Weekly Lesson

Older Primary Lesson Plan

Week 33 · August 10–16 · Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42

Week 33

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What This Week Is About

The book of Job tells the story of a righteous man who lost everything, his animals, his home, his children, and his health, yet refused to stop trusting God. This week's lessons center on one powerful question: can we trust Heavenly Father even when life is very hard and we don't understand why? The answer Job gives us is yes, and he teaches us that Jesus Christ, our Redeemer, is the reason why.

Main Points To Teach

We can trust Heavenly Father no matter what happens. Job said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21). Even in terrible sadness, Job kept trusting.
Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and He lives. Job's most important testimony came during his hardest moment: "I know that my redeemer liveth" (Job 19:25). We can know this too.
Good friends lift us up when we are sad. Job's friends said hurtful things when he needed kindness. We can choose to be like Jesus, a friend who comforts, not criticizes.

What Is Happening In The Scripture Story

Job is a good, faithful man who suddenly loses his animals, his servants, and all ten of his children in one terrible day. Then he gets very sick with painful sores all over his body. Three friends come to comfort him, but instead of helping, they keep telling Job that God must be punishing him for doing something wrong. Job knows that isn't true and keeps asking God directly to explain. God finally answers, not with an explanation, but by showing Job the vast beauty and order of all creation. Job sees God in a new way and says, "Now mine eye seeth thee" (Job 42:5). His life is restored, and he lives in peace.

Why It Matters For Older Primary

Children ages 8–10 are beginning to notice that life isn't always fair, good kids sometimes get left out, families face hard things, and prayers don't always seem to be answered the way they hoped. Job gives them a real person who felt that same confusion and still chose to trust. This age group can also powerfully connect to the "good friend" theme: they know what it feels like when a friend says something hurtful versus something kind, and they're ready to decide what kind of friend they want to be.

Full Lesson Flow

Teaching Outline

Use the sections below as a menu. Swap cards and activities to keep the class interactive.

Week 33: "Yet Will I Trust in Him"

Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42 | August 10–16 Primary ages 8–10

Opening Connection

Before class, place a small rock and a feather on a table where children can see them.

As children settle in, ask: "Has something ever happened that felt really unfair, maybe at school, or in your family, or with a friend? You didn't do anything wrong, but something hard happened anyway." Let two or three children share briefly.

Then hold up the rock and say: "Today we're going to meet someone in the scriptures named Job. Job was one of the best, most faithful men who ever lived, and he had one of the hardest lives you've ever heard of. But here's the amazing thing: even when everything fell apart, he had something solid to hold onto. By the end of our lesson, I want you to know what that solid thing was."

Set the rock in front of the class and leave it visible throughout the lesson.

Scripture Discovery

Read together as a class or in partners:

"The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." , Job 1:21

Ask: "Job just lost all his animals, all his servants, and all ten of his children, in one day. What do you notice about what he says here? Does he sound angry at God? Does he stop believing?"

Give children a moment to think, then read Job's most famous verse. Ask one child to read it aloud slowly:

"I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." , Job 19:25–26

Ask: "Job is in terrible pain when he says this. His friends have left him. Everything is gone. But what does he still know for sure?"

Underline or point out the word know. Explain: Job didn't just hope his Redeemer lived. He knew. That knowing was the rock he held onto.

Core Gospel Principles

Truth 1, We can trust Heavenly Father even when we don't understand. Job asked God many hard questions. God didn't always give him a clear answer. But in Job 38, God showed Job the whole vast creation, the stars, the ocean, the snow, the wild animals, and asked, "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?" (Job 38:4). God was saying: I see so much more than you can see. I am holding everything. You can trust me.

Truth 2, Jesus Christ is our living Redeemer. Job knew that one day he would see God in his own body after he died (Job 19:25–26). That is the resurrection! Jesus Christ made that possible for all of us. Even before Jesus was born on earth, Job's testimony pointed straight to Him.

Truth 3, Good friends lift us up with kind words. Job's friends sat quietly with him for seven days, which was kind. But then they started saying God was punishing him, and that hurt deeply. Job said that kind words can strengthen someone who is stumbling (Job 16:5). We get to choose: will we be the kind of friend who helps carry the weight, or the kind who makes it heavier?

Interactive Learning Activities

Activity options

Object Lesson: Gold in the Fire

Type: Object Lesson

Materials: A piece of crumpled aluminum foil painted or colored gold (or a small gold-colored object), a bowl of dry dirt or sand

Instructions:

Show children the "gold" object and pass it around.
Then push it into the bowl of dirt so it's partially buried and hard to see.
Ask: "Does pushing this into the dirt change what it is? Is it still gold underneath?"
Pull it out, wipe it off, and hold it up.
Read together: "He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).
Explain: Job believed that his hard trials were like dirt pressing against gold, they couldn't change what he truly was. God knew exactly where Job was, even when Job couldn't see or feel God nearby.

