Leader Guide

Teaching

Read a Signpost from a sign on the wall or from the board and discuss each one, using the information below. Additional material is included for Grades 4–6 to look up and discuss.

Today, we are going to discuss the Signposts we saw in our video of how events in Job’s life point to Jesus.    

Signpost 1. Removed!

Job was blameless and upright before God. Satan was given permission from God to test Job’s faith. Satan believed that Job served God only because God had given him prosperity and protection. Suddenly, Job’s family, wealth, and even his health were taken away by Satan. Yet, Job did not waver in his faith and obedience to God. Instead, Job chose to worship and praise God!

This is a Signpost to Jesus. Jesus willingly gave up all the glorious riches He had in heaven so that He could come to Earth and save us. He came as a human baby, and he was tempted and tested by Satan, too—yet He remained faithful and obedient to God and never sinned.    

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6 TO DISCUSS

Job 1:8–12:

⁸ Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” ⁹ Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. ¹⁰ You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! ¹¹ But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” ¹² “All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord's presence.

Philippians 2:6–8:

⁶Though He was God, He did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. ⁷ Instead, He gave up His divine privileges; He took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When He appeared in human form, ⁸ He humbled Himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

Signpost 2. True Faith!

How was Job able to praise and worship God even though he experienced so much pain and suffering? Job’s faith wasn’t based on his circumstances or possessions—it was based on a person—God. This is true faith that lasts! Job didn’t focus on his circumstances; he focused on seeing his Redeemer face to face one day! Job believed that one day his suffering would be over, and he would be rescued and restored forever by God. 

Jesus remained faithful to God even though He endured rejection, suffering, and even death. Job’s declaration about his Redeemer was a Signpost to our Redeemer, Jesus. Many years later in the New Testament, John the Baptist’s father said that God had redeemed His people by sending His Son, the mighty Savior, Jesus! When we place our trust in Jesus alone, we have true faith that will last. We will also see Jesus, face to face one day. He is our Redeemer, who rescues us from sin and death!     

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6 TO DISCUSS 

Job 19:25–27:

²⁵ “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and He will stand upon the earth at last. ²⁶ And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! ²⁷ I will see Him for myself. Yes, I will see Him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!”

Colossians 1:13:

For He has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of His dear Son.

Signpost 3. Always Present!

Through Job’s time of testing, he never stopped praying and worshiping God. Job never lost faith—in fact, his faith grew by seeing God and hearing His voice! Job did not understand all of the testing he was going through, yet he knew God was present with him.

This is a Signpost to Jesus, who is always with us. When Jesus returned to heaven following His resurrection, He sent the Holy Spirit to His followers to help them and be with them always. We may not always understand our circumstances, yet we can be sure that Jesus is always with us and will help us! Because Jesus suffered and was tempted, He knows the hardships and temptations we will face. When we trust in Jesus through difficult times, our faith is strengthened as we experience His presence and help.

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6 TO DISCUSS 

Job 1:20–22:

²⁰Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship.²¹ He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lordhas taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” ²² In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.

Luke 1:67–70a:

⁶⁷ Then his father, Zechariah, was filled with the Holy Spirit and gave this prophecy: ⁶⁸ “Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and redeemed His people. ⁶⁹ He has sent us a mighty Savior from the royal line of His servant David, ⁷⁰ just as He promised.

Signpost 4. Restored!

God restored everything that Satan had taken from Job; his family, possessions, and health. In fact, God doubled all that Job had before his test! Job loved and trusted in God more than the blessings God had given him. His faith was based on God alone.

Jesus was obedient to God, even in death! Jesus received back all that He willingly gave up when He came to Earth—and even more! The Bible says that Jesus now sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. He was given the name above all names, and someday everyone will bow down to Him as Lord! We can declare today what Job did: “I know my Redeemer lives!” 

OPTIONAL VERSES FOR GRADES 4–6 TO DISCUSS  

Job 42:10:

When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!

Philippians 2:9–11:

⁹Therefore, God elevated Him to the place of highest honor and gave Him the name above all other names, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

In our lessons about Job, we have been discussing how God gives His children many blessings. Sometimes we may forget to take the time to appreciate all of our blessings and thank God for them.

Our Discipleship Challenge is to think of a new blessing every day, write it on one of the My Blessings slips, put it in our baskets, and then take time to praise and thank God for that special blessing. Now, who would like to share one of the blessings you have already written down for our Discipleship Challenge? Allow time for children to share.

Display the sample you made and give a Blessing Basket Pattern and a My Blessings Pattern to any children who missed the previous lessons.