Confirmation 4.7.21: Job
Go through these questions and readings with a family member, and have a parent or guardian confirm that you met.
·
What
are some things about this year that have been difficult for you personally?
What about for the world?
·
Were
you responsible in any way for these difficult things?
·
What
are some bad things that happen to people because of their own actions?
·
Have
you heard of any stories about bad things happening to good people? Can you
give any examples?
Read Job 1:1-5 [1] There was once a man in the land of Uz
whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and
turned away from evil. [2] There were born to him seven sons and three daughters.
[3] He had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of
oxen, five hundred donkeys, and very many servants; so that this man was the
greatest of all the people of the east. [4] His sons used to go and hold feasts
in one another's houses in turn; and they would send and invite their three
sisters to eat and drink with them. [5] And when the feast days had run their
course, Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the
morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job
said, "It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their
hearts." This is what Job always did.
·
After
reading this passage, how would you characterize Job? (What do you know about
him?)
Read Job 1:6-12 [6] One day the heavenly beings
came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. [7]
The Lord said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered
the Lord, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and
down on it." [8] The Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my
servant Job? There is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man
who fears God and turns away from evil." [9] Then Satan answered the Lord,
"Does Job fear God for nothing? [10] Have you not put a fence around him
and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of
his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. [11] But stretch out
your hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your
face." [12] The Lord said to Satan, "Very well, all that he has is in
your power; only do not stretch out your hand against him!" So Satan went
out from the presence of the Lord.
·
What
is Satan trying to prove to God? And what does he want God to prove?
·
Where
else in the Bible do we find Satan confronting God?
Read Job 1:12-22 [13] One day when his sons and
daughters were eating and drinking wine in the eldest brother's house, [14] a
messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys
were feeding beside them, [15] and the Sabeans fell on them and carried them
off, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; I alone have escaped
to tell you." [16] While he was still speaking, another came and said,
"The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the
servants, and consumed them; I alone have escaped to tell you." [17] While
he was still speaking, another came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three
columns, made a raid on the camels and carried them off, and killed the servants
with the edge of the sword; I alone have escaped to tell you." [18] While
he was still speaking, another came and said, "Your sons and daughters
were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house, [19] and
suddenly a great wind came across the desert, struck the four corners of the
house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; I alone have escaped
to tell you." [20] Then Job arose, tore his robe, shaved his head,
and fell on the ground and worshiped. [21] He said, "Naked I came from my
mother's womb, and naked shall I return there; the Lord gave, and the Lord has
taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." [22] In all this Job did not
sin or charge God with wrongdoing.
·
What
kinds of things happened to Job? Who caused those things?
·
How
would you react if this happened to you?
·
How
did Job react after all this happened?
Later on in the next 34 chapters
of Job, his friends come to console him because of all that has happened, but
they end up telling Job that all his suffering must be because of his
wrongdoings, or sins, so he must deserve all the suffering. After each
accusation, Job defends his innocence.
·
How
do you think Job felt in his conversations with his friends? How do you feel
when people falsely accuse you?
·
What
do you think Jesus would say if he were in on the conversations with Job and
his friends? (Luke 6:37)
·
Is
it possible to be a perfect Christian? Is it possible to please God at all
times?
Watch “The Book of Job” from The
Bible Project https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GswSg2ohqmA
·
Reflect
on this quote: “If God brings you to it, God will bring you through it.” What
do you think? Is this a true statement? What about after having heard Job’s
story?
·
What
is wise about the Book of Job?
·
Why
do bad things happen to good people?
·
How
does faith in God help you in times of sorrow or trouble?
Read & Reflect on “The
Footprints in the Sand” poem by Mary Stevenson
One night a man had a dream. He
dreamed
he was walking along the beach
with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes
from his life.
For each scene he noticed two
sets of
footprints in the sand: one
belonging
to him, and the other to the
LORD.
When the last scene of his life
flashed before him,
he looked back at the footprints
in the sand.
He noticed that many times along
the path of
his life there was only one set
of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened
at the very
lowest and saddest times in his
life.
This really bothered him and
he
questioned the LORD about
it:
"LORD, you said that once I
decided to follow
you, you'd walk with me all the
way.
But I have noticed that during
the most
troublesome times in my life,
there is only one set of
footprints.
I don't understand why
when
I needed you most you would
leave me."
The LORD replied:
"My son, my precious child,
I love you and I would never
leave you.
During your times of trial and
suffering,
when you see only one set of
footprints,
it was then that I carried
you."