It’s a matter of when, not if, you are going to go through difficult times in life. The question we must ask ourselves before we’re in the thick of it… Is God enough?
Key Scripture
Brief Overview of…
The Book of Job is part of a collection of works in the Old Testament known as wisdom literature. Among these books, Proverbs describes how making wise choices and cultivating godly character will often lead to health, success, and well-being. The Book of Ecclesiastes complements Proverbs’ teaching by warning that none of these rewards are guaranteed to anyone. Therefore, rewards should not become the ultimate goal in life. The book of Job goes one step further, exploring the situation of righteous people who not only are rewarded but who actively suffer, though no fault of their own.
Small Group Discussion
Feel free to add to the question below, skip those that don’t work for your group, or branch off with additional relevant questions as discussion unfolds. Conversation is key! This is a time to work through the application of Scripture and figure things out together.
Discuss the challenges of the opening two questions from the message notes:
- When you go through difficult, painful, gut-wrenching, and unbearable times… is/has God been enough?
- Do you love God for what He has done for you, or do you just love God?
Read Job 1:9–12.
- Have the walls ever caved in on you in your life? If so, how did that impact your relationship with and faith in the Lord?
- Have you ever thought that the difficulties you were facing were due to a lack of faith on your part? Have you ever considered that it might be just the opposite?
- Did Satan have direct access to Job? Who did Satan need to seek permission from?
- What do the biblical answers to these questions teach us today?
Read Daniel 3:17–18.
- Could you say the same thing as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in verse 18? Why or why not?
Read 1 Peter 5:10; 2 Corinthians 4:17; 2 Timothy 3:12; John 16:33; Romans 5:3; Romans 8:35.
- As a Christ-follower, what do these verses teach us about suffering, trials, and struggles? What does suffering in this world remind us of, teach us, and point us to? (Hint: see 1 Peter 2:11 and John 15:19).
- Discuss the real-life struggles of being in this world but not of it.
Read Romans 8:18.
- How can this verse encourage us when our circumstances seem too much to bear or when things aren’t going the way we want them to?
Read 2 Corinthians 12:10–11.
- What does it look like to boast in and even take pleasure in your infirmities and during times of great need?
- What does it look like to have strength in the midst of weakness?
Read Isaiah 55:9–11.
- What can you discern about God, His character, and His Word from these verses?
- In what ways do we struggle to our ways before God’s?
- How can meditating on these verses help provide assurance to know God is enough in every circumstance?
“Is God enough?”
- Seeing as we all have different priorities in life, what is the one thing in your life that you personally would have the most difficulty losing?
- What can you do to put this in its rightful place behind God?
Read 2 Corinthians 4:7–11.
- Is there anything in your life that needs to change for these verses to be true for you?
- Christ-followers are called to “die to self” daily. Are there parts of your life or people in your life you need to surrender to Jesus?
- How does God get the glory when you are fully submitted to Him?