The Man, His Misfortunes, and His Mindset

Introducing The Book of Job

Introduction: Priming the pump for tonight’s discussion.

Let’s begin with our own observations. Was there a moment where God spoke to you, showed you something new, or reminded you of a familiar truth through the message this week?

Exploration: Questions to guide our group discussion.

1. Job had a family that most people would envy…and wealth the same. It would be easy to envy Job’s position in life…at least at first. There’s one detail about Job’s life that we should all envy…and that’s his walk with God. Not only did Job care for his own walk, but he was truly a spiritual leader in his family. What stuck out from the example of Job that inspired you, and how could we put some of Job’s healthy habits into play in our own lives?

2. When we read the account of Job, it can be easy to miss that the real indictment of Satan wasn’t against Job, but against God. Satan accused God of blessing Job too much…and said that Job only loved God because of the tremendous blessings. In Job’s suffering, he had to decide…do I really love God, or do I just love the things that God does for me? God also took a chance on Job because He knew Job’s heart. Those are good questions to wrestle with…so let’s explore and discuss. What would happen if all of God’s blessings in our lives disappeared all at once? Could God trust us to suffer and stay faithful to Him in our hearts?

3. Like steel when it is tempered, a Christian who has endured trouble and trials will be hardened. Remembering the foreknowledge and omnipotence of God, why did God allow Job to experience such trials? Why was Satan allowed to sift Job? Did God use Job’s suffering for His glory and for Job’s good?

4. Job’s mindset in suffering reveals a deep loyalty to God. How does Job’s response to suffering reveal the inner court of Job’s heart for God?

Additional Scriptures for Deeper Study:

• Romans 8:18-39
• James 1:2-4
• 1 Peter 2:6-9

Application: How can I apply this to my life this week?

1. How should a Christian respond to God when suffering comes into his/her life? What did we learn from Job about facing trials and hardships?

2. What comfort can we take from knowing that there are limits to the calamities that Satan can bring into our lives?