Hello again. Parents, how are you? Hanging in there on a prayer? Yeah, me too. But there is light at the end of the tunnel, and I feel like we’re far enough inside that tunnel to see some light. Until then, I thank God for the many churches offering online worship services. If your church hasn’t done this, I invite you to join in worship with Chapel Hill Baptist Church here.
Right before COVID-19 came to our country, I started reading the Book of Job. No reason other than that’s where I am in going through the Bible. However, this put Job’s story fresh on my mind and reminded me of how he endured a lot of hardship at one time like many people today due to the coronavirus. Through it all, Job remained faithful to God – a great lesson for everyone today.
Toddlers and Preschoolers
Explain:
A lot has happened since we started staying home. People have had birthdays, and changed the way they work and how they go out to get things. We have all made changes that are hard, but some people have seen really hard changes. Many people can’t work right now, and some people have had family members and friends die, even if they didn’t get the virus.
No matter what happens, we can know that God is in control. That doesn’t mean life is always easy or we get everything the way we want. This past month has proven that. An Old Testament man named Job lost everything he had, including his health, and still loved God. Today, we will see what Job went through and learn how we can trust God in uncertain times.
Read or Watch:
Start by reading the story of Job in a child’s Bible storybook or watch it here.
Discuss:
- What made you feel the saddest for Job? What has made you feel the saddest about what we are going through now? (Parents: Some of your families have more stresses than others during this time. Allow your child to discuss anything about your unique situation that might really trouble him or her.)
- What made Job so different from many others was his faith in God. He refused to say God was bad or give up on loving God even when bad things happened. How can we do the same?
- Draw a picture of what you think it was like for Job to get back all he had before and much more. Thank God that we will get to see the people we love and do the things we love again. Draw another picture of what you want to do most of all when we can go out again.
Pray:
Dear God, thank You for being there for us in good times and in bad. Thank You for our family and for all You do to protect us and show us love each day. Amen.
Elementary Kids
Explain:
A lot has happened since we started staying home. The virus hasn’t stopped people from having birthdays or needing groceries. It has, however, changed the way we respond to those things. Instead of going to parties, people drive by and wave at the birthday boy or girl. And going to the store involves masks and not always finding what we need. We have all made changes that are hard, but some people have seen really hard changes. Many people can’t work right now, and some people have had family members and friends die, even if they didn’t get the virus.
No matter what happens, we can know that God is in control. That doesn’t mean life is always easy or we get everything the way we want. This past month has proven that. An Old Testament man named Job lost everything he had, including his health, and still loved God. Today, we will see what Job went through and learn how we can trust God in uncertain times.
Read or Watch:
Have your child read the story of Job in a child’s Bible storybook or watch it here.
Discuss:
- What made you feel the saddest for Job? What has made you feel the saddest about what we are going through now? (Parents: Some of your families have more stress than others during this time. Allow your child to discuss anything about your unique situation that might really trouble him or her.)
- What made Job so different from many others was his faith in God. He refused to say God was bad or give up on loving God even when bad things happened. How can we do the same?
- Draw a picture of what you think it was like for Job to get back all he had before and much more. Thank God that we will get to see the people we love and do the things we love again. Draw another picture of what you want to do most of all when we can go out again. If your picture includes a friend or family member, think about mailing it to them with a message.
Pray:
Dear God, thank You for being there for us in good times and in bad. Thank You for our family and for all You do to protect us and show us love each day. Amen.
Teenagers
Explain:
So far, we’ve talked a lot about staying at home and the weirdness of missing out on what’s around us. Today we’re going to talk more about loss. FOMO meets real life when we aren’t allowed – even by the government – to experience some of the things we’ve looked forward to for a long time. Seniors especially feel robbed of their last months in high school. It’s one thing to know you can play a sport or go to a prom in the future, but for some this year was it. And that’s hard.
The good news is that no matter what stage of life we’re in, God can redeem whatever was lost and bless us in the future. Today, we’re going to study Job. You know all about how he lost everything and several of his friends told him to give up on God. But Job didn’t, and God blessed him for it.
Read:
Have your child read Job 1 and Job 42 in his or her Bible or online here. Feel free to read more of Job, as all the chapters in between deal with Job refusing to give up on God after his friends tell him to do so.
Discuss:
- Job had it bad. He lost everything he owned as well as all of his children. Then, he lost his health (see Job 2). Many of us have lost something during this time. How does that make you feel? Have you gotten mad at God about it?
- While many of us have lost memories never to be made and milestones we can’t call back, others have lost even more. Some have lost family members and friends – virus related or not – while others have lost jobs and their own good health. Think of how they must feel and how you can encourage them to trust God in difficulties (unlike Job’s friends!).
- Journal about how you feel during this time. It’s okay to tell God if you’re upset or mad about something. Then, think about the future. What can you look forward to beyond COVID-19 and the times we currently face? Thank God for His faithfulness to restore what we have lost.
Pray:
Dear God, thank You for always loving us. Thank You for always being with us, especially in times when it doesn’t feel like You’re there. Help us to encourage one another and to keep our faith in You. Amen.
*If you want more Bible studies, check it out the Noah lesson here, the Joseph lesson here, the Esther lesson here, the Passover lesson here, the Moses lesson here and the Adam and Eve lesson here.