Children’s Message on Job 38 on “God is in control even in the hardest times”
Main Objective: The account of Job reminds us that God is in control, even when life is challenging. Job’s encounter with God is a remarkable conversation that highlights the power and might of our awesome Lord. There are a lot of things we don’t understand, but God cares for us and holds all things in His hands. This message comforts us with the reminder that He knows all and can do all, and that out of His great love, He will take care of us.
Law/Gospel Theme: It’s tough to understand why we experience pain and suffering. We wonder why a loving God would allow it. Job experienced great suffering, but trusted that God was in control even in the hardest times. God doesn’t want us to go through hardship, but it happens because of sin. We know He is walking with us through whatever we face, and that because of Christ, we have hope of a better future. This passage of Job might make God seem scary or incomprehensible. But it should really be encouraging to know that He is master and ruler of all. We can be in awe of His power, and remember that it comes with great love!
Job 38:1-7, 38-41 Children’s Sermon- God Spoke to Job
Optional Materials: Pictures/diagrams that show things we might have trouble understanding (complex body systems, electrical or architectural plans, the inside of equipment, etc.).
Bible Passage: Job 38:1-7, 38-41
Message: Note: As with most messages, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs. Use your judgment and ideas to best serve students.
Greet children, and talk about things that are hard to understand…
Hello, children of God!
Are there things in your life that you find difficult to understand? There are a lot of things that are hard to comprehend. There are probably items that your parents help you with. But there are some situations we encounter that are tough even for adults, and require the help of more expert authorities. For instance, do you know what this is? Hold up diagram of car parts. Note: the examples given here are a few potential things that could be used to demonstrate complex topics, but there are many others. Use whatever might work best for you. Do you know what this is? It’s a picture of car parts. Now, a picture like this can show me basic labels, but I don’t really understand it all that well, and if I didn’t have the image, I wouldn’t know much about the inside of my car. I couldn’t just use this if I needed to fix something. However, if I take my car to a mechanic, they’ll understand these things and know what my car needs. Or how about this one? Hold up another diagram. This shows the inside of the human circulatory system, which controls the flow of blood inside the body. I don’t know it that well, but if I needed help with a heart problem, I would visit a doctor who would be an expert in body systems and know how to work on me. Or here’s one more…this is a special housing blueprint. I can’t make much sense of it, but if I was building or working on a house, I’d trust an architect or construction worker who can grasp these things to read and interpret it.
We trust people who know more than us, and we know they can give us assistance when we need it. Teachers, mechanics, surgeons, architects…they’ve all had schooling and experience to know more than we do. As kids, hopefully our parents know how to take care of us and answer confusing questions we have. But we also know someone else who is an expert on everything there is to know. Who do you think that might be? God, of course! He knows all there is and He is capable of anything. Of course, God is the creator and ruler of the universe. He knows more than we can imagine, and He wants to help us. Even when things are difficult or uncertain, we can trust Him.
In the Old Testament, we read about a man named Job, who went through some very challenging circumstances. He lost just about everything he had, and he was ready to give up. He wondered why so much was happening to him and cried out to God. Then Job had a remarkable encounter with the Lord. God came to him and basically reminded him that HE was in control. God was there from the beginning, almight and omnipotent. He set the Earth into motion and commanded the weather, actions of man, and all things. God knew what was going on. There were reasons for suffering that were beyond Job’s comprehension, but God was still with Him. Eventually, things improved for Job.
But what about us? Can we trust in God no matter what? Of course we can! God is always in control. Even when we don’t know why things are happening, even when life seems extremely tough, God isn’t hiding. He’s not absent or taking a nap. He is still with us, whether we see or feel Him or not. He is awesome and powerful, which should give us joy and reverence. But He also loves and cares for us as His children. God doesn’t want to see us hurting. Even though it happens sometimes, we can still trust in Him. We can pray and ask for comfort and peace in the midst of trials, and give our problems to God. He is the expert, and all things are in His hands.
Why don’t we say a prayer now to ask for God’s help with trust in His power?
Prayer:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for your power and might
You are strong and amazing
Help me to trust in you
Even when things are hard to understand.
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Job 38:1-7, 38-41 Meaning for Kids
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
7 when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
“Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
that a flood of waters may cover you?
35 Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go
and say to you, ‘Here we are’?
36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts
or given understanding to the mind?
37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom?
Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens,
38 when the dust runs into a mass
and the clods stick fast together?
39 “Can you hunt the prey for the lion,
or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
40 when they crouch in their dens
or lie in wait in their thicket?
41 Who provides for the raven its prey,
when its young ones cry to God for help,
and wander about for lack of food? -Job 38:1-7, 34-41