Why? Discussion Guide - Week 1

Welcome
Welcome to a new sermon series, this time on the book of Job! This series focuses on deep existential questions, such as the infamous question of “Why do bad things happen to good people?” This week, we’ll examine our motives in loving God and try to get to the heart of why we truly love and worship God.


Opening Prayer
Hey God, thank you for the opportunity to get together with this group and discuss your Word. The book of Job touches on some very deep questions, so please be with us as we take an honest look at our hearts and minds through these questions. Open our eyes to your truth and help us to hear what you have for us today. For those of us who may currently be in a season of suffering, stay close to us and help us to trust and love you even when we lose our way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


Ice Breaker
Before we dive into a heavy discussion about suffering, let’s spend a minute praising God. What is one thing you are especially grateful for right now in your life that God has provided?


The Head
The book of Job is a story about a man who suffered deeply. His friends tried to comfort him but ended up telling him long-winded examples of things he must have done to upset God. They insisted that Job must have done something wrong for him to experience such intense suffering in his life. Let’s run through some of the key verses to learn Job’s story:

In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil… He was the greatest man among all the people of the East. [Job 1:1-3]

“Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan [asked God]. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” [Job 1:9-12]

At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” [Job 1:20]

• Why do you think God allowed Satan to afflict Job?
• What do you notice about Job’s response to these hard things?

Job’s friends soon come along and give their points of view on why Job must be suffering. Job resists at first, claiming he knows he did nothing wrong. Jumping to the end of the book –

Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” [Job 42:1-6]

• How does Job see things now that God has responded to him?
• What do you think God’s goal was for Job here?
• Job ends up getting everything back and his inheritance is doubled. How do you think he reacted to this?

The Heart

Sometimes it feels like we can easily love God on the mountaintop, but not so easily when we are in the valley. It’s important to examine our motives: Why do we love God? Do we hope that he will bless us as a result of worshiping him? Do we continue to praise him even during difficult times? What do we expect to get out of loving God?

• As you are comfortable, think of a time when you may have experienced suffering or difficulty in your life. What was your relationship like with God during that time?
• Do you ever feel like your experiences of suffering and darkness are a result of something bad you personally have done? What attitudes in your family or the culture at large might contribute to that?
• How do you think God rewards those who love him, both in this life and in the afterlife?
• Has God ever used a season of suffering in your life to bless you in the end? If you are comfortable sharing with the group, explain how you look back on that season of suffering now.

The Hands
Spend some time this week thinking about your motives. It may help to journal or meditate on these questions:

• Why do I love God?
• How can I love God even during difficult times?
• Do I come to God when I suffer, or do I try to get through it alone? 

Closing Prayer
Dear God, thank you for such a thoughtful discussion with this group. Bless each of us as we go about our week and continue to meditate on these questions and on the book of Job as a whole. Help us to hear whatever message you have for us and draw closer to us, no matter what we are going through. It’s in your son’s name we pray, Amen.


Going Deeper - Book of Job Reading Plan
Join us as we read through the whole Book of Job! This reading plan is designed to guide you through the entire Book of Job, one chapter at a time. By taking it chapter by chapter, you’ll have the opportunity to fully engage with the text and reflect on its themes and lessons.  To start the reading plan, go to the top link on the homepage of the app (I promise you can't miss it). Click on the corresponding link for each day, read the verses, and answer the questions at the bottom! If you'd like to share your answers with us, you can click the email button and send them to communications@gatheringnow.org. Or, simply save them for yourself!


Additional Resources
The Bible Project has some great resources on the Book of Job, including this video summary: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/job/