Encountering the Old Testament, 4th Edition
A Christian Survey
series: Encountering Biblical Studies
Materials available for professors by request only
Chapter
20. Job: One Man's Search for Justice
Discussion Questions
- How would you evaluate the importance of the family for instruction today when comparing it with the importance of the family in ancient Egypt?
- How much relevance does the Wisdom literature of the Old Testament have for contemporary Christians?
- How much do our attitudes toward a Christian friend in trouble today differ from the attitudes that Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar had toward Job?
- Does God speak to us today from a whirlwind as he did to Job?
Class Activities
- Divide the class into five groups. Assign one of Job’s responses to each group. Have the group decide on one to three verses that they feel best explains the theme. In a class discussion have each group read the verses they have selected and tell why they selected the verses. Class time allowed: 20 minutes.
- Divide the class into six groups. Ask each group to study the keys to wisdom in Job 28 and identify what they feel is an essential concept about wisdom. Conclude the class with a feedback session in which the groups share their ideas. Evaluate their ideas and write the key ideas on the board. Class time allowed: 25 minutes.
- Ask the students to find a partner with whom they will discuss the question: Why does God allow Christians to suffer today? Encourage examples from life experience. In a feedback session discuss the results of the work done by the pairs of students. Close by drawing parallels to Job’s situation. Class time allowed: 20 minutes.