Week 1: Job 1:1–22

Pain, Suffering, Righteousness & Justice

This sermon introduces a new series exploring the Book of Job and its insights into suffering, righteousness, and God’s wisdom. Job is portrayed as a righteous man who faces immense trials not because of his sin but as part of a larger divine purpose. The opening chapter reveals that God allows Job to be tested, not to punish him, but to demonstrate His trust in Job's faith and to reveal deeper truths about God's wisdom and goodness. Job’s initial response to his suffering—mourning while worshiping God—models a profound trust in God’s sovereignty, even in the face of loss.

Three Main Points to Reflect On:

  1. God's Trust in His People:
    Job’s trials demonstrate that God’s allowance of suffering is not punitive but rooted in a greater purpose that ultimately glorifies Him. God honors Job’s faith by using him to reveal His wisdom and character.

  2. Suffering Is Not Punishment:
    The sermon emphasizes that trials and hardships are not evidence of divine punishment. Instead, they are part of the complexities of life in a broken world, and God remains present with us in the storm.

  3. Job's Response to Suffering:
    Despite losing everything, Job worships God, recognizing that all he had was a blessing. This response highlights the depth of his relationship with God and challenges us to trust God’s goodness, even in suffering.

Three Questions to Reflect On:

  1. How do you typically perceive suffering in your life or others’? Do you view it as punishment, or can you see it as an opportunity to trust God more deeply?

  2. Job worshiped God in the midst of his grief. What practices or attitudes could help you turn to God in trust during your own trials?

  3. How can you, as part of a community, support and walk alongside someone experiencing suffering, reflecting God’s love and compassion?

Three Prayer Points:

Person in Focus: A Friend Facing Loss

  1. Pray for God’s comfort to surround them, reminding them of His presence in their grief.

  2. Ask for practical support and encouragement to come through their community and loved ones.

  3. Lift up their faith, that they may trust in God’s goodness even in the midst of their pain.

Week 2: Job 5:1-7, 6:1-10

‘Miserable Comforters’

The Book of Job

This week, we focus on Job’s story, particularly his interaction with his three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—who, despite initially offering comfort, fail to support him in his suffering. Their flawed theology reduces God to a formula of "sin equals suffering," leading them to wrongly accuse Job of sin. Job's story demonstrates the importance of grace, mercy, and relational theology, revealed fully in Jesus Christ; it encourages listeners to adopt a Christ-like approach to comforting others, rooted in understanding, compassion, and trust in God's ultimate justice and mercy.

Three Main Points to Reflect On

  1. The Danger of Misapplied Theology: Job’s friends spoke partial truths about God but failed to apply them with grace, leading to accusations and harm rather than comfort.

  2. God’s Relational Nature: Unlike the formulaic understanding of Job’s friends, God’s dealings with humanity are personal and incarnational, exemplified in Jesus, who walks with us in our suffering.

  3. Justice and Mercy at the Cross: The cross is the ultimate demonstration of God’s justice and mercy meeting, showing that suffering and sin are dealt with through grace, not condemnation.

Three Questions to Reflect On

  1. How can I ensure that my words and actions bring comfort and encouragement to others rather than judgment or frustration?

  2. In what ways does my understanding of God influence how I respond to suffering—both my own and others’?

  3. How can I reflect Christ’s example of compassion and grace in the relationships and situations I encounter this week?

Three Prayer Points

  1. For Compassion: Pray for a heart that listens and seeks to comfort others in their suffering with Christ-like love and grace.

  2. For Wisdom: Ask God for wisdom to understand his ways and to apply theological truths with sensitivity and care.

  3. For Faith in God’s Justice and Mercy: Pray for trust in God’s ultimate justice and mercy, especially when facing situations that seem unfair or beyond understanding.

Week 3: Job 13:20-25; 14:7-17

Suffering, death and rebirth

This week, we look at Job’s struggle with pain, loss, and confusion, and examine how his suffering is not due to personal sin but part of a bigger divine plan. Job’s ultimate question is not just about suffering but about God’s nature—why He does not act in ways humans expect. Despite his turmoil, Job continues to seek God, recognising that even in suffering, being with God is better than being without Him. We’re encouraged to have an honest, wrestling faith, where believers bring their doubts and questions before God, just as Job did. We remember that, unlike Job, we now have the assurance of salvation through Jesus, offering hope even when we do not understand our struggles.

Three Points to Reflect On

  1. Suffering Does Not Equal Punishment – Job’s friends wrongly assume his suffering must be due to sin, but the book of Job challenges the idea that God always rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked in this life. How does this shape our understanding of suffering today?

  2. God Invites Honest Wrestling – Job is commended for questioning God rather than remaining silent. The Christian life is not about blind acceptance but about engaging with God authentically, even in frustration and confusion.

  3. Hope Beyond This Life – Job struggles with the concept of life after death, but we now have the assurance of eternal life through Jesus. How does this hope transform the way we endure suffering?

