than before. He also had more children and lived happily for a long time.
connect the lesson
Very sad!
Hand out Student Activity Sheet #78-A and #78-B. Give each child a piece of cardboard or thick paper. Allow time for them to write their name and trace the word of faith of the unit (trust). Remind them that trusting is believing that God will do what he has promised. Help the children cut out the name strip, the word of faith and the three circles. Then help the children stick them on the piece of cardboard and decorate it as you wish. Use this sheet to review the Bible story.
Tell them to take it home to tell Job’s story to family and friends. Remind them to pray for and encourage family and friends who are sick.
practice the memory verse
For this activity you will need tape and a chair. Stick a strip of tape on the floor. Then put a chair at the other end of the room. Remove any obstacle that could keep the children from doing this exercise. Place the children in front of the tape and give the following instructions: “Let’s walk to where our guest is. When we get there, we will go around the chair and jump five times saying the memory verse. Are you ready?” Repeat the exercise a couple of times. Then ask them to sit on the floor and ask them: “Why do you think we took five jumps?” (Listen to the answers.) “How many biblical characters did we study in this unit?” (Five) “Can you tell me who they were?” (Deborah, Gideon, the Shunammite woman, Naaman, and Job).
Ask: "What do these people have in common?" (They trusted God.) Say: "Let's say our memory verse together: 'Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding' (Proverbs 3:5)".
wrap-up
Pray
Finish with a prayer and remind your children that they can trust God at all times.
Encourage
Make sure the children take home their work. Encourage the children to pray with thanksgiving for God’s answers to prayer during the past few weeks.
Invite
Thank everyone for attending today’s session and make a special mention of those who attended throughout the unit. Tell them that in the next session they will begin a new unit of lessons.
* 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.™