Why? Discussion Guide - Week 4

Welcome
Welcome to Part 4 of our series in the book of Job. In the past three weeks we have considered some of the uneasy questions about God which Job’s story presents to us. Why do bad things happen, especially why do bad things happen to good people? Does suffering have some kind of purpose or reason? Is God fair or just? And those questions give rise to so many others and to many deep feelings as we try to relate to one another and to God. This week we consider the emotional aspects of the hard situations. How do we express deep hurt, frustration, and powerlessness? Is it okay to be angry with God?  


Opening Prayer
Powerful God, we want to know you more. You are the one who sees all things, all that happens to us and all the deep emotion that comes with it. Today as we talk about the annoyance and pains and frustrations that give rise to anger, lead us into understanding and not to despair. We need you to help us express what we feel to others around us and to you directly.  


Ice Breaker
What is something that always makes you smile – It can be a person, a pet’s greeting, a memory. Anything that elicits a good feeling when it happens.  


The Head
After many days and tremendous loss, Job’s friends come to comfort him. Although their intentions are good, and their observations reasonable, by their own perspectives, they really are not much comfort at all and the conversations become accusatory rather than supportive. Through it all, Job persists in his own righteousness. It is obvious from his language, that he is not just in physical and emotional pain, but is increasingly angry both at his friends and at God.  Finally he addresses God.  

Job 30:20-23

I cry out to you, God, you do not answer: I stand up, but you merely look at me.
You turn on me ruthlessly; with the might of your hand you attack me.
You snatch me up and drive me before the wind; you toss me about in the storm.
I know you will bring me down to death, to the place appointed for all the living.

Job 30:30-31

My skin grows black and peels; my body burns with fever.
My lyre is turned to mourning and my pipe to the sound of wailing.

• What specific verbs does Job use to describe what God does to him? 
• What images do these words suggest?
• What emotion do these words convey? 
• In what ways is Job justified in saying these things to God? 
• What is the root of Job’s anger?

Job 31:35

Oh that I had someone to hear me!
I sign now my defense – Let the Almighty answer me;
let my accuser put his indictment in writing.  

• What demand does Job make in these verses? What does such a demand imply about God and/or his interest in Job’s hurt?  
• Think of Jesus’s words on the cross “My God, My God.  Why have you forsaken me?” Matthew 27:46. Compare Job’s cry concerning his suffering to Jesus.  

The Heart
Job loses everything. His story could be a lesson in the stages of grief - shock, denial, anger, bargaining, testing, and acceptance. After days of conversations with seemingly well meaning friends, Job responds in anger to God. Where are you God? Do you see what’s going on with me? Do you care? Why did you do this to me? Questioning is part of the way we process the feelings associated with loss and pain in our lives. We question in our own minds, we may strike out with harsh words to friends or family who annoy us with shallow understanding of our feelings. And ultimately we question God.

• In what ways can you identify with Job? 
• What can you share about your own experience with grief? 
• What role do friends play in processing grief? Would you rather have your friends close or not have to deal with them? Explain your thoughts. 
• Why does angrily questioning God sometimes seem like a betrayal of faith? How might it be seen as an act of faith instead? 

The Hands
How we process deep emotions related to loss impacts our relationships - with friends and family, and with God. Did you try some of the positive affirmations suggested last week?

This week consider the lesson of the hazelnut – It is such a small seed/nut that can be held in hand or trampled with barely a notice. Yet, as with everything, the hazelnut was created by God and it is loved as part of creation by God, and is sustained by God.  

• What can you do each day to remember that you are created, loved, and sustained by God?
• What gets in the way of you knowing that you are created, loved, and sustained by God?
• In your conversations with God this week, talk about your feelings. Notice how the act of sharing your feelings with God impacts your relationship with God. 

Closing Prayer
Holy Father, we need to know you are there. When we are tired and burned out, when the challenges seem too great, when our life situations are hard and we feel like giving up, we need to know someone cares. Thank you for this group and for the encouragement shared. Help us to be encouraging to others this week. Amen.


Going Deeper
Read I Kings 19 in which Elijah has a conversation with God about his feelings of abandonment. How does God’s response give Elijah hope?  

Many of the Psalms are prayers of desperation. Read Psalm 88, for example. The fact that these types of prayers are included in scripture assures us that God can handle whatever emotion we are going through. God is not put off by our anger, but rather comes near to hear whenever we call. Do you agree or disagree? Read Psalm 91, an assurance of God’s care.


From Pastor Charity
BAPTISM SUNDAY
Sunday, November 24

Join us on November 24th for Baptism Sunday! Whether you’ve never been Baptized, don’t remember your Baptism, or desire to mark a new season in your faith, you are welcome to come forward and respond to God’s grace in this way. Click HERE to learn more or to sign up.

FAITH IN PRACTICE CLASSES: WORSHIP WITH OTHERS
Thursday, December 5 from 6:30 – 8:30pm
McCausland Site Sanctuary

The Gathering has six shared practices: prayer, worship, grow in groups, serve, give, and invite. In the coming months, Pastors and Staff will lead classes on each of these practices. Whether you're questioning, curious, or committed to Jesus or the church, these classes are for you! This month we will dig deeper into the practice of Worship. Click HERE to learn more or to sign up.

A CoreGroup Podcast with Pastor Charity
For all things groups, community, transformation, leadership, and faith practices, check out this new CoreGroup podcast! You can give it a listen HERE.