Week 5 - The Old Testament
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Family Life - Small Group Warm Up Question:
If you could go back in time and change something, what would you change and why?
The Old Testament
Job 11-25
1. What do you think about the long dialogues between Job’s friends and Job? If you were trying to summarize and explain the book of Job to a friend, how would you describe this week’s reading?
2. When you read Job 12:1-3, what kind of attitude do you believe Job is communicating? What sort of tone might he be using? What are the benefits of this? What are the dangers of this?
3. Read Job 12:4. Have you ever been made fun of? What for? What are some of the motives of those who mock and laugh at others? Have you ever made fun of others? What for? How does this verse convict you of your past treatment of others? The next time we suffer ridicule, how might we better respond? How might we better pray for those who laugh at us?
4. Read Job 12:13-25. Which is your favorite description of God? Why?
5. Read Job 14:1-2, 5, 10. Is this true? What is the relevance of this truth?
6. Job 19:13-19 speaks about having brothers, relatives, servants, close friends, and his own wife hating him and turning against him. Have you ever experienced that loss? That loneliness? That heartbreak? What got you through that season?
7. Why is Job 19:25-26 such a powerful and important passage?
8. Job 21:7 asks “Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power?” Have you ever wondered about this same scenario? A similar situation? Read how Job continues in Job 21:13-14. Do you think this describes the heart of the lost? When you were lost would you have said something similar to God? Why would lost souls treat God this way?
9. Job’s friends are ultimately confronted by God as speaking wrongly. In Job 21:34, Job says “How then will you comfort me with empty nothings? There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood.” Should we ever confront someone in such a bold way? How would you know it was time to confront someone with such boldness? When would it not be wise to speak this way to someone? What are some key tips you would offer a friend who was considering such a confrontational conversation? How would you pray for yourself or a friend before such a confrontation?
10. Job 22:4-5 summarizes the false accusations of Job’s friends. Have you ever made the honest mistake of falsely accusing someone? What did it feel like when you found out that you were wrong? How did you try to make things right after your mistake? How can we best avoid making false accusations against another?
11. Job states in Job 23:11-12 that “My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. [12] I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.” Do you think this is a good life goal? What practical steps can we take to aim towards this goal?
12. Read Job 23:13-15. How would you try to explain these truths about God to a new believer?
13. Although this section of Job can be difficult to understand, what is your biggest take-away?
General Discussion Questions
• What can you learn about God from these passages? His work? His character? How can this help you grow in your trust of Him?
• Application Questions: How do you need to respond to and apply these truths to your life? (Is there a sin to avoid? A command to obey? An example to follow? A prayer to offer? A truth to remember or memorize? An attitude to change? A teaching to share?)