Reflection Questions

  1. Have you ever felt like Job—questioning why God allows suffering? How did you respond?

  2. How can we create a culture in our church or community where people feel safe to wrestle with God openly?

  3. How does the hope of eternal life impact the way you view challenges in the present?

  4. Job’s faith remains, even when he cannot see God working. How can we encourage ourselves and others to hold onto faith in difficult times?

  5. In what ways can we help those around us who are struggling, without making assumptions about why they are suffering?

Three Prayer Points

  1. For Deeper Trust in God – Pray that we would trust God even when we do not understand His ways, just as Job ultimately did.

  2. For Honesty in Our Faith – Ask God to help us approach Him with authenticity, bringing our real struggles, doubts, and questions before Him.

  3. For Those Suffering – Pray for those in our community who are experiencing pain, loss, or confusion, that they would find comfort in God’s presence and hope in His promises.

Week 5: Job: 28:9-15, 28:20-28

Looking for Wisdom in all the wrong places

This week, we focus on going deeper in God's Word and developing a deeper relationship with Jesus, especially in the face of suffering and hardship. We consider that while we may have accepted Jesus into our lives, we still experience pain and struggles, sometimes leading us to question God's presence and purpose.

Using the story of Job, we explore the limitations of human wisdom and the struggle to understand suffering. Job, despite his righteousness, endures immense suffering, leading him to question the nature of wisdom and God's justice. He realizes that true wisdom does not come from human effort, intellect, or wealth but from God alone. Job's conclusion—"the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding"—highlights the necessity of surrendering to God and recognising His greater perspective.

We consider Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s shift from atheism to faith*, emphasising that faith brings a deeper wisdom and understanding that human reasoning alone cannot grasp. The ultimate message is that placing God at the centre of our lives, rather than ourselves, leads to peace and transformation even in suffering.

Reflection Points:

  1. The Limits of Human Understanding – No matter how much knowledge or success we achieve, true wisdom comes only from God.

  2. Faith in the Midst of Suffering – Rather than turning away from God in hardship, we should anchor ourselves in His wisdom and trust in His plan.

  3. Surrendering to God – True wisdom requires letting go of self-centeredness and embracing God’s purpose for our lives.

Three Questions:

  1. In what areas of your life are you trying to rely on your own wisdom instead of seeking God’s guidance?

  2. How does the story of Job challenge your understanding of suffering and God's justice?

  3. What practical steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Jesus and grow in wisdom?

Three Prayer Points:

  1. Pray for a deeper trust in God – Ask God to help you trust Him even when life is confusing and painful.

  2. Pray for wisdom and understanding – Seek God's wisdom to navigate challenges and make godly decisions.

  3. Pray for surrender and faith – Ask for the strength to put God first and let go of self-centered thinking.

* A link to the full debate can be found here

Week 4: Job 19:13-27

My Redeemer Lives

This week, we continue exploring the suffering of Job, drawing parallels between his experiences and Jesus. Job, a blameless and upright man, suffers greatly, not because of his sin, but because God allows Satan to test him. His friends wrongly assume he must have sinned to deserve such suffering. Job's story foreshadows Jesus, who was also innocent yet suffered at the hands of men and Satan. We examine how suffering is often complex and beyond human understanding, but faith calls us to trust in God despite our confusion. Ultimately, Job declares, "I know my Redeemer lives," affirming hope and trust in God's redemption. The message encourages believers to see their suffering through the lens of Jesus' sacrifice, knowing that God is with them, even in silence.

Reflection Points

  1. Job as a Foreshadow of Jesus – Job, though innocent, suffers unjustly, just as Jesus did. How does this deepen our understanding of Jesus' sacrifice?

  2. The Role of Suffering – Job questions God, and Jesus cries out on the cross. How can we respond honestly to suffering while maintaining faith?

  3. God’s Sovereignty in Suffering – Though we may not understand why suffering happens, can we trust that God has a greater plan for salvation?

  4. Faith in Uncertainty – Job did not know why he suffered, but he trusted God. How can we maintain faith when God seems silent?

  5. Living Gospel-Shaped Lives – Our suffering connects us to Jesus. How can we reflect Jesus’ faithfulness in our struggles?

Three Questions

  1. How does Job’s suffering help us understand Jesus’ sacrifice?

  2. What does Job’s declaration, “I know my Redeemer lives,” teach us about faith in suffering?

  3. How can we support others in their suffering rather than offering misguided explanations like Job’s friends?

Three Prayer Points

  1. Pray for strength and faith in times of suffering, trusting that God is present even when He seems silent.

  2. Ask God to help us comfort those who suffer, showing Christ’s love instead of judgment.

  3. Pray for a deeper understanding of God’s plan of salvation and the ability to see our suffering through the lens of Jesus' sacrifice.

Week 6: God Speaks Pt 1 – Job 38:1-7; 40:1-12; 42:1-6

God Speaks

This week, we explore God’s response to Job after Job and his friends have debated the cause of his suffering. Before God speaks, Elihu intervenes, rebuking both Job and his friends while defending God's righteousness. However, when God finally speaks, He does not answer Job’s complaints directly but instead reveals His supreme power through a series of questions about creation.

