Read Job 9:32–35
Summary of Job 9:32–35
Job recognized that sinners need a reconciler with a holy God. He wished that God was a man like himself. He believed that only a mortal could help God understand his human error. God seemed distant and indifferent to his suffering. If God were like man, Job would take God to court on this case. He would argue his innocence in the court of justice, man to man.
Job desired an impartial mediator to plead his case before God. An umpire, arbitrator, lawyer or reconciler between them could quickly settle this dispute successfully.
Job wished that facing God was not so fearful. He knew he could not meet God on fair terms as long as God was omnipotent. Who could argue with His infinite, raw power? Who would hear his case?
Use these questions as a guide to help facilitate a group discussion:
What causes you to be ashamed or scared to approach God (in prayer)?
What do you do when you feel like God just doesn't understand what you're going through?
What has helped you humble yourself and submit to God when you didn't feel like doing so?
If you were Job's friend, what would you say to him after he goes off on this rant?
How can a holy God actually understand what a mortal human being goes through?
Why does sin separate us from God?
Does being good or not sinning bring us closer to God? Why or why not?
How do you know when you and God see eye to eye?
Why could it be harder for a person who has gone to church their entire life and is not a follower of Jesus to repent and turn to Jesus than a person who has never gone to church?
How can being "religious" be so dangerous?
How can a loving God (who is also the judge) send well-meaning, sincere, religious people to hell?
What verses would you point to if a friend asked you how to have a relationship with God or how to get to heaven?
Concerning the question above, did you tend to think of verses about things YOU need to do or things that JESUS has done?
Why do we so easily drift from the idea that Jesus is the savior, and not us?
Why do we need Jesus?
What's your story about when you turned to Jesus to save you?
Would anyone like to put their faith in Jesus right now? Would anyone like to turn back to Jesus right now?
Sunday, September 25, 2016
Sunday, September 18, 2016
The Sorry Bus: Freedom vs Slavery
Read Job 42:7–9
Summary: God tells Job's three friends they are theologically wrong (v 7) and to seek forgiveness. God doesn't let them just say a simple prayer for forgiveness and be done with it. They must go to Job with their sacrifices and ask him to pray for them. This must have been a deeply humiliating thing. They accused Job of being far from God, and now God places Job as the priest to bring them near to God. In other words, God is seeing to it that the only way the three friends can experience reconciliation with god is through experiencing reconciliation with Job. They must humble themselves before Job, not simply before God.
Use these questions as a guide to help facilitate a group discussion about forgiveness.
Why is it so difficult to forgive those who hurt you?
Why doesn't forgiveness make sense to our human nature?
What do you do instead of forgiving?
What do you gain when you don't forgive? What do you lose?
Why does forgiveness matter to God? Why should forgiveness matter to you?
Read Matthew 5:24. What urgency and priority does Jesus put on forgiveness?
Are there people that you need to forgive in order to worship God?
Read Matthew 6:14-15. What's the reward if we forgive others? What's the consequence if we don't forgive others?
Read Romans 12:17-19. Who does judgement belong to? Why don't you want God to handle judgement? Why is it hypocritical to want to be the judge?
Are we supposed to forgive someone if they don't ask for forgiveness? (Colossians 3:12-13)
What scares you about freely forgiving? What could happen?
How could extending forgiveness heal a relationship? How might it heal the other person? How might it heal you?
Do you ever abuse the grace, mercy and forgiveness God has given you?
Do you agree that we must forgive others in order to be like Jesus?
If you need to forgive someone, how would you go about it?
Summary: God tells Job's three friends they are theologically wrong (v 7) and to seek forgiveness. God doesn't let them just say a simple prayer for forgiveness and be done with it. They must go to Job with their sacrifices and ask him to pray for them. This must have been a deeply humiliating thing. They accused Job of being far from God, and now God places Job as the priest to bring them near to God. In other words, God is seeing to it that the only way the three friends can experience reconciliation with god is through experiencing reconciliation with Job. They must humble themselves before Job, not simply before God.
