Monthly Archives: July 2009

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION ON SUNDAY’S SCRIPTURES 080209

Posted on by
Reply

Psalm 23 – Lessons from the Valley
Learning to Trust God – Job 1:1 – 2:10
1. Job 1:6-12 & 2:1-6 present a challenging view on the source of suffering. This narrative almost establishes a challenge or bet between God and Satan – where Job is the object, or as one person put it, a pawn in their game. The rest of Job’s story makes clear that the point is not how Job and his family came to be under this great suffering. Rather, it points to how we remain in relationship with a God who is wholly other, completely righteous and just, when life is in fact filled with all sorts of painful and challenging experiences. Job losses family, goes broke, suffers physically, and because of this would have been scorned by his neighbors. Even his wife finally says, “Just curse God and die you fool!” (Italics mine). How does this part of the narrative fit with or challenge what you believe about God and the world?
2. How would you feel if someone suggested that part or all of the story may not be historical, but rather is told to teach a moral – much like Jesus’ parables?
3. Job says, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.” And then “Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?” How much to you really believe that all you have comes not from your own hard work, cleverness or luck, but from God’s provision?
4. What does that say about all those who lack even the very simplest necessities to feed and clothe their children and keep them healthy?
5. Twice (v1:22 & 2:10) we are told that Job did not sin with his lips or blame God. What might it look like to sin with the lips in this case? In what ways has Job refrained from sinning?
6. How does someone develop the kind of faith that Job demonstrates here? How close are you?

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION ON SUNDAY'S SCRIPTURES 080209

Posted on by
Reply

Psalm 23 – Lessons from the Valley
Learning to Trust God – Job 1:1 – 2:10
1. Job 1:6-12 & 2:1-6 present a challenging view on the source of suffering. This narrative almost establishes a challenge or bet between God and Satan – where Job is the object, or as one person put it, a pawn in their game. The rest of Job’s story makes clear that the point is not how Job and his family came to be under this great suffering. Rather, it points to how we remain in relationship with a God who is wholly other, completely righteous and just, when life is in fact filled with all sorts of painful and challenging experiences. Job losses family, goes broke, suffers physically, and because of this would have been scorned by his neighbors. Even his wife finally says, “Just curse God and die you fool!” (Italics mine). How does this part of the narrative fit with or challenge what you believe about God and the world?
2. How would you feel if someone suggested that part or all of the story may not be historical, but rather is told to teach a moral – much like Jesus’ parables?
3. Job says, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away.” And then “Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?” How much to you really believe that all you have comes not from your own hard work, cleverness or luck, but from God’s provision?
4. What does that say about all those who lack even the very simplest necessities to feed and clothe their children and keep them healthy?
5. Twice (v1:22 & 2:10) we are told that Job did not sin with his lips or blame God. What might it look like to sin with the lips in this case? In what ways has Job refrained from sinning?
6. How does someone develop the kind of faith that Job demonstrates here? How close are you?

Lessons from the Valley

Posted on by
Reply
David invites us into hope –
“Even when I am in the darkest valley that life can bring, I won’t be afraid, because God is with me.” Life is full of valleys. Some are self imposed while others are brought to us by others or simply by the unfolding of events beyond anyone’s control. David learned the lesson of Psalm 23 from his own valleys – he’d been there before, so he knew deeply that he need not be afraid. So, he wants to help us.

Jesus too wants to help us. Jesus challenges us beyond imagination:
* Love me above everything and everyone
* Don’t worry about your life, or food, clothing, shelter, or anything else
* Love your enemies –
* I mean really love them – and even pray for and bless them.
* They hate me, so they’ll hate you too – if you really follow me.
* Go, sell all that you have and give the money to the poor.
* Whoever tries to save their life will loose it.
* Whoever looses their life for my sake will find it.
* Take up your cross and follow me.

But at the end of it all, the very last thing he says to us is this:

“Do not fear, it is I.”
“Remember, I am with you always…”

You are not alone, no matter what you may think or feel at the time. When you are scared, uncertain, anxious, confused, intimidated, feeling inadequate, weak, broken, incapable and just down right bad – I am with you.
And one of your church kids reminded us Sunday, when asked if we are alone in our valleys, “No, Jesus and the other disciples are with you.” Indeed. We are supposed to be here for each other – which means speaking when we have a need. It means being available and willing to put our own stuff aside for a moment to listen. It means making some personal sacrifices as a way of sharing others’ burdens. It means going without what we want, so that others can get what they need.
In life’s valleys we learn to do these things, trusting that God will see that it all evens out in the end. It also doesn’t mean going without what we need to provide others what they want – BUT, Jesus does say to seek His kingdom and righteousness first, and our needs will be met by His provision.
Job had a series of terrible tragedies come his way. His story has been told for 3000 years because in we find our own stories. From it we learn how to live more faithfully before God.
Sermons for August 2009 – “Lessons from the Valley”
8/2 ~ Learning to trust God – Job 1:1-2:10
8/9 ~ Learning to accompany other – Job 2:11-13
8/16 ~ Learning to assess self – Job 26-31, esp. 30:15-31
8/23 ~ Learning to proclaim faith – Job 32-37, esp. 33
8/30 ~ Learning to know God – Job 38-42, esp. 42:1-6