Use this free children’s sermon and Sunday School Bible lesson for kids when teaching on Job’s encounter with God where he hears about God’s creative power in making all the animals. Don’t miss the related Bible craft ideas on this Bible story.
Animals of Every Kind – Biblical Beasts: Job Hears of God’s Wonders
Main Objective: The account of Job’s life is an amazing story of trusting God in the midst of suffering. However, it’s also a powerful reminder that we can’t always understand God’s will and ways in our lives. At the end of the book of Job, we read a lengthy description of God’s might and control over all of creation. In this, God also highlighted many of His remarkable animals. If God has power over the animals that He made, and knows them, we can rest assured that He knows and loves His people even more! We can trust Him to have dominion over our lives.
Law/Gospel Theme: In Job we see a man who suffered greatly, for no fault of his own, and was later lifted up by God. In Jesus, too, we have a figure who suffered not by His own fault, and was lifted up. The Job account also reminds us of how huge and utterly unfathomable God is. Yet despite that, He wants a relationship with each of us, and loves us dearly.
Note: This lesson is the third in a series on “Biblical Beasts,” remarkable stories of animals that God used in various ways. Job offers remarkable descriptions of creatures that God made, examples of His power on display.
Optional Materials: Pictures of animals or stuffed animal representations.
Bible Passage: Job 38-41 (selected verses, depending on emphasis and need)
Happy Birthday, Church! — Acts 2:1–21 lesson with printable activities for ages 6–12.
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.
Greet children, and talk about animals…
Hello, children of God!
What is your favorite animal? Do you like dogs, cats, maybe sheep or pigs? What do you like about those animals? Hold up pictures of stuffed animals of several things, and take answers. You know, God made a lot of wonderful creatures. Just looking at the variety of all the unique animals He made is inspiring. And there are some bizarre ones, too. Just look at animals like the platypus, or the long-necked giraffe, or the big hippo, and you can see how creative God is! His power and might control every one of those animals. At the same time, though, God loves people most of all. We are His crowning creation, and He cares for each and every person. It’s wild to think about that. That’s a comforting thought for us, too, especially in a world where things can feel out of our control and power.
In the Bible, we read about a man who encountered God and heard about His power over creation. This man was named Job, and his story is in the book of Job. Job went through a lot of difficult trials in his life. God allowed him to go through difficult circumstances, but through all of it, Job trusted the Lord. Job lost his wealth, his children, and even his physical health. He was in great pain and sorrow, but still believed that God was with him. He didn’t understand what God was doing, though.
After going through a lot of hardship, Job had an encounter with God. God came to him and reminded him of His great power. God described for Job all of the mighty wonders He does throughout nature and creation, describing His strength and omniscience over all things. Job recalled how small and insignificant he was by comparison. God also detailed several specific animals that He made, including horses, birds, and wild creatures. He described a huge behemoth (which might be a sort of dinosaur or a hippopotamus), and a leviathan, which was like a sea monster or even a dragon. These creatures are really in the Bible! God’s Word describes them, and reminds us of all that God can do. And yet, with all of those remarkable beasts, and with all of God’s power, He cares about us as people. He cared about Job, enough to come and speak with him. And He restored Job, bringing back his health and even providing more children for him. If God can do that, imagine what He can do for us?
Sample lesson from the 9-week series — ready to print for ages 6–12.
+ PreK version (ages 3-5)And He continues to work for and with us in mighty ways. He loves us more than anything else He has made, and He is in control of our lives. Even when we don’t understand what and why He is doing, He is with us. He will always be with us and always care for us. We can trust in Him! And when we see animals that we like, or animals that are unique and special, we can recall how much He has done, and how He has power over us and all creation.
Let’s pray now and thank God for His might and control.
Prayer:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for the wonders of your creation.
Thank you for amazing animals,
And for caring for us most of all.
