Wisdom From the Book of Job

Key verses:
Job 1:8-11New International Version (NIV)
8 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
9 “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. 10 “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. 11 But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.
Job 1:20-21 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 He said,
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked I shall return there.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Sermon Notes:

1. Sin equals suffering

2. Righteousness equals success

3. This is known as simple wisdom.

4. Job is known in the scriptures as an example of complex wisdom.

5. The book of Job is about a battle in heaven over motives.

6. The wise person will love and trust God in spite of the severe ups and downs of life.

Small Group Questions
Week 8 Respect the Beard

Icebreaker
Have you ever had a day in your life when multiple things fell apart at the same time and you just felt like Job? Please share.

1. As you reflect on this series on wisdom, which topic ministered most to you? Friendships, human sexuality, work and money, how we use our words, addictions, Job and complex wisdom. Please share.
2. The book of Job is a glimpse into a heavenly reality surrounding one man’s suffering. We are not usually shown the reason for our suffering. In Prov. 3:5-6 we read that our wisest course in life is to trust in God and not lean on our own understanding. How much harder do you think it is to trust when you don’t know the reasons for the things that are happening? How do you think you would have responded to the things that happened to Job?
3. Was there a time when you trusted God and only later on did the circumstances make sense? If so then please explain.
4. Read Eph. 6:10-12. We know, from the book of Job, that we have an adversary who wants to challenge our faith. What are some ways that you can prepare yourself for the battle Paul describes when you face difficult times?
5. Read John 16:33. How does understanding of our ultimate victory give us strength and courage to trust God in the present?
6. Read Acts 9:15-16; 2 Cor. 12:9-10. Why does Paul rejoice in the middle of difficult times in his life? What was the outcome of his sufferings in the lives of the churches he ministered to, and people like Timothy? What encouragement can you find in his example to help you in the middle of suffering?
7. Read Deut 6:4-6, Mark 12:28-34. The book of Job is about a battle in heaven over motives of loving and trusting God. Do you love God? Why? Do you trust God? Why? Does God love you? Why?

Something to think about this week…
(John 13:1 NIV)
It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.
(Romans 5:5-8 NIV)
5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.