Use these questions as a guide to help facilitate a group discussion about forgiveness.
Why is it so difficult to forgive those who hurt you?
Why doesn't forgiveness make sense to our human nature?
What do you do instead of forgiving?
What do you gain when you don't forgive? What do you lose?
Why does forgiveness matter to God? Why should forgiveness matter to you?
Read Matthew 5:24. What urgency and priority does Jesus put on forgiveness?
Are there people that you need to forgive in order to worship God?
Read Matthew 6:14-15. What's the reward if we forgive others? What's the consequence if we don't forgive others?
Read Romans 12:17-19. Who does judgement belong to? Why don't you want God to handle judgement? Why is it hypocritical to want to be the judge?
Are we supposed to forgive someone if they don't ask for forgiveness? (Colossians 3:12-13)
What scares you about freely forgiving? What could happen?
How could extending forgiveness heal a relationship? How might it heal the other person? How might it heal you?
Do you ever abuse the grace, mercy and forgiveness God has given you?
Do you agree that we must forgive others in order to be like Jesus?
If you need to forgive someone, how would you go about it?
Sunday, September 11, 2016
The School Bus: When God Takes You to School
Job 38–42
Summary of Job 38–40:5
Job had been confident that he knew the workings and the ways of God (27:11)... now God calls on him to prove that claim and demands that Job answer His questions (38:1–3). God then asks Job a series of rhetorical questions.
38:1 - God finally answers Job from the whirlwind (eye of the violent storm). Why do you think God chose this specific time to reply to Job?
Fill in the blank: When you hear from God in the midst of great struggle, it reassures you that God ___________.
(...is here, cares, is ultimately in control, etc.)
38:2–40:2 - God takes Job to school and blasts him with tons of questions. Don't you hate when someone answers a question with a question?! That's what God did to Job. Why is this God's method of reply? What is it that He's trying to communicate to Job?
(He's reminding Job of who is God, majestic, sovereign, all-powerful, all-knowing, etc.)
Why does God appear to Job and say this? Is God defending Himself?
(God does not offer vindication of His dealings with us, nor does He need to justify his providence towards Job. He does not lower Himself in order to elevate us into judges of His conduct. The righteousness of His providence does not depend on how we perceive it or admit it. God is never defensive... He is the sovereign Lord of all, accountable to no being but Himself. He does not appear to vindicate Himself, but to rescue Job.)
Why does God speak to us (through His Word, others, circumstances, or the Holy Spirit)? What's the motive behind His words?
(to rescue us, save us from our sin, guide us towards Him, etc.)
40:3–5 - Job is ready to shut up and listen. Job needed to be rescued from his own thoughts. He began to make the wrong conclusions about God. We often need to be rescued from our own thoughts or the persuasion of others' thoughts. Powerful thoughts and words do not equal wisdom. Where does wisdom come from?
(Job 28:20-28, Proverbs 2:6, James 1:5)
Why should an unbeliever repent? Why should Christians repent?
(Repentance is not about relationship, but it is about restoring fellowship. Repentance is for everyone. To enjoy ongoing fellowship with God, we need to live a life of daily repentance.)
How does God's revelation lead to a life of repentance?
(It causes us to consider on a regular basis His glory and our inadequacies, and that His mind and thoughts are truly higher than ours. Isaiah 55:8–9)
42:7–17 - God never told Job why he suffered or what the purpose was. Would you still be demanding an explanation, or would you hear and understand what God said?
What has God showed you through these chapters?
What does God want to rescue you from right now? What do you need to repent from?
Summary of Job 38–40:5
Job had been confident that he knew the workings and the ways of God (27:11)... now God calls on him to prove that claim and demands that Job answer His questions (38:1–3). God then asks Job a series of rhetorical questions.
38:1 - God finally answers Job from the whirlwind (eye of the violent storm). Why do you think God chose this specific time to reply to Job?
Fill in the blank: When you hear from God in the midst of great struggle, it reassures you that God ___________.