God shifts Job’s perspective, showing that Job’s suffering is not a simple punishment for sin but part of a larger, incomprehensible reality where forces of chaos (symbolized by Behemoth and Leviathan) exist. These forces are beyond human control, and only God can subdue them. This parallels Jesus' mission, where He defeats the ultimate powers of sin and evil. Job moves from resignation to understanding, recognizing God's supreme authority and placing his trust in Him. The sermon concludes by pointing to Jesus as the victorious King, the Lord Almighty, who has conquered sin and death.

Reflection Points

  1. God’s Sovereignty and Perspective – Job’s experience teaches that we may not always understand suffering, but we must trust God’s wisdom and plan.

  2. The Reality of Evil Forces – Behemoth and Leviathan symbolize the chaotic and evil forces in the world, reminding us that we need God’s protection.

  3. Jesus as the Victor – Just as God alone can subdue the chaos in Job, Jesus Christ has ultimate authority over sin, death, and evil through His victory on the cross.

Three Questions for Reflection

  1. How does understanding God's sovereignty change the way we respond to suffering?

  2. In what ways do we, like Job, sometimes question God’s justice or plans?

  3. How does Jesus’ victory over evil impact our daily lives and struggles?

Three Prayer Points

  1. Pray for a deeper trust in God's wisdom, even in times of suffering and uncertainty.

  2. Ask for protection from the forces of evil and chaos that seek to harm and distract us from God’s truth.

  3. Give thanks for Jesus’ victory over sin and death, and pray for the strength to live in that freedom daily.

Week 7 Pt. 2 My Servant Job

Job 42:7-17, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

In our final week, we conclude exploring the story of Job. Our key focus is on how Job’s response to suffering teaches us about faith, trust, and God’s sovereignty.

1. Relationship – The primary aim of Satan was not just to afflict Job with loss and pain but to destroy his relationship with God. Job’s suffering was extreme—he lost his family, wealth, and health—yet he never cursed God. Instead, he wrestled with deep confusion and lament but remained in conversation with God: faith is not about having all the answers but about maintaining our relationship with God even in times of hardship.

2. Reality – God reveals to Job that the world is not as simple as human wisdom suggests. There are chaotic and evil forces at work, yet God remains in control. This is echoed in Paul’s writings, especially in Romans 8, where he speaks about creation being subject to frustration but ultimately longing for redemption. The presence of suffering does not mean God is absent or punishing us; rather, He is the one battling evil on our behalf. Jesus himself warned that trials are inevitable in this world, but He has overcome it.

3. Reconciliation – Job’s journey reaches a turning point when he intercedes for his three friends, who had misrepresented God. Though they believed Job’s suffering must have been due to his sin, God corrects them and instructs Job to pray for their forgiveness. This foreshadows Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice, where mercy and justice meet. Job’s act of interceding for those who hurt him highlights how God calls us to reconciliation, not just with Him but with others.

4. Restoration – After Job prays for his friends, God restores him, doubling his possessions and blessing him with more children. However, his children are not doubled, which may hint at the promise of eternal life—his first children are not lost forever but are awaiting him in the next life. This restoration is not a reward for Job’s righteousness but a reflection of God’s grace and love. The lesson here is that God’s blessings are not earned through good behavior but are freely given as an expression of His goodness.

We conclude by connecting Job’s story to Paul’s struggles. Like Job, Paul suffered, yet he learned that God’s grace was sufficient and that His power was made perfect in weakness. As Christians, we should not expect a life free of suffering but should trust that God is working through our trials to shape us, strengthen our faith, and bring ultimate victory through Jesus Christ. Even in suffering, we are never alone—God fights for us, sustains us, and promises eternal life where all pain will be wiped away.

Three Reflection Points

1. Faith in Suffering – Job’s story reminds us that suffering is not necessarily a result of sin or wrongdoing. How do we respond to trials? Do we trust in God’s goodness even when we don’t understand His plan?

2. The Power of Reconciliation – Just as Job prayed for his friends, we are called to forgive and intercede for those who have wronged us. How does forgiveness shape our relationships and spiritual growth?

3. God’s Sovereignty and Grace – Job’s restoration teaches us that God blesses us not because of our works but because of His love and grace. How can we live in the confidence that God’s plans for us are good, even when life feels uncertain?

Three Questions:

1. How does Job’s response to suffering challenge the way you think about hardship and faith?

2. In what ways can we practice reconciliation with those who have wronged us, following Job’s example?

3. How can we learn to rely on God’s grace, as Paul did, when we experience struggles and weaknesses?

Three Prayer Points

1. For Trust in God’s Plan – Pray for the strength to trust in God’s goodness and sovereignty, even when life is difficult.

2. For a Heart of Forgiveness – Ask God to help us forgive others and seek reconciliation, just as Job prayed for his friends.

3. For Endurance in Trials – Pray that we would endure suffering with faith, knowing that God is with us and will bring restoration in His perfect time.

The Bible Project - Job

This is a really helpful overview of the Book of Job

Bibliography:

NIV Bible

Under the Unpredictable Plant - Peterson

Enduring Word.com

How to read the Book of Job: Walton/Longman

The Bible Project