Can it be that we can be so preoccupied with what we are experiencing in life that we can’t see God in our circumstances? Job feels deserted by God because he is blinded by what’s happening to him. He thinks God has forgotten him and his faith is struggling. But, inside him there is a spark of hope. This activity will help students explore the frustration job is feeling.

Begin by creating a set of horse blinders for a student to wear. Using a pair of sunglasses, tape thick cardboard or cardstock to the sides of a pair of sunglasses so that the student wearing them cannot see to the sides.

This activity involves the whole group. Choose one student to wear the blinders (see resources) and another to stand about 6-8 feet in behind them, facing them. Have the rest of the group spread out on each side of the blinded student facing away from the person behind the blinded student. Each of the students on the sides needs to pick a number that can be shown on their fingers (some may have the same number).

When you say “go”, have the students on the sides start saying and showing their numbers to the blinded student all at the same time – but they cannot move. As they show and tell their numbers, the blinded student needs to guess which numbers are being shown without turning their head.

Pause game –
Ask the blinded student, what makes this so hard?

Now have the students on the sides turn around so they are facing the person across the room, the blinders student does not turn. When you say ‘go’, have the students again start saying (or yelling) their numbers and showing them on their hands. The person behind the blinded student now begins to show the numbers he or she is seeing on their hands (no voice). The blinded student again can guess which numbers are seen.

After a few minutes of trying to guess the numbers, have the blinded person turn and face the person behind them who is showing them the numbers – can they guess the numbers now?

• What made the difference in guessing?
• What would have made this whole game easier for the student with blinders on?
(take off the blinders, turn around faster…)
• For those on the sides, were you frustrated? Why or why not?
• What spiritual connections can you make from our little game?
(person behind = God, blinded student = Job, rest of group = friends)
(we can be blinded by loneliness, distractions, hurts, confusion, etc which can make blind us to what God is doing)

Read: Job 23:1-9, 16-17

Connect to Job:
Can it be that we can be so preoccupied with what we are experiencing in life that we can’t see God in our circumstances?

Job feels deserted by God because he is blinded by what’s happening to him. He thinks God has forgotten him and his faith is struggling. But, inside him there is a spark of hope.

• How would you describe hope?
• Why is hope so important for Job?

Even when (the blinders student) couldn’t see the person behind him giving numbers, he/she knew help was right there, all he/she had to do was turn around. Job holds onto hope, despite feeling deserted.

• So many people feel deserted and lonely in our world, discuss ways you can help those around you who feel like Job.