Discussion: "Can you think of a hard time that made someone stronger, like gold coming out of the dirt?"

Object Lesson: Gold in the Fire

Type: Object Lesson

Materials: A piece of crumpled aluminum foil painted or colored gold (or a small gold-colored object), a bowl of dry dirt or sand

Instructions:

Show children the "gold" object and pass it around.
Then push it into the bowl of dirt so it's partially buried and hard to see.
Ask: "Does pushing this into the dirt change what it is? Is it still gold underneath?"
Pull it out, wipe it off, and hold it up.
Read together: "He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).
Explain: Job believed that his hard trials were like dirt pressing against gold, they couldn't change what he truly was. God knew exactly where Job was, even when Job couldn't see or feel God nearby.

Discussion: "Can you think of a hard time that made someone stronger, like gold coming out of the dirt?"

Role-Play & Acting: Two Kinds of Friends

Type: Role-Play

Materials: None needed (optional: two simple signs, one that says "Hurtful Words" and one that says "Christlike Words")

Instructions:

Divide children into pairs or small groups.
Give each group a simple scenario: "Your friend fell down at recess and is crying. You walk over."
First, one child acts as a "friend like Job's friends", saying something like, "You probably weren't watching where you were going" or "You shouldn't have been running."
Then, the same child switches and acts as a "Christlike friend", saying something kind and comforting.
After each pair acts it out, ask the class: "How did each version feel? Which friend would YOU want when you're sad?"
Connect back to Job: Job needed a Christlike friend. Job 16:5 says kind words can strengthen someone who is stumbling.

Discussion: "What is one thing a Christlike friend does that's different from an ordinary friend?"

Creative Expression: My "I Know" Card

Type: Hands-On Craft

Materials: Index cards or half-sheets of cardstock, crayons or markers

Instructions:

Give each child a card. At the top, write or print: "I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH", Job 19:25
Ask children to draw one picture that shows something they know about Jesus, maybe Him healing someone, holding a child, or rising from the tomb.
Below their picture, they write one sentence that starts: "I know that Jesus Christ ___________."
Encourage children to finish the sentence in their own words, things like "loves me," "was resurrected," "knows how I feel," or "is always with me."
Share a few aloud. Place cards near the rock from the Opening so children can see the connection.

Discussion: "How does knowing Jesus Christ lives help you when something hard happens?"

Life Application Bridge

Bring the rock back out. Ask: "If your week gets hard, if something feels unfair at school, or you have a bad day, or someone says something unkind, what is your rock? What do you know for sure that can hold you steady?"

Help children name their "rocks": Jesus lives. Heavenly Father knows where I am. I can pray. My family loves me. I can be a good friend.

Say: "Job held onto his testimony of the Savior the same way we hold onto something solid when we feel like we're falling. That's what faith looks like in real life."

Testimony Time

Ask softly: "Did anything we talked about today feel true to you? Did something about Job's story, or Job's testimony, make you feel something good inside?"

Pause and let children share without pressure. You may share gently yourself: how knowing the Savior lives has been a steady anchor in your own life, in language natural to you and your relationship with these children.

Invite children to look at the "I Know" cards they made and remember what they wrote.

Take-Home Challenge

"This week, try to be a Christlike friend to someone who is having a hard time. You don't have to fix their problem, just be kind. And when YOUR week feels hard, hold onto what you wrote on your card. Job said, 'Yet will I trust in him' (Job 13:15). Can you say that this week too?"

Send children home with their "I Know" cards.

Teacher Tips

Tip 1, Keep the story simple. Children don't need to know every detail of Job's debates with his friends. Focus on three clear images: Job loses everything but still worships, Job says "I know my Redeemer lives," and God shows Job all of creation to expand his view. Those three scenes carry the whole lesson.

Tip 2, If a child shares a personal trial during discussion, receive it warmly and simply. Don't rush to explain it or fix it. A quiet nod, "Thank you for sharing that" or "That sounds really hard" models exactly what the lesson teaches about Christlike friendship, and it honors that child's moment more than any object lesson could.

Weekly Lesson

Older Primary Lesson Plan

Week 33 · August 10–16 · Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42

Week 33

Premium download

Before You Teach

Teacher Quick Brief

A prep snapshot before the full lesson flow.

Show / Hide

Teacher Quick Brief

What This Week Is About

Main Points To Teach

We can trust Heavenly Father no matter what happens. Job said, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21). Even in terrible sadness, Job kept trusting.
Jesus Christ is our Redeemer and He lives. Job's most important testimony came during his hardest moment: "I know that my redeemer liveth" (Job 19:25). We can know this too.
Good friends lift us up when we are sad. Job's friends said hurtful things when he needed kindness. We can choose to be like Jesus, a friend who comforts, not criticizes.

