Job
Showed Godly Virtue Despite Suffering
Anchor
command.
“Christ
has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because
he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest
of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of
God.” 1 Peter 4:1-2
Anchor
story. Job’s
suffering and restoration. The story of Job has 42 chapters. If you do not
have time to read it, then read a brief summary provided under the basic
study, below.
Anchor
verse.
“The fruit
of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23
Learning goal.
Believe that believers’ suffering on this earth does not compare with the glory that they will enjoy throughout
eternity.
Growth goal. Let
suffering deepen one’s spiritual life in Christ.
Skill goal. Prepare
believers to suffer willingly, knowing
Outcome goal. Many believers
are living godly lives, despite of suffering, opposition and hardships.
Basic Study
“Father, please use
this study to help me and those I shepherd to grow in holiness in Christ.”
Summary of the
story of Job, who lived in ancient Israel.
One day in heaven the devil dares to
quarrel with the Most Holy One. God questions Satan, “Have you
noticed my servant Job? He is upright and God-fearing.”
Satan answers, “Ha! Does Job fear
you for nothing? You made a hedge about him and prospered him. Touch all he
has, and he will curse you to your face!
God replies, “All he has is in your
power; only do not touch his person.”
On earth, Job is enjoying a
beautiful day when suddenly c he cries, “Oh! What is wrong? Why is that
servant coming, running in such a frenzy? Oh, no! Sabeans stole my oxen and
donkeys and slew my servants, and the servant alone escaped!”
Joe does not hear Satan’s fiendish
laugh. “I have just begun, Mr. Job.”
Job groans, “Here comes another
messenger, running. Oh, no! A grass fire has killed my shepherds and sheep!
Now another messenger has come gasping! Chaldeans have stolen the camels and
slain the servants!
What is this? Yet still another? Oh no! Terrible! A tornado has slain my
children while they dined together!
Job tears his role, shaves his head,
falls and worships God, saying robe, saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s
womb; naked I shall return. The Lord gave; the Lord takes away. Blessed be
his name!”
Meanwhile, in heaven, the Almighty
asks the devil, “Satan, did you notice that my servant Job still holds fast
his integrity, even though you incited me to ruin him without cause?”
Tornados are powerful wind storms that destroy everything in their way.
Satan replies, “All a man has he
will give for his life, but touch his flesh and he will curse you!”
God tells him, “He is in your power,
only spare his life.”
Job is stricken with painful sores
from his feet to his scalp. He scrapes himself with broken pottery and sit
among ashes. His wife goads him, “You still hold fast to your integrity?
Curse God and die!”
Job asks her, “Should we accept good
things from God and not accept adversity?”
Job does not hear Satan’s diabolical
taunt, “I’ll care for you, Job. I’ll send three of your friends to comfort
you.
Job’s three friends Eliphaz, Bildad
and Zophar arrive to console him. Seeing his plight, they tear their robes
and throw dust over their heads.
Job’s friends sit with him whilst he suffers.
Job tells them, “Oh, my friends! Let
the day perish on which I was born!
Why all this suffering, Eliphaz? Why?”
Eliphaz judges him, “Confess your
sins, Job, and God will stop punishing you.”
Job moans, “I yearn to plead my case
before God, in heaven’s highest court!”
Bildad tries to straighten Job out,
“I am your friend, Job. Listen to me.
Who are you to argue with God? How arrogant!”
Job answers, “Spare me, Bildad! Let
me die! I know that my redeemer lives; someday I will see God.”
Zophar takes his turn, “I am your
pal, Zophar, Job. Are you so smart? Do not refuse to hear our wisdom!”
Job groans, “Oh, please, Zophar!
Have mercy!”
Day after day this goes on. Job’s
three friends keep trying to convince him that his suffering is due to his
great sin. They go on and on. Blah, blah, blah!
Job banks them, “Please stop
buffeting me with your cruel words!”
Suddenly the voice comes from
heaven, “Who is this that obscures my guidance, multiplying empty words?
Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, my wrath burns against you. You have not spoken
of me what is right, as my servant Job has.”
The Lord rebukes Job also, mildly,
for thinking I knew so much. Joe falls on his face and cries, “O God, I am
nothing! I take it all back. I repent in dust and ashes.”
God tells him, “Job, go offer burnt
offerings for your friends, and pray for them.”
God
heals Job and restores everything even better than before.
During
the Week…
·
Correct any believer who judgmentally
assumes that others” suffering due to their sin. Explain the lesson from the
story of Joan.
·
Comfort any believers who are suffering.
·
Exhort believers to live godly lives in
spite of troubles or opposition.
During
worship…
·
Briefly relate the story of Job, and ask,
What did God let Satan do to Job?
Was Job’s suffering due to his sin?
Why is it wrong always to assume that people’s suffering is because of
their sin?
·
·
Explain that suffering improves our
character, making us more like Christ.
·
Pray for any who are suffering.
·
Have the children present what they have
prepared.
Advanced Study
1.
During worship,
after telling the story of Job, ask question about it.
·
What did God allow Satan to do to test
Job’s faith and character?
·
What was the false assumption that Joe’s
three friends made?
·
Why was God angry with Joe’s three friends?
·
Why does God call Satan “the accuser of the
brothers” (Revelation 12:10)?
3.
Help all the
believers to develop godly character.
Building godly character is a group effort. Believers
cannot do it alone. They grow in character as they participate in the body of
believers and serve others. For example, alcoholics overcome their habit
easier when helping others also to do so.
Most people show the good and bad traits of four common
animals, as in this table:
Some
people act like…
|
When
they neglect the Holy Spirit…
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When
they are filled with the Holy Spirit…
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Powerful
bulls,
like Paul:
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Paul
took part in the stoning of Stephen to death, and he persecuted believers.
|
Paul
later defied resistance to gather flocks, train shepherds and take the Word
to other ethnic groups.
|
Barking
puppies,
like Peter:
|
Peter
often spoke too hastily; he opposed Jesus’ plan to die and even denied Him.
|
Peter
later proclaimed Jesus with power and led many to faith and repentance.
|
Farsighted
eagles,
like David:
|
David
slyly counted his soldiers, which brought a plague, and he lusted for
Uriah’s wife
|
David
wrote beautiful psalms, laid plans for a new temple, and believed in a
lasting kingdom
|
Steady
work horses, like Job:
|
Job
questioned God’s allowing him to suffer so much, and he argued too much.
|
Yet,
Job kept a strong faith in God during great suffering, and he repented of
his questioning.
|
|
|
|
4.
Those who teach
children should read study #62 for children.
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