Job’s Story: The Book of Job
We believe that spiritual development happens in the home as well as at church. We hope that these ideas will help you engage as a family. It’s designed to help you connect with your child about the lesson they had this past week. Use all the ideas one night, or spread them out throughout the week. Enjoy!
- ACTIVITY items needed: Bible
This week your kids learned a lesson on friendship from the story of Job. Job was at the lowest point in his life and was hoping his friends would help him through. Unfortunately, instead of helping him, they actually made it worse. They told him that his pain and suffering was his own fault and that he must have done something to make God very mad at him. Job’s friends didn’t stop and think about what they were saying and how it would affect Job. Talk to your child about the importance of thinking before you speak. Train them to ask these questions:
T - is it true?
H - is it helpful?
I - is it inspiring?
N - is it necessary?
K - is it kind?
- Activity items needed: Small Mirror
Give the kids a small hand mirror.
When you look in the mirror, do you see someone who is a good friend? Each time you look in the mirror, remind yourself of the qualities that a TFF has.
- Activity items needed: Bibles
Read Job 2:11-13 as a family. A TFF “True Friend Forever” listens. Talk about the im portance of being a good listener. Job’s friends did one thing right when they came to see him. They stood beside him and waited until he was ready to talk. Sometimes, our friends need us to give advice, and sometimes they need us to stand beside them and just listen. Play a game of “Silence!” as a family. Have someone shout “Silence!” and ask everyone to remain quiet. Try and make other family members laugh by making funny faces and acting out, without making any noise yourself. The first person who talks or makes a noise, loses the round.
- Activity items needed: Post it notes, Bibles
Read Colossians 3:12-14. What are some of the character traits that we’re supposed to “put on?” As you name each one, write it on a sticky note and stick it to your child. Take a picture of him wearing the sticky notes and display it somewhere where he can be reminded of the character traits of a TFF!
- KNOW YOUR BIBLE items needed: Bibles
Proverbs 17:17 NIRV
A friend loves at all times. He is there to help when trouble comes.
-When does a friend love his friend?
Proverbs 18:24 NIRV
Even a man who has many companions can be destroyed. But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
-What do we need to do to have a friend?
-Who can be our best friend?
Colossians 3:12-14 NIRV
You are God's chosen people. You are holy and dearly loved. So put on tender mercy and kindness as if they were your clothes. Don't be proud. Be gentle and patient. 13 Put up with each other. Forgive the things you are holding against one another. Forgive, just as the Lord forgave you. And over all of those good things put on love. Love holds them all together perfectly as if they were one.
-What happens to a friendship if we neglect one of these traits?
- CRAFT items needed: Rulers, Gold Spray Paint, Permanent Markers, Craft Paint, Paper Plates, Bibles
You will need a ruler for each child. Beforehand, spray paint all the rulers gold. Give each child a ruler and a permanent marker.
In order to have a TFF, you have to be a TFF. Do you know what the “Golden Rule” is? This rule is found in the Bible in Luke 6:31. Everyone will look it up and read the verse together. What do you think that verse means? Is it just for adults? What does that look like for kids? How do you live it out?
The kids will write Luke 6:31 on their ruler. Then, also have them write, “To have a TFF, you have to be a TFF.”
Add polka-dots to decorate the ruler. Place very, very small amounts of different colors of craft paint on some paper plates. (A little smear the size of your little finger is enough.) You can make nice dots by dipping the end of a paintbrush (not the brush end) into a little bit of craft paint and then touching it to the surface you want to decorate.
- Scripture Memory
Philippians 3:8-9a (NIRV)
“Even more, I consider everything to be nothing compared to knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. To know him is the best thing of all. Because of him I have lost everything. But I consider all of it to be garbage so I can get to know Christ. I want to be joined to him.“
- Thought for the week
WE CAN HONOR GOD BY BEING A TRUE FRIEND TO OTHERS