Connecting Job to Jesus
“Jesus is the true and better Job. He’s the truly innocent sufferer who then intercedes for and saves His stupid friends.”
–Timothy Keller
Though it appears as the eighteenth book in the Old Testament—preceding Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes—the Book of Job is set in the period of the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Groups using The Gospel Project for Kids will encounter Job’s story as the fifth session of the chronological study.
The story of Job will likely be unfamiliar to kids. The Book of Job is long—42 chapters—and is a book of dramatic poetry. But like the rest of God’s Word, it is significant. From Job we learn how God uses suffering in our lives, and we are led to join Job in wrestling with the question, Why?
One resource I have found extremely helpful in my study of the Bible is Talk Thru the Bible by Bruce Wilkinson and Kenneth Boa. Their commentary surmises that “the basic question of the book is, Why do the righteous suffer if God is loving and all-powerful?”
Remember, Job’s three friends all had theories about why Job suffered. Eliphaz argued, “If you sin, you suffer. Only the wicked suffer.” Bildad suggested, “You must be sinning.” Zophar concluded, “You are sinning.” It was Elihu who called on Job to humble himself and submit to God, for God often uses suffering to test and teach us.
Job refers to a Redeemer (19:25-27) and requests a Mediator (9:33; 25:4; 33:23). Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and Mediator. He was truly innocent, yet He suffered greatly for your sake and mine. God’s sovereign purpose makes sense of seemingly senseless acts like Job’s suffering and Jesus’ cross. Through the righteous suffering of one man—Jesus—there is life-giving justification for all. (Romans 5:18)
As you teach kids the story of Job, help them walk away knowing that God is all-powerful, sovereign, and good—even when life is hard. Everything God does is for His glory and our good, suffering included.
Where do you find answers for the Word search?
The Gospel Project does a great job on emphasizing God’s holiness, sovereignty and grace. Teaching Job in a younger kids class is usually never done, but the Gospel Project does it right! Making the connection to Jesus Christ is something even most adult classes miss. Looking forward to the Lord’s Day tomorrow and seeing how God will use this lesson on Job. Thanks and may the Lord bless you!
Follow-up from yesterday’s lesson on Job: went great! The lesson focused on God’s sovereignty in all things, good or bad. My kids in Sunday School got it, and are totally comfortable with the fact that God is in control of everything. I opened with reading Romans 8:28-39. Kids were receptive and seem to understand the point that the sovereignty of God is a comfort and glorifies our Lord. Good Christ Connection in this lesson. Job suffered thru no fault of his own, and God was glorified. Jesus was the perfect, sinless, suffering servant who died on the cross for the sins of His people. God the Father used the horrible murder of Jesus Christ to save a people unto Himself and bring Him glory.
Is there a contact email address that people can use, instead of posting questions on the blog?
Tanya, you can email us at thegospelproject@lifeway.com
Hello, I paid for the electronic book and I am trying to sign in to my account to access it. The website says it does not recognize the email I submitted. I would like to print copies of the student book so I am ready to lead the session. Could someone email me. Thank You.
Where would I find the “All Powerful” video?
Our teacher materials are still on backorder and I don’t see it online.
Thank you.