Awakened by Adversity – Pt 1
Job 1:1-5 (NLT)
1 There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters. 3 He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area.
4 Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. 5 When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.
1. Three signposts in Job’s story that point to Jesus:
– The theme of an innocent sufferer.
– The cosmic spiritual conflict.
– The need for a mediator.
Job 36:15 (ESV)
15 He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity.
2. Adversity awakens people.
Job 38:1-4 (NLT)
1 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
2 “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? 3 Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.
Job 42:5-6 (NLT)
5 I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. 6 I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”
3. The blessing of adversity is not just restoration but a deeper revelation of God.
Luke 10:17-20 (NLT)
17 When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”
18 “Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! 19 Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. 20 But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”
SMALL GROUP MEETING OUTLINE
Where your faith intersects with real life!
Reconnect:
Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.
Explore:
Review the message notes.
Big Idea: The blessing of adversity is not just restoration but a deeper revelation of God.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Before hearing this message, what did you think the story of Job was about? Has your perspective changed?
▶ Read Luke 10:17-20. How does choosing to rejoice in the fact that your name is written in Heaven ground and shape your faith, regardless of whether you receive the miracle you’ve been praying for?
▶ Share about a time when you were praying for a breakthrough, but the Lord showed up in a way you didn’t expect, even before you received your miracle.
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share with the Group.
Think about these three signposts: the innocent sufferer, the cosmic spiritual conflict, and the need for a mediator. Share how they help you personally see Jesus more clearly within the story of Job.
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Pray that God would draw us near to Him in our suffering, and that we would find peace knowing that He is with us, even in our hardest times.