Pulpit Curriculum
JOB SECURITY
Overview of Job
by Pastor Jon Krick
You are not expected to cover every detail of this Pulpit Curriculum, rather, consider it a resource to help you in guiding your group
to a deeper understanding and application of the Word. Remember, there is great benefit to group members whose hunger to grow
will stimulate their returning, on their own at a later time, so as to understand and apply it further.
Introduction - As you meditate on this PC study, begin with this personal reflection - “How is my JOB security?” Or
asked a different way, “Through what trials in my life have I had the most difficulty trusting God?”
Begin this week of study with a prayer for the attitude of James 1:2 - “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you
encounter various trials…” and that through the study of Job you can see why his life is highlighted in James 5:10-11 “As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We count
those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings,
that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.”
1. THE TRIAL OF JOB’S LIFE (1:1-2:8)
Think back prior to the sermon and evaluate how familiar you were with the story of Job. Compared to other righteous
and blameless men of the Old Testament such as Noah and Abraham (Cf. - Gen. 6:9 and Gen. 15:6), why do you think
the story of Job might be overlooked by at times by believers? What words does Job 1:1, 1:8, and 2:3 use to describe
Job? What does it mean for an Old Testament believer to be blameless, upright, turning from evil? Is that different
from what God expects of believers today? How can a person be sure God sees him or her as blameless and upright
(Cf. - Romans 3:21-26, 4:1-8)
After seeing the strong testimony of Job’s belief in God, consider the weight of his trial. Go back and re-read Job 1:1319. In five consecutive verses Job suffers unfathomable loss (vv. 15-19). Let the reality of that hit you again and
consider this question personally - how would you have responded? Pastor Jon made two observations:
1.
Job’s response - He did not sin or charge God with wrong (1:22).
2.
Our response - We are not directly commanded to do anything but learn from Job’s life (James 5:10-11), yet
we are given other Scriptures that direct us in trials (Cf. - James 1:2-4, 1 Corinthians 10:13, 1 Peter 1:6-9).
2. THE TEMPTATION OF JOB’S FRIENDS (2:9-37:24)
Job’s temptation to react sinfully came at him from those closest to him. Though we can assume those that loved him
were well-intended, as we read the whole story of Job we see that their collective counsel was not very helpful.
First came the temptation to curse God given by Job’s wife (2:9). What is Job’s response to her in v. 10? What does
that interaction between Job and his wife suggest was the difference in their faith in God? What does Job’s response
teach you about how to respond to a people who might be well-intended but wrong in their assessment of your trial?
Next we learned of the temptation to receive inaccurate counsel from Job’s friends. Read Job 2:11-13. How did the
counseling session start off? What lesson in comfort in ministering to others can you learn here (Cf. - Romans 12:15)?
Though they started off right, it quickly devolved into a Job character-bashing session. Jon gave a helpful insight into
what went wrong with the collective counsel of these men in this summary - “It is not what they knew that was wrong;
it is what they was ignorant of—God’s hidden purpose—that made all of the beautiful poetry and grand truth only a
snare to Job.” All three of these men could only speak of what they saw from their perspective, not what God’s
ultimate sovereign perspective was (Cf. - Psalm 115:3, 135:5-6). How can this truth help you be a better counselor to
someone going through a trial?
We were reminded that neither Job, nor his wife, nor his friends, had access to the book of Job, particularly Job 2:1-6.
If any of his counselors had read that section, how might their counsel to him have changed?
Pastor Jon mentioned two aspects of temptation that can serve as a life lesson for us as we consider the study of Job’s
interactions with “his friends”:
1.
2.
The temptation “to listen” to counsel that shouldn’t be listened to.
The temptation “to give” counsel that shouldn’t be given.
What solution did Jon share that helps to guard against those temptations? How can you get more in the habit of
showing from “God’s Word” rather than telling from your perspective?
3. THE TRUTH FROM JOB’S GOD (38:1-42:6)
A blend of different thoughts, conjecture, prideful proposals and scrutinized speculations accompanied by some
occasionally good counsel are consolidated into 37 chapters. Finally the Lord speaks extensively and how refreshing it
is in Job 38-41 because God asks Job some amazing and humbling questions.
Pastor Jon quoted one theologian who summarized God’s sovereignty by saying, “There is not one maverick molecule
in the entire universe.” God alone has absolute authority and supreme control over all things including suffering,
diseases, and tragedies. Go back to Isaiah 45:5-7 and re-read the amazing description of God’s sovereignty. How does
this truth help you process the problem of suffering in your life personally or even the suffering you see going on in
the world at large?
A paradox by definition is a statement that appears contradictory and yet is perhaps true (e.g. God is sovereign and
good yet allows evil). Why do you think the truth of God’s sovereignty over evil and suffering are so paradoxical? A
few scriptures that might be helpful to cross-reference are Deuteronomy 29:29, Romans 11:33-36, Psalm 139:1-12,
and 1 Corinthians 1:25. Pastor Jon ended with 5 life lessons to learn from the life of Job:
First, there is tremendous security for believers as our understanding of God’s Sovereignty grows. It is indeed JOB
SECURITY and it encourages us to trust God no matter what happens.
Second, when it comes to the trials that God has ordained for us, there is a big difference between “questioning” and
“asking questions”. “Questioning God” promotes doubt and distrust. “Asking questions” of God promotes
understanding and trust. As God grows us the questions that we ask will begin to look very different from the world in
which we live. When the world or even some Christians encounters a trial they typically say “why me?” As we grow in
our faith and our understanding of God’s sovereignty then we’ll start to ask the question, “why not me?”
Third, Jon gave three helps for handling trials: 1. Prayer brings peace (Philippians 4:6-7), 2. The Word brings wisdom
(Psalm 119:105), and 3. Counsel brings confirmation (Proverbs 11:14). Which of those do you tend to depend most
upon in your trials? Which could you use more of?
Fourth was that when enduring a trial, truth must govern your life, not your feelings. We see this very clearly in Job.
When his feelings of despair were in control his life was a rollercoaster! What happens if you ride a rollercoaster for
too long? We were encouraged to consider the plumb-line of truth as stated in Proverbs 3:3.
Finally, trials train us. Job would have never learned what God was trying to teach him without the trial he faced. By
Divine design trials also train us and keep us dependent upon the Lord so that we can also learn more about God and
giving Him glory in the process. What trial in your past has changed your perspective on God the most?
Mutual Ministry:
During a portion of MM time, have each person share a personal trial in life no matter how small or large. Before
anyone chimes in to speak, allow each person to share, and practice the example of being an empathetic listener,
mourning with those who mourn. Then immediately following take the next moments to pray for each other about
those trials specifically, and for greater faith, trust, patience, endurance, and love for God through it.
Prayer:
Pray that the upcoming Broadcast sermon series invitations to bring many new guests to our church during Easter
weekend. Pray for our church as we proceed with the affirmative decision regarding the Gateway facility. Pray for
Lifegroups to continue to make the discipleship difference in the lives of the saints of our church and for ways to
increase our outreach to those who are new and not in a Lifegroup.
Going Deeper:
This week go back to Job 38-41 and spend time reading through the amazing words God uses to talk about Himself
and His power in all creation. After reading through, go back a second time and write down as many observations you
can make about His power, sovereignty, and wisdom as you see in this section of Scripture (you can use the blank
space below). Finally, conclude your time praying to God and praising Him for those characteristics that He has
allowed you to see in a new way from His Word!