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Bible Verses/story to Reference:
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
Happy Birthday, Church! — Acts 2:1–21 lesson with printable activities for ages 6–12.
when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
“Can you hunt the prey for the lion,
or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
when they crouch in their dens
or lie in wait in their thicket?
Who provides for the raven its prey,
when its young ones cry to God for help,
and wander about for lack of food?
“Do you give the horse his might?
Do you clothe his neck with a mane?
Do you make him leap like the locust?
His majestic snorting is terrifying.
He paws in the valley and exults in his strength;
he goes out to meet the weapons.
He laughs at fear and is not dismayed;
he does not turn back from the sword.
Upon him rattle the quiver,
the flashing spear, and the javelin.
With fierceness and rage he swallows the ground;
he cannot stand still at the sound of the trumpet.
When the trumpet sounds, he says ‘Aha!’
He smells the battle from afar,
the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
“Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars
and spreads his wings toward the south?
Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up
and makes his nest on high?
On the rock he dwells and makes his home,
on the rocky crag and stronghold.
From there he spies out the prey;
his eyes behold it from far away.
His young ones suck up blood,
and where the slain are, there is he.”
“Behold, Behemoth,
which I made as I made you;
he eats grass like an ox.
Behold, his strength in his loins,
and his power in the muscles of his belly.
He makes his tail stiff like a cedar;
the sinews of his thighs are knit together.
His bones are tubes of bronze,
his limbs like bars of iron.
“Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook
or press down his tongue with a cord?
Can you put a rope in his nose
or pierce his jaw with a hook?
His back is made of rows of shields,
shut up closely as with a seal.
One is so near to another
that no air can come between them.
They are joined one to another;
they clasp each other and cannot be separated.
His sneezings flash forth light,
and his eyes are like the eyelids of the dawn.
Out of his mouth go flaming torches;
sparks of fire leap forth.
Out of his nostrils comes forth smoke,
as from a boiling pot and burning rushes.
His breath kindles coals,
and a flame comes forth from his mouth.
In his neck abides strength,
and terror dances before him.
-Job 38:1-7, 39-41; 39:19-30; 40:15-18
Biblical Beasts: Job’s Encounter with God
Sunday School Lesson on God’s Power and Creativity
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 lesson 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. This passage also features descriptions of some amazing animals and elements of God’s creation.
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!
This lesson is the third in a series on Biblical beasts, animals that God used as part of His special plans for His people. The last chapters of Job detail some animals that are familiar, as well as some wild and almost mythical-sounding creatures.
Passage: Job 38-41 (selected passages)
Target Audience: Kindergarten-6th grade (Modify as needed for varied ages)
Materials Needed: Play-doh, paper, writing utensils, Bibles, pictures of animals.
Lesson Opening: This lesson includes some great demonstrations of God’s power and creativity within His creation. Here are some openers to get kids thinking (select the best ones for your audience and age group):
- Fascinating Fact Hunt: Provide students with questions about the natural world, along with tools to find answers (internet, science magazines, etc.). Have them work to locate information about unique parts of the world around us and report facts back to the class. For younger students, talk about amazing things that God does, and bring in pieces of nature (shells, leaves, etc.) to explore and discuss.
- Creative Creatures: In Job 38, God reminds Job of the things He created. Some of these were unique animals. Play a game of pictionary or charades (or a combination of both) in which students act out or draw given animals for others to guess.
- Sculpt a Creature:Provide students with Play-doh, and invite them to make a sculpted animal from God’s creation, or to come up with their own sort of creature.
- Collaborative Critters: Provide groups of students with a long piece of paper. Fold the paper into four (or more) pieces. Have one student draw an animal head, fold the paper back, and pass it to the next person. That person will draw a torso, fold the paper, and pass it along for the legs and then feet. The final “animal” will be an unusual combination of parts!
Explain to students that today’s lesson is about trusting God and recognizing that He is our source of strength and ability.
