Week 5: Job 25-42

Prepare these questions for Sunday, April 7, 2013.
We will not be meeting on Easter (March 31) so we will discuss weeks 5 and 6 on April 7.

The second half of Job's story involves a new friend who speaks to Job (Elihu) and a response from God that comes "out of the storm."  Try to imagine what that seemed like to Job as you read.

1.  Why did Elihu wait so long to speak up?  What are your thoughts on his reasoning?

2.  What does the fact that these men debate the will of God tell you about the nature of both faith and human beings? What can you learn from their examples (good or bad)?

3.  What are God's eventual responses to Job's questions?  Do these answers satisfy you? Why?

4.  What does Job conclude after God speaks?  Do you think the later events of his life affected his view of God's words from the storm?

Week 4: Job 1-24

Prepare these questions for Sunday, March 24, 2013.

Although we will read the entire Old Testament before we move on to the New Testament, we are jumping around a bit in the process.  You may have to look up where Job is since it isn't all that close to Genesis.  Most of the book of Job is made up of poetic discussions Job has with some men in his community about what is happening in his life. That can get kind of confusing to follow for those of us who don't communicate with our friends through poetry so you may want to read any summaries your Bible has to help you out with these verses.

1.  Who was Job and what happened to him?

2.  What are your thoughts on Job's misfortune and why God allowed it to happen?

3.  What role did Satan play in this story? Does that confuse or upset you?  What questions would you like to ask God about this topic?

4.  In your own words, what did Job's friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) say to him?

5.  Job questions why these terrible events happened to him.  Why would these verses that seem to question God be included in the Bible? What do you read in these verses?

Week 3: Genesis 26-50

Prepare these questions for Sunday, March 17, 2013.

This is a large section of scripture covering the lives of Isaac and Rebekah, their children Jacob and Esau, and their grandchildren.  Take note of both the recurring mistakes and the extreme acts of faith this family makes.

1. For each group or pair below, understand how they're related and at least one notable characteristic of their relationship.
Isaac and Rebekah
Jacob and Esau
Jacob and Laban
Jacob, Leah, and Rachel
Dinah, Simeon, and Levi
Jacob, Rachel, and Joseph

2. These chapters have some pretty impressive examples of family dysfunction.  Which of these instances stood out to you?  Why?  You might consider the favoritism of Isaac and Rebekah, Jacob's taking of Esau's birthright and blessing, Laban's dealings with Jacob, Joseph's relationship with his brothers...

3.  What happened to Joseph after his brothers sold him to slave traders?

4.  Do any of the people in these chapters make you feel sympathetic toward their circumstances?  Who and why?

5.  When and why do the members of this family call on or interact with God?  Can you relate to those moments in your own life?

Week 2: Genesis 12-25

Prepare these questions for Sunday, March 10, 2013.

These chapters are about the lives of Abraham and Sarah. They're called Abram and Sarai until God changes their names so don't be confused about that.  Think about why Abraham is sometimes called "Father Abraham" as you read.

1.  What are the major events of Abram/Abraham's life?

2.  There are some shocking events in these passages.  What surprised or shocked you?

3. What does it say about God that He used such flawed people in His plans?  What does that mean for us?

4.  What is unusual about how Abraham chose a wife for his son Isaac?

5.  What one question would you ask God about these passages?