(...is here, cares, is ultimately in control, etc.)
38:2–40:2 - God takes Job to school and blasts him with tons of questions. Don't you hate when someone answers a question with a question?! That's what God did to Job. Why is this God's method of reply? What is it that He's trying to communicate to Job?
(He's reminding Job of who is God, majestic, sovereign, all-powerful, all-knowing, etc.)
Why does God appear to Job and say this? Is God defending Himself?
(God does not offer vindication of His dealings with us, nor does He need to justify his providence towards Job. He does not lower Himself in order to elevate us into judges of His conduct. The righteousness of His providence does not depend on how we perceive it or admit it. God is never defensive... He is the sovereign Lord of all, accountable to no being but Himself. He does not appear to vindicate Himself, but to rescue Job.)
Why does God speak to us (through His Word, others, circumstances, or the Holy Spirit)? What's the motive behind His words?
(to rescue us, save us from our sin, guide us towards Him, etc.)
40:3–5 - Job is ready to shut up and listen. Job needed to be rescued from his own thoughts. He began to make the wrong conclusions about God. We often need to be rescued from our own thoughts or the persuasion of others' thoughts. Powerful thoughts and words do not equal wisdom. Where does wisdom come from?
(Job 28:20-28, Proverbs 2:6, James 1:5)
Why should an unbeliever repent? Why should Christians repent?
(Repentance is not about relationship, but it is about restoring fellowship. Repentance is for everyone. To enjoy ongoing fellowship with God, we need to live a life of daily repentance.)
How does God's revelation lead to a life of repentance?
(It causes us to consider on a regular basis His glory and our inadequacies, and that His mind and thoughts are truly higher than ours. Isaiah 55:8–9)
42:7–17 - God never told Job why he suffered or what the purpose was. Would you still be demanding an explanation, or would you hear and understand what God said?
What has God showed you through these chapters?
What does God want to rescue you from right now? What do you need to repent from?
Sunday, August 28, 2016
The Empty Bus: When God Doesn't Show Up
Job 23:1-12
Summary of verses 1-9: Job has been struggling with the burden of his afflictions. He can't understand the meaning of God's providence with him. He cries out to God, but it seems God is not there to hear his case. He can't seem to find God anywhere (ahead, backwards, on the left or right). Although he knows that God is present everywhere, his mind becomes so confused, so consumed with his troubles, that he seems to be a man in fright and at his wits' end. And because he's so confused, nothing is clear. He is at a loss to know what God's purpose is with him. We see Job's faith wavering a bit.
Have you ever called out to God in a time of need, but it didn't seem like He even heard you?
• What were some of the thoughts going through your head?
• Why do you think you didn't hear from God? What do you think God was doing?
• Would you have done anything differently?
• What did you believe about God at that time?
• Why is it so scary when God doesn't seem apparent during times in the valley? Do you desire for His presence the same when you're on the mountain?
Why does it seem like the devil is always in the details? When trials come, we think this must be Satan. Why?
• Read Psalm 37:23. Who is always in every detail? Who directs every single step?
• Do you think you're a weak person if you need to depend on God? Are you strong if you can get through the hard times on your own?
• How does it help you to know that God is always aware of every detail in every step of your life?
Summary of verses 10-12: Job finds a way to still trust God. The steadfastness of his faith continues. God is a witness to his integrity. And even though he does not know the way which he goes, God knows that way. And Job's confidence is that God's way is good and produces gold.
• Are trials golden opportunities (pun intended) for God to do the work He desires in your life? Do you believe that statement? Can you testify to it? What personal stories can you share about this?
• How do you know if the affliction you're facing is a consequence for your sin or for God to do something powerful in your life?
(Embrace and learn from trials. Repent and turn from consequences.)
• How do you know when purification and sanctification are complete in your life? (When Jesus is seen perfectly in you.)
What should we focus on during our afflictions and trials?
(Our response and attitude towards these should be to pursue the will of God in/for our lives. Read vs 11.)
• What do you think the will of God for you today is? Are you in it, close to it, or far from it?
