Making Sense of Suffering

Don’t Be THAT Guy

Introduction:

How to Figure Out if You're Being THAT Guy:

  1. Do You Fail to Recognize that You Have Blind spots ?

    Job 42:7 - "My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has."

    Job 42:8 - "For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has."

    1. By assuming God's Plan and People's Motives .

      Read more: Job 5:27, Job 15:9-10, Job 13:7

      1 Samuel 16:7 - "For the LORD sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart."

    2. By having Unbiblical and Unhelpful Convictions.

      Read more Job 4:7-9, Job 8:4

      Job 11:6 - "Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves."

      Job 4:7 - "Remember: who that was innocent ever perished? Or where were the upright cut off?"

      2 Corinthians 5:21 - For our sake He made Him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

      1 John 3:5 - You know that He appeared in order to take away sins, and in Him there is no sin.

      1 Peter 3:18 - For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God.

  2. Do You Mean Well but Fail to Cmfort Well .
    1. By talking Way Too Much .

      Read more: Job 16:2-3, Job 13:5

    2. By saying the Wrong Thing at the Wrong Time.
    3. By saying the Right Thing in the Wrong Way.

      Read more Job 6:14

      Isaiah 42:2-3 - He will not cry aloud or lift up His voice or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed He will not break, and a faintly burning wick He will not quench.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Covering
Job 3-31

  1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?

  2. How do you see yourself being THAT guy or THAT girl right now when it comes to helping others especially those who suffer?

  3. Why is it so unwise to assume God’s plans and other people’s motives?

  4. What are some unbiblical and unhelpful convictions that many Christians have bought into?

  5. How can you grow in your ability to comfort well?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Everything Comes from God

Introduction:

How Can I Not Blame God for My Suffering?
3 Things to Remind Yourself When You Suffer: (Job 2:10):

  1. Foolish people blame God. (Job 2:10a)
  2. Everything comes from God. (Job 2:10b)
  3. Not blaming God is a matter of Choice . (Job 2:10c)

    Luke 22:31-32 - Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.

    Hebrews 7:25 - Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read
Job 2:1-10

  1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?

  2. Why did Satan say that physical suffering will turn a man against God, when losing wealth wouldn’t (Job 2:4-5)? Do you think there’s truth in that? Why or why not?

  3. Note the last sentence in Job 2:3. What did God mean that Satan “incited God against Job to destroy Job without reason”? What does this say about Satan’s motives?

  4. Job’s reason for not cursing God is given in the question Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil? (Job 2:10) How is this a reasonable explanation to not curse God in your suffering? What does it mean that God “gives evil”?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

What Do We See Behind the Curtain?

Introduction:

What Do We See Behind the Curtain? (Job 1):

  1. Heaven takes note of your Conduct .
  2. Your Motive is what really Matters .
  3. Satan does Nothing without God's say so.

You WILL Worship While You Suffer:

  1. If you are a worshiper Before you Suffer . (Job 1:5)
  2. If you remember that you're Leaving Earth with what you Brought . (Job 1:21)
  3. If you believe that God has a Purpose for literally Everything . (Job 1:22)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read
Job 1

  1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?

  2. Have you ever suffered a terrible trial and struggled with the question “Why, God?” As much as you’re comfortable, share your story with the group.

  3. What was Satan’s accusation against Job (see Job 1:9-11)? Why do you think Satan made this accusation?

  4. How would you respond to someone who says, “As soon as I started going to church, everything in my life got so much harder.”?

  5. Walk us through Job 1:21. Why was this Job’s reasoning for blessing the Lord? How can we get there now to prepare us for when we suffer?

Breakout
Pray for one another.