“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,” Job 38:1 This one verse from our lesson Out of the Whirlwind is so full of instruction that time will not allow for anything beyond that. The story of Job and his unexplained suffering is one we can all relate to on some level. While we may not … Continue reading –>
God Speaks. Where has God been in the discussion so far? Why do you think Job and his friends spent so much of their energy and talking time dealing with the nature of God when He’s not even participating in their discussion? Since God caused the events to happen that affected Job, why do you think … Continue reading –>
Miserable comforters. How would you like to be visited in the hospital after serious cancer surgery by one of Job’s “friends”? Have you ever been drawn into an argument between you and God about what is fair? Do you ever plead with God, “Why? Why?” Or do you stop talking to God when you can tell … Continue reading –>
“ ‘He also shall be my salvation, for a hypocrite could not come before Him’ ” (Job 13:16, NKJV). Seven days of silence. Have you ever kept quiet about some issue in order to stay out of trouble with others at work or in the church? If so, did it work? Did Job follow that procedure? … Continue reading –>
Pat Answers. As a Sabbath School teacher, were you ever put off–although of course nobody noticed–by pat answers? You might have begun a discussion on the essence of sin, for example, by asking the question, “What is sin?” and almost like a record player, someone would speak up, “Sin is transgression of the law.” Silence fell. … Continue reading –>
We often don’t know what we are talking about because our opinions are built around incomplete knowledge of the facts. This week’s lesson on Retributive Punishment serves as a prime example. Although they expressed themselves with care and genuine concern, the friends of Job did not know what they were talking about. Their summation of the … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Even though Job’s friends saw his troubles as a result of a cause, Job was more concerned with asking the important question. Lesson 7 for November 12, 2016 1. Have a volunteer read Job 11:7-10. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. … Continue reading –>
Retribution. [Lesson 7 for Nov 12, 2016] We don’t often see the word “retribution” presented as the adjective, “retributive,” do we? What is retribution? Is punishment-bearing retribution stronger than simply suffering from the results of sin? Why doesn’t God choose retribution as punishment for all of our sins? Or does He? First Accusations from Eliphaz, … Continue reading –>
Key Thought: Even though Job’s friends saw his troubles as a result of a cause, Job was more concerned with asking the important question. Lesson for November 5, 2016 1. Have a volunteer read Job 2:11-13. a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is. b. … Continue reading –>
Words matter. That’s the takeaway I received for this week’s lesson on The Curse Causeless. This week our attention is on the words of Job’s friend Eliphaz. He was one of the three, who in their concern and respect for Job, came to see him after his life was turned upside down. I imagine it … Continue reading –>
