JOB
READING PLAN + STUDY QUESTIONS
READING PLAN
JOB’S LOSS + SUFFERING
POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS FOR JOB’S SUFFERING
JOB DEFENDS HIS FAITHFULNESS
THE SOURCE OF WISDOM
GOD’S RESPONSE TO JOB
HOW TO USE
READ THE CHAPTERS IN THE BIBLE FOR EACH SESSION
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS + REFLECT ON THE READING
This study encourages going at your own pace, allowing each session to be a day, a week, or however long you need. Each session contains questions to be used for individual reflection or small group discussion.
This study was made to be used alongside Bible reading. Although we have created chapter summaries, there is no substitute for reading God's Word.
SESSION ONE: JOB 1-7
JOB’S LOSS + SUFFERING
According to Job 1:1, where did Job live? The text provides very little detail about the timing and location of Job’s story. Why might this have been intentional?
Using a study Bible or internet search, look up the meaning of the word “Satan.” What does this title mean? According to Job 1:7, where was Satan present?
In Job 1:6-12, how did Satan question Job’s faithfulness? How did God describe Job in 1:8?
Job 1:13-19 tells of the great loss and destruction that Job experienced. How did Job respond to this suffering (Job 1:20-22)?
In Job 2:1-6, Satan returned to God and continued to question Job’s faithfulness. How did God respond to Satan’s accusations?
According to Job 2:9-10, how did Job’s wife respond to Satan’s attacks against Job? How did Job’s response differ from hers?
In Job 2:11-13, how did Job’s friends respond to his suffering? Does this seem like a helpful response?
How would you describe Job’s lament in Job 3? What day did Job curse?
How did Eliphaz place blame on Job for his suffering? What does this say about how Eliphaz viewed God (Job 4:7, 5:6-7, 5:17)?
In Job 6, how did Job respond to Eliphaz? How does Job 6:24 highlight Job’s humility and innocence?
SESSION TWO: JOB 8-17
POSSIBLE EXPLANATIONS FOR JOB’S SUFFERING
Bildad questioned the cause of Job’s suffering. How do Job 8:6 and Job 8:20 reveal Bildad’s view of God’s justice system?
In Job 9:2, Job questioned how someone could be made right before God. How does Jesus reconcile believers with God (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-20)?
In Job 10, how did Job question God’s goodness and provision? What did he ask of God (Job 10:7)?
How were Job’s friends offering half-truths about God? How would this be confusing to Job?
How did Job feel after receiving the responses from his three friends (Job 12:4)?
In Job 13:1-12, how did Job defend God and refute the arguments of his friends?
Read Job 13:15. How did Job display hope in God despite his circumstances?
How does Job 14 share similar themes with the book of Ecclesiastes?
What accusations and assumptions were Job’s friends making against God in Job 15? How did the friends place blame on Job? What does this say about their view of God?
Read Jesus’ teaching in John 16:33. How would these words have been comforting to Job?
In Job 16:2, Job called his friends miserable comforters. How were their responses harmful?
What can we learn from them about supporting others during tragedy?
SESSION THREE: JOB 18-27
JOB DEFENDS HIS FAITHFULNESS
In Job 18, who did Bildad blame for Job’s misfortune? Why did Job’s friends doubt his innocence and righteousness?
Read Job 19:25. How does this verse foreshadow the future resurrection of Christ? Do you see any other references to Christ in Job 19?
In Job 21, Job challenged the idea that good things happen to good people while bad things happen to bad people. Does God ever promise positive outcomes for righteousness?
What did Eliphaz ask in Job 22:2-3? Have you ever asked this question?
In Job 23, how did Job both lament his suffering and trust God? How can these two experiences coexist?
How did Job describe wickedness in Job 24:20? Why might this be significant?
In Job 26, how did Job describe God’s power and majesty? How does Job 26:12 foreshadow the miracles of Jesus?
In Job 26, “Rahab” is not referencing the woman named Rahab in the book of Joshua. Look up the meaning of the word “Rahab.” To what do you think this is referring?
Read Job 27:8 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14. How do believers experience grief differently than those with no hope?
SESSION FOUR: JOB 28-37
THE SOURCE OF WISDOM
What does Job 28 reveal about Job’s pursuit of wisdom? How do Job’s beliefs coincide with Proverbs 9:10?
Read Job 29:2-4. How did Job describe his personal relationship with God? Of all that Job lost, what did he seem to mourn the most?
How does Job 30:26 summarize Job’s experience with suffering? Have you ever felt like everything was out of your control despite your best efforts?
In Job 31, how would you describe Job’s attitude towards God? Have you ever experienced a time when God felt silent or distant?
In Job 32-37, another bystander named Elihu offered his response to Job’s suffering. How does his perspective differ from those of Eliphaz, Zophar, and Bildad?
What words of Elihu seem consistent with God’s character throughout Scripture? What did he say that seems inconsistent with what you know to be true of God?
How did Job’s relationship with God prove to be more intimate and relational than Elihu’s?
Why do you think Eliphaz, Zophar, Bildad, and Elihu tried to rationalize Job’s suffering? Is it your natural reaction to offer potential solutions to problems or to show empathy?
SESSION FIVE: JOB 38-42
GOD’S RESPONSE TO JOB
When God spoke to Job directly, what type of questions did God ask? What do these questions reveal about Job’s limited perspective?
Based on what you know about the book of Ecclesiastes and the book of Proverbs, how does Job compare to the other books of wisdom literature?
In Job 40 and 41, God referenced two great creatures: the Leviathan and the Behemoth. What do you think these beings represent?
How did Job's response in Job 42:1-3 reflect his humility and repentance? What can be learned from Job's respect of God's power and wisdom?
In Job 42:7-9, how did God respond to Job’s friends? Who did God say was correct in their thinking? Throughout the book, how did Job speak rightly of God?
Why do you think that God restored Job’s family and wealth? What does this say about His character?
How does the book of Job reveal God’s attitude towards our doubt and suffering? How does the book serve as an invitation to trust in God despite hardships?
Way to go! You finished the book of Job!
Thank you for reading through the Bible with Everyday Scripture.
Keep going — the next book of Old Testament Poetry is Psalms!