Bible Lesson:
This passage mostly consists of God talking. It does not lend itself as much to role play, but could be an opportunity to act out some of the elements described, or merely discuss them. You might also read the passage dramatically out loud, or have students take turns reading. Choose the preferred reading method for your group ages and size.
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me. -Job 38:1-3
We often see God appear in a whirlwind, representing His power and mystery. For several chapters of Job, God has seemed silent, and Job wondered where He was. Here He answers in a powerful way. Job had been speaking with some of his friends, who had varying opinions about why he was experiencing suffering. It’s possible that God addressed the friends as well here, but likely the words are aimed mostly at Job. Note that God wouldn’t expect them to have the “words with knowledge” that would understand His will and ways. But they spoke of things they couldn’t comprehend, rather than recognizing that God’s ways are beyond our understanding.
Ask: What are some things about God that are hard to understand?
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy? -Job 38:4-7
God’s questions for Job were not meant to be answered. He couldn’t answer them, of course, because he was nowhere close when God created the earth’s foundations. These questions are a reminder of God’s power. Job was overwhelmed with God’s mysteries, but God is not supposed to be fully grasped or understood. Job didn’t really have a place to question Him. Now, these words might seem harsh, but they’re actually wonderful. Job had thought God abandoned him. Now he was hearing directly from the master of the universe, an assurance that God was still there and that He cared deeply.
Ask: Have you ever felt abandoned by God? What gave you comfort?
“Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
that a flood of waters may cover you?
Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go
and say to you, ‘Here we are’?
Who has put wisdom in the inward parts
or given understanding to the mind?
Who can number the clouds by wisdom?
Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heavens,
when the dust runs into a mass
and the clods stick fast together? -Job 38:34-38
Again, these are remarkable acts of God that Job had no ability to understand. He had no control over weather and wind. That was God’s business. Nowadays, we have learned through science a little more about things like storms. However, that doesn’t tell us everything we need to know. Science cannot explain the wondrous acts of God or why He does what He does. Knowledge can make us feel powerful, but ultimately God is still in control.
Ask: Do thunderstorms frighten you? Have you ever thought about seeing them as a display of God’s power?
The next section of passages describes some of the animals that God created. He described how the animals were unique and remarkable, yet designed and cared for by Him.
“Can you hunt the prey for the lion,
or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
when they crouch in their dens
or lie in wait in their thicket?
Who provides for the raven its prey,
when its young ones cry to God for help,
and wander about for lack of food? -Job 38:39-41
“Behold, Behemoth, which I made as I made you; he eats grass like an ox. Behold, his strength in his loins, and his power in the muscles of his belly. He makes his tail stiff like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are knit together. His bones are tubes of bronze, his limbs like bars of iron.
“Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook or press down his tongue with a cord? Can you put a rope in his nose or pierce his jaw with a hook? His back is made of rows of shields, shut up closely as with a seal. One is so near to another that no air can come between them. They are joined one to another; they clasp each other and cannot be separated. -Job 39:19-30, 40:15-18
*Fun fact notes: the behemoth might actually be a hippopotamus, some scholars believe. The leviathan is likely a dragon or sea serpent creature, or maybe even a type of dinosaur. These fantastic beasts are in the Bible!
God began by talking about the foundations of the earth and the sky. Then He moved closer and closer in, describing weather patterns and, here, animals. Job couldn’t even understand the animal kingdom, let alone all of God’s creations and abilities. God also reminded Job that He was the one who took care of those creatures. If He provided food to the birds, wouldn’t He also take care of His servant Job?
And He did! God provided for Job and restored to him health and family. God takes care of us, too, and gives us all that we need. He cares for us and values us even more than those animals. We are His children!
Review questions about the lesson:
- What animals amaze you? How do they demonstrate God’s skill?
- What helps you trust God, even when you don’t see or feel Him?
- How can you be creative and unique?
Close with prayer, thanking God for His power and care for creation.
