Awakened by Adversity – Pt 3
Job 2:11-13 (NLT)
11 When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. 12 When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief. 13 Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.
Job 4:7-8 (NLT)
7 “Stop and think! Do the innocent die? When have the upright been destroyed? 8 My experience shows that those who plant trouble and cultivate evil will harvest the same.
John 9:2-3 (NLT)
2 “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”
3 “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.
Job 2:9-10 (NLT)
9 His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”
10 But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.
Job 3:1-7 (NLT)
At last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth. 2 He said: 3 “Let the day of my birth be erased, and the night I was conceived. 4 Let that day be turned to darkness. Let it be lost even to God on high, and let no light shine on it. 5 Let the darkness and utter gloom claim that day for its own. Let a black cloud overshadow it, and let the darkness terrify it. 6 Let that night be blotted off the calendar, never again to be counted among the days of the year, never again to appear among the months. 7 Let that night be childless. Let it have no joy.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT)
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
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: Adversity exposes who we blame.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Read Job 2:11-13. What can we learn from the way Job’s friends initially responded to his suffering, and how can we practice being present with those who are hurting?
▶ Why do we often struggle with blaming others when we face adversity and how can we choose to focus on trusting Jesus instead?
▶ How does choosing forgiveness and kindness in the face of blame reflect Christ’s love to the world?
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share with the Group.
What practical step can you take this week to respond to challenges with faith rather than blame?
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Pray for the strength to trust God in the midst of hard times.