Sometimes hard things happen because we have sinned and sometimes it doesn't have anything to do with what we've done. Give examples.

How do you think Job was able to keep believing in God's goodness? We need the growing ingredient of Knowing God. When negative circumstances happen, that does not mean His love for us has changed or His control has faltered. Job confesses his ignorance and lack of trust, and he repents. We, too, need to remember God's character. 'Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Where does darkness reside? Let him who accuses God answer Him!' Job’s realization: God is the only One in control. His friends falsely accuse Job, 'Your own sin has brought God's punishment,' which Job denies. Job doesn't blame God, but he does begin to despair. God describes Job as 'blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.' Soon after, Job's life goes from wealth and happiness to great suffering. Job 42:1-6 FAMILY INGREDIENT: KNOWING GOD FOR MORE CONTEXT, WATCH THIS VIDEO FROM 'THE BIBLE PROJECT' Ultimately, we are shown that in the face of suffering and grief, God invites us to trust Him, His eternal goodness, and His work in the midst of our suffering. The story of Job resonates with us deeply because it deals with questions such as: Why do bad things happen to good people? Do I deserve the suffering I'm experiencing? What is God's role in human suffering? Why is suffering a reality in our world at all? These are questions that have troubled humanity since sin and suffering entered the world after the Fall. It plays out in a series of conversations between Job and four friends, culminating in a conversation between God and Job. The remainder of the book deals with Job's desire to know why he is suffering. After two chapters, Job has lost everything. So much so, that God is willing to allow Satan to afflict Job in various ways to prove that Job's faithfulness is not merely a result of God's blessings upon him, but of Job's commitment to the Lord. When the story begins, Job has everything - family, wealth, possessions. The book of Job focuses on one man, Job, and his experience with suffering and grief. None of the story's main characters are even Israelite people. In fact, the story takes place in a city called Uz, which isn't in Israel. Chronologically, there is uncertainty as to where Job's life fits within the Old Testament timeline. Before moving on to the second era, the PATRIARCHS, we want to spend a week reading portions of the story of Job. Last week's reading brought an end to the first era of the Old Testament storyline, the CREATION era.

Job timeline bible