Continue to develop a thirst for His Word. Continue to seek Him in prayer.
Summary of verses 1-9: Job has been struggling with the burden of his afflictions. He can't understand the meaning of God's providence with him. He cries out to God, but it seems God is not there to hear his case. He can't seem to find God anywhere (ahead, backwards, on the left or right). Although he knows that God is present everywhere, his mind becomes so confused, so consumed with his troubles, that he seems to be a man in fright and at his wits' end. And because he's so confused, nothing is clear. He is at a loss to know what God's purpose is with him. We see Job's faith wavering a bit.
Have you ever called out to God in a time of need, but it didn't seem like He even heard you?
• What were some of the thoughts going through your head?
• Why do you think you didn't hear from God? What do you think God was doing?
• Would you have done anything differently?
• What did you believe about God at that time?
• Why is it so scary when God doesn't seem apparent during times in the valley? Do you desire for His presence the same when you're on the mountain?
Why does it seem like the devil is always in the details? When trials come, we think this must be Satan. Why?
• Read Psalm 37:23. Who is always in every detail? Who directs every single step?
• Do you think you're a weak person if you need to depend on God? Are you strong if you can get through the hard times on your own?
• How does it help you to know that God is always aware of every detail in every step of your life?
Summary of verses 10-12: Job finds a way to still trust God. The steadfastness of his faith continues. God is a witness to his integrity. And even though he does not know the way which he goes, God knows that way. And Job's confidence is that God's way is good and produces gold.
• Are trials golden opportunities (pun intended) for God to do the work He desires in your life? Do you believe that statement? Can you testify to it? What personal stories can you share about this?
• How do you know if the affliction you're facing is a consequence for your sin or for God to do something powerful in your life?
(Embrace and learn from trials. Repent and turn from consequences.)
• How do you know when purification and sanctification are complete in your life? (When Jesus is seen perfectly in you.)
What should we focus on during our afflictions and trials?
(Our response and attitude towards these should be to pursue the will of God in/for our lives. Read vs 11.)
• What do you think the will of God for you today is? Are you in it, close to it, or far from it?
Continue to develop a thirst for His Word. Continue to seek Him in prayer.
Sunday, August 21, 2016
The Beat-Up Bus: Grief, Anger, and the Blame Game
Job 3, Ephesians 4:26-32
Think of a time during the past week when you felt your emotions changing in the direction of anger. Which of the following statements characterized your response?
a. I ignored it.
b. I overreacted to it.
c. I worked to address it.
What was the result? What did you reap?
Anger shows itself in a variety of forms. Which form are you most likely to struggle with?
a. Irritability or bitterness?
b. Yelling or screaming?
c. Explosions?
d. Acts of fury to defend yourself (or others)?
e. Acts of self-injury (cutting yourself, misusing food, sex, alcohol, drugs, exercise, etc.)?
f. Dwelling on dark things that others have done?
g. Revenge, destroying others
h. Stewing and brewing
Anger is a heart issue. Understand how your heart leads to anger: A desire for even a good thing becomes a bad thing when that desire becomes a ruling thing.
"I want _______." (Desire)
"I must have _______." (Demand)
"I will have _______." (Need)
"You should _______." (Expectation)
"You didn't _______." (Disappointment)
Therefore, "I will _______." (Punishment)
What is your typical mode of punishment when you do not get your way?
(Silence, withdrawal, angry words, violence?)
Where do you tend to get irritated, frustrated, discouraged, or experience flashes of anger? Do you recognize any themes or patterns?
We can't control everything that happens to or around us. But, what can you control?
(Changes inside of yourself.)
Why does my heart towards others have to do with my heart towards God?
(1 John 4:19-21)
What is God revealing to you that he wants you to own, because He loves you and wants to change you, so that you can experience the freedom and joy of His rule in your heart? Be specific and ask those in your rGroup to pray for you and hold you accountable. Change is a community project.
So, you have an anger issue. What do you do?