What Is Happening In The Scripture Story

Why It Matters For Older Primary

Full Lesson Flow

Teaching Outline

Use the sections below as a menu. Swap cards and activities to keep the class interactive.

Week 33: "Yet Will I Trust in Him"

Job 1–3; 12–14; 19; 21–24; 38–40; 42 | August 10–16 Primary ages 8–10

Opening Connection

Before class, place a small rock and a feather on a table where children can see them.

Set the rock in front of the class and leave it visible throughout the lesson.

Scripture Discovery

Read together as a class or in partners:

"The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." , Job 1:21

Ask: "Job just lost all his animals, all his servants, and all ten of his children, in one day. What do you notice about what he says here? Does he sound angry at God? Does he stop believing?"

Give children a moment to think, then read Job's most famous verse. Ask one child to read it aloud slowly:

"I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God." , Job 19:25–26

Ask: "Job is in terrible pain when he says this. His friends have left him. Everything is gone. But what does he still know for sure?"

Underline or point out the word know. Explain: Job didn't just hope his Redeemer lived. He knew. That knowing was the rock he held onto.

Core Gospel Principles

Interactive Learning Activities

Activity options

Object Lesson: Gold in the Fire

Type: Object Lesson

Materials: A piece of crumpled aluminum foil painted or colored gold (or a small gold-colored object), a bowl of dry dirt or sand

Instructions:

Show children the "gold" object and pass it around.
Then push it into the bowl of dirt so it's partially buried and hard to see.
Ask: "Does pushing this into the dirt change what it is? Is it still gold underneath?"
Pull it out, wipe it off, and hold it up.
Read together: "He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).
Explain: Job believed that his hard trials were like dirt pressing against gold, they couldn't change what he truly was. God knew exactly where Job was, even when Job couldn't see or feel God nearby.

Discussion: "Can you think of a hard time that made someone stronger, like gold coming out of the dirt?"

Object Lesson: Gold in the Fire

Type: Object Lesson

Materials: A piece of crumpled aluminum foil painted or colored gold (or a small gold-colored object), a bowl of dry dirt or sand

Instructions:

Show children the "gold" object and pass it around.
Then push it into the bowl of dirt so it's partially buried and hard to see.
Ask: "Does pushing this into the dirt change what it is? Is it still gold underneath?"
Pull it out, wipe it off, and hold it up.
Read together: "He knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).
Explain: Job believed that his hard trials were like dirt pressing against gold, they couldn't change what he truly was. God knew exactly where Job was, even when Job couldn't see or feel God nearby.

Discussion: "Can you think of a hard time that made someone stronger, like gold coming out of the dirt?"

Role-Play & Acting: Two Kinds of Friends

Type: Role-Play

Materials: None needed (optional: two simple signs, one that says "Hurtful Words" and one that says "Christlike Words")

Instructions:

Divide children into pairs or small groups.
Give each group a simple scenario: "Your friend fell down at recess and is crying. You walk over."
First, one child acts as a "friend like Job's friends", saying something like, "You probably weren't watching where you were going" or "You shouldn't have been running."
Then, the same child switches and acts as a "Christlike friend", saying something kind and comforting.
After each pair acts it out, ask the class: "How did each version feel? Which friend would YOU want when you're sad?"
Connect back to Job: Job needed a Christlike friend. Job 16:5 says kind words can strengthen someone who is stumbling.

Discussion: "What is one thing a Christlike friend does that's different from an ordinary friend?"

Creative Expression: My "I Know" Card

Type: Hands-On Craft

Materials: Index cards or half-sheets of cardstock, crayons or markers

Instructions:

Give each child a card. At the top, write or print: "I KNOW THAT MY REDEEMER LIVETH", Job 19:25
Ask children to draw one picture that shows something they know about Jesus, maybe Him healing someone, holding a child, or rising from the tomb.
Below their picture, they write one sentence that starts: "I know that Jesus Christ ___________."
Encourage children to finish the sentence in their own words, things like "loves me," "was resurrected," "knows how I feel," or "is always with me."
Share a few aloud. Place cards near the rock from the Opening so children can see the connection.

Discussion: "How does knowing Jesus Christ lives help you when something hard happens?"

Life Application Bridge

Help children name their "rocks": Jesus lives. Heavenly Father knows where I am. I can pray. My family loves me. I can be a good friend.

Say: "Job held onto his testimony of the Savior the same way we hold onto something solid when we feel like we're falling. That's what faith looks like in real life."

Testimony Time

Ask softly: "Did anything we talked about today feel true to you? Did something about Job's story, or Job's testimony, make you feel something good inside?"

Invite children to look at the "I Know" cards they made and remember what they wrote.

Take-Home Challenge

Send children home with their "I Know" cards.