Don't Give Up

THE LIFE OF JOB - WEEK 1
“Don’t Give Up”
Group Leader Guide for use October 23 - 29, 2011
Directions: This guide provides a menu of teaching and discussion materials to help in leading your group. Please select and use the materials that best suit your group.

FOR THE LEADER:
Sermon Recap – Just because life is hard does not mean that God is absent. On the contrary, God allows trials in our lives for a reason, and Job’s story shows us that He is often using them to prepare us for something great. We have to remember three important things when times are tough:

1. Life is hard,
2. God is still God, and
3. Don’t give up.

ICEBREAKER:

In the summer of 1985, Steve Jobs was fired by Apple. At the age of 30, Jobs went from one of America’s most successful and wealthiest businessmen to unemployed. Understandably, Jobs was devastated. We all know that Jobs ended up coming back to Apple 10 years later and returning the company to the top, but at the time nothing seemed to be going right. Sometimes life hits hard and we are knocked down, left confused and unsure of the future. History is full of stories of failure that lead to restoration. Steve Jobs was fired, Bill Gates dropped out of school, and Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.

Discuss examples of failure and restoration as a group. This is a good chance to draw comparisons back to the book of Job.

Allow group members to share personal stories during this time about difficult times they have faced. What was learned during these trials?

We have something even better to lean on than human ingenuity or talent, we have the living God! When life gets difficult the best thing we can do is trust God, despite our circumstances. Doesn’t it help to know that God is on our side? God says to us numerous times throughout the bible that He will never leave us or forsake us. Encourage each other with that promise.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
Leaders’ note: Answers provide Bible verses for the group to look at together as you reinforce the Bible as the guide and source for victorious living.

Q: Is it fair to assume that everyone gets frustrated with their circumstances at some point? In those times of trial, what is the Biblical way to handle it?

A: 2 Corinthians 11:22-30; Galatians 6:7-9; 1 Peter 1:3-9; Psalm 46:1-3; Joshua 1:8-9
When we run into trouble in our lives, our natural response is fear and anger. The Bible shows us clearly that we are not intended to merely "make it through," though; we are instructed to remain patient, knowing that God will make everything work out in the end - in His timing, and for His glory. We are to keep our chins up, not growing weary or tired. This is a mindset we must choose, but it can be bolstered by seeking out encouragement from friends and family who want the best for us. We are instructed to remain in prayer constantly, keeping our eyes focused on God and not become distracted by our rough circumstances. We have examples to follow that show us that we should actually rejoice in and be thankful for things that come into our lives, both good and bad. All things work together for good when it comes to God's children, and it is important to remember that our weakness is the best magnifier for God’s strength. (Leaders, consider taking time to discuss that idea. How is that possible?) Though it may not seem like it at the time, we can have peace knowing that God’s glory (and often our benefit) will come from what we endure.

Q:What are some of the attributes of God that we can keep in mind and take comfort in when facing trials?

A: 2 Thessalonians 3:3; Matthew 6:25-34; John 16:33; Colossians 1:15-18; Proverbs 18:24

God is FAITHFUL. He will not leave you alone or forget about you. He is in this with you "for the long haul!" He is not a fair-weather friend who flees when trouble assaults those whom He loves and calls His own. God is GOOD. The same God who created all of the wonderful and lovely things we see and experience in our earthly lives is the same God who is with you during trials. He does not delight in seeing us suffer; in fact it is quite the opposite: He loves to give favor and good things to His children. God is omniscient. He knows what we need even before we realize it ourselves. He knows what is best for us. We can let go and relinquish control knowing that He knows better than we do. God is in control. He has already won the biggest fight against the enemy. We can take comfort knowing that He will never be defeated. We, as His children, are a part of this victory. Nothing else has control over His children, not even death. Even when it seems like He is far away, He really is the “friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Q: (Part 1) At some point, most of us have probably had a friend ask, “Why am I going through this?” or ”Why is life so hard?”  How should we explain/respond to  questions about hard times? Why is it important for us as believers to never give up during these times?

(Part 2) Is there anything in your life that is causing you to want to give up? How can you apply your own advice here?

A: Galatians 6:7-9; Job 1:1; 1 Peter 5:6-9; James 1:2-4, 12

Life is hard. It is not wrong to admit that. Many times we can not explain why we go through trying situations; we will encounter tough trials and experience bad things at some point during our lives.  However, we will all also experience good times. Jesus’ life on earth was full of good times and bad; we see this in the life of Job as well.  Jesus was sinless and perfect, and Job was blameless and upright, but they still had to endure hard times just like we will. They both suffered spiritual, mental and physical hardship but it is important to note that neither gave up when dealing with hard situations. They both turned to their Heavenly Father for guidance and so should we.

As believers we should never give up because the Lord tells us that our reward is in heaven and that we will reap a harvest if we never give up.  Remember, our reward is ahead of us. (Leaders, consider discussing that idea. How does someone’s life look different when he knows his reward is ahead of him rather than behind him?) We must stay focused on that during tough times and allow the Lord to increase our faith in Him through it.     

L.E.A.D.S. Application:

The heart of NewSpring home groups is summarized by the acronym L.E.A.D.S.:

L – learn the Bible together
E – embrace serving together
A – assist one another
D – devote ourselves to generosity
S – send people out to start new groups

Assist one another.

In a time of hardship, one of the most valuable things we can have is the supporting shoulder and uplifting prayer of a Christian brother or sister. We definitely can’t do life alone. If time allows, have each group member honestly assess the state of affairs in his/her life. Have your group take slips of paper and write real, honest prayer requests - not the “I need patience” kind, but the “I’m really having trouble dealing with this” kind. Then, following your discretion, have them draw one of those requests from a hat and spend time praying for it, or either take them yourself and lift up your group throughout the week. If you choose the latter, be sure to send encouraging messages or phone calls to remind the person that you are beside them in prayer and that God’s got a big thing in mind. This will function as both the L.E.A.D.S. application and the prayer time idea this week. Do not just blow through this as a time-wasting activity; instead, plan your group meeting around intentionally assisting each other in this way.

Recommended Resources:

1) The care room on Sundays.
2) A Time to Heal: A Grief Journal by Beth Marshall (dealing with grief and loss)
3) Zac Smith’s story