(Anger must be surrendered. The only way out is to surrender your anger to God. Do not control or mange it in your flesh. Let the Spirit move you to action or bring you to brokenness.)
Are you ready to humble yourself in your broken state and surrender your sinful anger to God? Know that He will give you grace in your time of need.
(James 4:6)
Outbursts of anger can feel good for a moment (to our flesh), but how does it feel to surrender your anger to God? (Frees our spirit, removes weight of sin, mends relationship with God and others, allows you to focus on what's Holy, enables you to move forward, etc.)
Think of a time during the past week when you felt your emotions changing in the direction of anger. Which of the following statements characterized your response?
a. I ignored it.
b. I overreacted to it.
c. I worked to address it.
What was the result? What did you reap?
Anger shows itself in a variety of forms. Which form are you most likely to struggle with?
a. Irritability or bitterness?
b. Yelling or screaming?
c. Explosions?
d. Acts of fury to defend yourself (or others)?
e. Acts of self-injury (cutting yourself, misusing food, sex, alcohol, drugs, exercise, etc.)?
f. Dwelling on dark things that others have done?
g. Revenge, destroying others
h. Stewing and brewing
Anger is a heart issue. Understand how your heart leads to anger: A desire for even a good thing becomes a bad thing when that desire becomes a ruling thing.
"I want _______." (Desire)
"I must have _______." (Demand)
"I will have _______." (Need)
"You should _______." (Expectation)
"You didn't _______." (Disappointment)
Therefore, "I will _______." (Punishment)
What is your typical mode of punishment when you do not get your way?
(Silence, withdrawal, angry words, violence?)
Where do you tend to get irritated, frustrated, discouraged, or experience flashes of anger? Do you recognize any themes or patterns?
We can't control everything that happens to or around us. But, what can you control?
(Changes inside of yourself.)
Why does my heart towards others have to do with my heart towards God?
(1 John 4:19-21)
What is God revealing to you that he wants you to own, because He loves you and wants to change you, so that you can experience the freedom and joy of His rule in your heart? Be specific and ask those in your rGroup to pray for you and hold you accountable. Change is a community project.
So, you have an anger issue. What do you do?
(Anger must be surrendered. The only way out is to surrender your anger to God. Do not control or mange it in your flesh. Let the Spirit move you to action or bring you to brokenness.)
Are you ready to humble yourself in your broken state and surrender your sinful anger to God? Know that He will give you grace in your time of need.
(James 4:6)
Outbursts of anger can feel good for a moment (to our flesh), but how does it feel to surrender your anger to God? (Frees our spirit, removes weight of sin, mends relationship with God and others, allows you to focus on what's Holy, enables you to move forward, etc.)
Sunday, August 14, 2016
THE WORK BUS
What is the best or worst job you've ever had, and why?
Let each person quickly share either the best or worst. Don't take too long. :-)
Do you think God cares about your job/work?
God redeemed us through the sacrifice of Jesus. So, He cares immensely about what we do as redeemed people. Our jobs are one of the primary ways God intends to make us more like Christ. Read Colossians 3:22-24.
Who do you work for? (Trick question, haha!)
Colossians 3:23 - "Work heartily, as FOR THE LORD and NOT FOR MEN.
How does your work life change when you work for the Lord instead of the man?
Because we work for King Jesus, our work has meaning, purpose and value. WHO you work for is more important than WHAT you do.
What sin occurs when we work for work/us/career/man instead of God?
Idolatry. Work becomes an IDOL when it is elevated to the most important or primary part of our life. It's the thing our life is organized around and what we care most about.
Why do we so easily let our work define us and become a source of pride and self-confidence?
It's one thing to desire to do a good job. It's entirely another thing to allow your job to be the means by which you convince yourself that you have worth.
How do we identify if work has become an idol?
• When we can't be happy in life unless our work "fulfills" us.
• When our perception of ourselves rises and falls, from day to day, based on our perceived effectiveness in the workplace.
• When we perform well on the job and a lack of praise from others crushes our spirit because we need esteem from our work.
