Week 4: Now My Eyes See

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal)

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants share their responses to the question: “How has being part of this group been meaningful for you?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read Job 42:1-6, 10-17. (If time permits, read the whole chapter.)

Optional Opening Exercise:

Have participants draw or color an image that represents being restored. An alternative exercise, especially for more tech-savvy participants, is to have them use a cell phone, tablet, or other device to find images that represent restoration. Have participants share their images with the group. Another option is to have participants talk about times when they have felt restored.

Opening Question: What does restoration look like?

How would you feel if you were Job after your encounter with God and the restoration of your property and relationships? (Job’s cattle are doubled!)

Justified
Perturbed
Confused
Blessed
Acquitted
Humbled
Other

Do the abundant gifts given to Job make up for the trials he endured? If not, why do you think God blessed Job with so much? [They are signs of restoration of the relationship.]
Does Job get what he wants from God? [Job wanted an encounter with God. Moreover, Job wanted an acquittal from God that he was innocent.] How does Job get more or less than he desired?
How do you think Job’s understanding of God has enlarged since the Satan first encountered him (42:1-6)?
When God mentions (v. 7) that Job has been right, do you think that refers to Job’s response to God or that Job has been right all along?
Do you think Job’s action (v. 15) of giving his daughters a share equal to that of their brothers (not a common practice) and his prayers for his friends (v. 10) had something to do with his trials? [Interestingly, Job was already offering sacrifices for his children just in case they might have sinned (1:5). Though, giving his daughters names and an inheritance seems a step further.]
(R) Do you agree with the sentiment, “Being with God is more important than understanding God”? Why or why not?
(R) What might we learn from Job about what it means to trust God in all situations?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End by praying the following or a similar prayer:

God of Resurrection, we long for the day when your righteousness will be at home. Our hearts are weary from hearing stories of suffering and pain. Yet, we do not despair. As people of hope, we remember that Jesus did not abandon the cross but took on the sting of death. It is the empty tomb that reminds us that death, evil, and sin do not have the last word. Rather, the empty grave has the last word. Your love prevails. Give us the eyes to see and the words to share about your goodness. Amen.