Job
JOIN US FOR THE SERVICE HERE
Call to Worship: Psalm 57:5-11
Reflection Questions:
Begin by slowly reading Psalm 57:5-11 and then meditating on one of the verses for 2 minutes.
What do you believe is the cause and purpose of suffering in our world?
Read Job’s expression of pain in 3:20-26. When have you or someone you’ve loved felt similarly?
Job’s friends respond to his suffering with what some call the “theology of retribution” where suffering is caused by individual sin. Read and discuss Elihu’s response in 34:10-11, 25-28, and 36-37.
Read God’s response to Job and his friends in chapters 39-41. If you are pressed for time, read 38:1-18 and 40:6-14. What does it say about God in these chapters that he responds with a focus on his creative and reigning power?
Compare Job’s response in 42:1-6 to Jesus’ encounter with a blind man in John 9:1-7, 35-38. How do Job and the blind give us a model to follow?
Now, read 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 and talk about the place of suffering and comfort in the life of believers. Why is it important to remember that following Jesus does not remove us from suffering in this present life?
Name a time in your life when God met you in your suffering.
Make a list of those who are suffering in our world today. Close in prayer for them. If the Lord moves your heart to serve someone you know who is suffering, follow his prompting this week.
Daily Scripture Reading
Explore GodStory OurStory in the readings this week.
Jul 27 Esther 1-5, Ps 53
Jul 28 Esther 6-10, Ps 54
Jul 29 Daniel 1-3, Ps 55
Jul 30 Daniel 4-6, Ps 56
Jul 31 Daniel 7-9, Ps 57
Aug 1 Daniel 10-12, Ps 58
Aug 2 Haggai 1-2, Ps 59
Resources:
Bible Project Guide on Job