God-Wrestlers

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Sermon Follow Up

Summary

Some of Job’s speeches to his friends are actually speeches he’s making to God. Job is picking a fight with God, calling Him to the mat, and approaching Him boldly. Though we may bristle at hearing Job pick a fight with God, we should admire the fact that he is as open to being body slammed by God as he is to being blessed by Him (perhaps the two aren’t mutually exclusive?). If we read Scripture carefully, we’ll notice that Job is in good company with other righteous men who wrestled with God. Parts of Job’s assessment are incorrect, but his fighting spirit is worth imitation—as is God’s response to those who wrestle with Him. We shouldn’t only practice dishing it out—we should also be able to take it when others wrestle with us.

Discussion/Reflection Questions

-Read Job 13:20–24. Job wants to speak, but he also asks God to answer and make his sins known. When you bring your complaints to God, how willing are you to have your own assumptions examined? What might that look like in practice?

-Consider Abraham (Genesis 18:22–33), Jacob (Genesis 32:22–32), and Hezekiah (Isaiah 38:1–5). What do their appeals reveal about their confidence in God’s character and promises? How might their examples change your prayers?

-Jacob leaves his encounter with both a blessing and a limp. How might correction itself be a blessing? Have you experienced a difficult encounter with God’s Word—or with another person—that proved fruitful?

-Think about those whose lives you influence: children, a spouse, employees, or fellow church members. How do you respond when they question your judgment or challenge a decision? What would help you distinguish an earnest appeal from rebellion and receive it with patience?

Family-friendly Version

Big idea: Job was honest with God and told Him how he felt about what God had brought into his life. We should be honest with God and with our parents about how we feel too.

Talk about it: When you’re sad or angry, is it hard to talk to your parents respectfully? What might it sound like to say you’re sad or mad without disrespecting them? Parents, how can you help your children feel comfortable telling you how they feel?