Read Job 1:1-5
Ask about Job: Who is Job?…He was a wealthy man of upright character that loved God. Additionally he feared God and shunned evil.
Read Job 1:6-17
Ask about Satan: Why do you think the Lord allowed Satan to do those things to Job?
Ask about Satan’s power: Use your imagination…what would be the worst thing that Satan could do to you that wasn’t death?
Read Job 1:18-19
Ask about doubting: If what happened to Job also happened to you, would you doubt that God was actually there for you?…I probably would…God allowed Satan to kill off his oxen, sheep, servants, camels, and even some of his loved ones.
Ask about tragedy: If you suddenly heard that your family and friends had all died in a terrible plane crash, what would, honestly, be the first thing that you would think or do?…Would it be, “Why would God do this to me? I didn’t do anything to deserve this? Is He punishing me? Does God even exist? I thought He was supposed to protect me.”…I would probably ask all of these
Ask about Job: What do you think Job did?
Read Job 1:20-22…Job absolutely expressed his grief and emotions to God, but He remained faithful and understanding. He understood that what has been given to him could be easily taken away from him. He viewed everything as a blessing to God, instead of possessions that he is entitled to have. He put God above all, even his family whom he loved dearly. He worshiped when God gave him things and he worshiped when God took them away.
Talk about what Satan wanted: Satan not only wanted to take away Job’s possessions, he also wanted to take away Job’s integrity.
Read Job 2:1-5
Talk about what Satan said: Satan was talking about the selfish nature of man. What we tend to do is try to please our own interests and live only for ourselves. As a man after God’s heart, Job lived his life to please God. Satan, although understood how the selfish mind of a human works and thus attempted to take advantage of Job and tried to draw him away from God.
Read Job 2:6-8
Talk about how Job felt: Job was able to contain himself even in the toughest times. He viewed his life as temporary and his body as a temporary shell for his eternal soul.
Read Job 2:9-10
Talk about the people who doubted: Many people in his life that were still alive and around him had given up on God at this point. His wife told him to “Curse God and die.” She doubted that God was there for them after what she had seen.
Talk about Job’s perception on life: Even in the midst of chaos, Job was joyful and looked on the brightside of the situation. He was probably thinking, “At least I still have God and the ability to worship.”
Ask about perception: Let’s say you are on the football team. During one play, you make a touchdown but during the next play, you miss the tackle and the opposing team scores a touchdown. Which event is the main event that you would probably remember the most?
Ask about changing our ways: Is there a way to change how we think so that we can always point to God and have joy?…Of course there is. If Job was able to, then we must have the same potential.
Ask about being like Job: How can we be more like Job?
Fun Fact: Job wasn’t perfect. If you look further on in Job, you will see that he also doubted and sinned, yet he still chose to devote to God.
Talk about the strengths of Job: Job had many strengths. He was a man of faith, generosity, care, patience, and endurance.
Talk about the weaknesses of Job: Job had some weaknesses as well. He was human. He doubted that God was there for him. He questioned why God was allowing him to go through this pain.
Talk about Job and his imperfections: Even though he was obviously imperfect, he still continued to follow God. This is what we need to continue to do, even in the midst of difficulties.
Read 1 Corinthians 16:13
Read Romans 5:3-5
References:
Bible Study Tools. (2017). Retrieved from http://www.biblestudytools.com/
NIV Life Application Study Bible. (2011). Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: New Testament. (2004). Colorado Springs, Colorado: International Bible Society.
The Bible Knowledge Commentary: Old Testament. (2004). Colorado Springs, Colorado: International Bible Society.
Unger, M. F. (1976) Unger’s bible dictionary. Chicago, IL: The Moody Bible Institute of Chicago.