• When we work to pursue materialism and are willing to neglect relationships, family, church, etc.
What difference does it make that you're a Christian in the workplace? (or) What does it look like to be a Christian at work?
Colossians 3:23 - "WORK HEARTILY (whole heartedly, with all your heart)..." We don't become IDLE in our work because our work has meaning, purpose and value.
How does knowing WHO you work for change HOW you work?
If you truly worked for the King, you would never slack in your work. Your job is an assignment from the King.
What are some motivations for working whole heartedly for the Lord?
• We have a new identity. We're not just employees, but exist for a reason and purpose.
• We have a new pursuit for our lives. We work for the glory of our King.
• We have a mission to love and serve others.
• We work for the eternal rewards from our King.
• We know that everything is under God's control and that frees us to work with joy and not worry.
What's the main obstacle keeping you from working whole heartedly for the Lord?
Pray and ask God to help you overcome that sin.
What do you need to change, starting now?
Confess and turn to God for help. Ask others to keep you accountable.
What is the best or worst job you've ever had, and why?
Let each person quickly share either the best or worst. Don't take too long. :-)
Do you think God cares about your job/work?
God redeemed us through the sacrifice of Jesus. So, He cares immensely about what we do as redeemed people. Our jobs are one of the primary ways God intends to make us more like Christ. Read Colossians 3:22-24.
Who do you work for? (Trick question, haha!)
Colossians 3:23 - "Work heartily, as FOR THE LORD and NOT FOR MEN.
How does your work life change when you work for the Lord instead of the man?
Because we work for King Jesus, our work has meaning, purpose and value. WHO you work for is more important than WHAT you do.
What sin occurs when we work for work/us/career/man instead of God?
Idolatry. Work becomes an IDOL when it is elevated to the most important or primary part of our life. It's the thing our life is organized around and what we care most about.
Why do we so easily let our work define us and become a source of pride and self-confidence?
It's one thing to desire to do a good job. It's entirely another thing to allow your job to be the means by which you convince yourself that you have worth.
How do we identify if work has become an idol?
• When we can't be happy in life unless our work "fulfills" us.
• When our perception of ourselves rises and falls, from day to day, based on our perceived effectiveness in the workplace.
• When we perform well on the job and a lack of praise from others crushes our spirit because we need esteem from our work.
• When we work to pursue materialism and are willing to neglect relationships, family, church, etc.
What difference does it make that you're a Christian in the workplace? (or) What does it look like to be a Christian at work?
Colossians 3:23 - "WORK HEARTILY (whole heartedly, with all your heart)..." We don't become IDLE in our work because our work has meaning, purpose and value.
How does knowing WHO you work for change HOW you work?
If you truly worked for the King, you would never slack in your work. Your job is an assignment from the King.
What are some motivations for working whole heartedly for the Lord?
• We have a new identity. We're not just employees, but exist for a reason and purpose.
• We have a new pursuit for our lives. We work for the glory of our King.
• We have a mission to love and serve others.
• We work for the eternal rewards from our King.
• We know that everything is under God's control and that frees us to work with joy and not worry.
What's the main obstacle keeping you from working whole heartedly for the Lord?
Pray and ask God to help you overcome that sin.
What do you need to change, starting now?
Confess and turn to God for help. Ask others to keep you accountable.
Monday, August 8, 2016
IDENTITY
1 Peter 2:9-10
Group discussion questions:
In your own words, what is "identity"? ... Who are you?
What are some of the "false" identities that people around you cling to?
What stereotypes do you most identify with?
What are some ways that you get your identity mixed up and confused?
Why is it important to know what your identity is?
Why does your sense of who you are need to come from a proper sense of who God is?
What is dangerous about finding your identity in something that can change or be taken away?
How can you remind yourself of your identity in the Lord despite the overwhelming messages of our culture?
What does it personally mean to you that you are accepted, valuable, loved, forgiven, and called by God?
Knowing that, how do you respond?
(Take time to confess sin, repent, worship, and pray.)
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