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.

Finger of Blame

a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. What is true about what Zophar is saying?
c. Personal Application : Have you even seen what you considered Divine retribution in judgment against someone? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your relatives states: “Is it true that people reap what they sow? Doesn’t God in the Bible say He will recompense the wicked, and their evil deeds will bring them evil?” How would you respond to your relatives?

2. Have a volunteer read Genesis 6:5-8.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. How do we understand God’s motives for bringing the flood upon the earth and destroying all but eight people?
c. Personal Application : What does the reality of retributive punishment teach us about how we can trust in the ultimate punishment of God? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your friends states, “I know a lot of evil and sin has been committed by people, even political leaders, who have never been convicted, prosecuted, or punished. Do you believe they will receive any kind of punishment?” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Numbers 16:1-3, 31-35..

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. How do you integrate divine punishment with the image of a loving God?
c. Personal Application: Have you ever experienced moments in your life when God did not react the way you expected Him to? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your neighbors states, “God doesn’t kill anyone. People are destroyed by the results of their own actions. God is a God of love and doesn’t interfere in the lives of people down here.” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read 2 Peter 3:5-7.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What are our limitations in understanding how God dealt with Korah and the victims of the flood?
c. Personal Application : What people or person do you know that is suffering? What can you do to help alleviate that suffering? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing  virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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