Growth Project Radio

WEEK SIX

Reading- Job chapters 38-42

Supplementary Reading- ; ; ;

Questions to ponder:

1. What tone are we supposed to take away reading God’s opening words to Job ()?

2. Do you think God is chastising Job here?

3. When trying to teach Job what role He has in pain and suffering, what is the first question God asks Job and why do you think He started there ()?

4. What is God trying to say to Job (and to us) about the scope of His power and His presence () () () (; 11, 18, 33)?

5. Why do you think God listed all of these things to Job...what was His goal here especially in light of the fact that Job seems to acknowledge much of this already ()?

6. DoJob’sfirstwordsinchapter42giveussomeinsightintothis question ()?

7. What does Job conclude as it relates to the idea that his theology of pain and suffering was wrong ()?

8. Does it seem odd that Job could find something “wonderful” in God’s words despite the fact that he was still suffering from his tragedy (c)?

9. Throughout the first 37 chapters of this book, Job continuously both explicitly and implicitly asks why this is happening to him. Does God ever really answer Job’s question? Does He mention the interaction

The story related to us in John chapter 4 is often referred to as the story about the woman at the well. We don’t even know her name despite the fact that Jesus spent an amazing amount of time talking to this one person.

In fact, you would be hard pressed to find another point in the Bible where Jesus spent so much time talking to one specific person, which probably means we need to pay extra attention to this event. And it is an extraordinary event.

John chapter 4 introduces us to the woman in fascinating circumstances. We are told that Jesus and the Disciples are at a well outside of the town of Sychar in Samaria. The location is significant. Because throughout the Gospels, we told over and again of the Jews extreme dislike of the Samaritans.

Time prohibits us from going into detail concerning the genesis of this dislike, but suffice it to say that it was palpable. We see evidence of this in two interesting passages. In John chapter 8, after Jesus made the Pharisees extremely angry, they retorted with the worst accusation they could level. They said to Jesus: “Are we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan and have a demon?” (John 8:48) The Pharisees put demon possession and being Samaritan on equal footing.

Also note that in Matthew Chapter 10 when Jesus sent His Disciples out on a short term mission trip, He clearly stated: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.” This was not an attempt to keep the Gospel from the Samaritans, it was an acknowledgement that even His Disciples were not immune to this disdain of the Samaritan people.

And yet, here in John chapter 4, we see Jesus…sitting alone at a well…with a Samaritan woman. And the first words out of His mouth? The first words of the Redeemer to the one He was about to redeem? The opening salvo of the Messiah to a woman who desperately needed to hear the truth of His Gospel?

In essence… “will you give me a drink of water” (John 4:7). That’s it. That’s all it took to begin a conversation that would not only reveal salvation to her, but to a multitude of her fellow townspeople once she told them that the Messiah was out by the well.

How did He do this? She obviously came to the well because she was thirsty, but there is more to this story. Traditionally in that part of the world, water was drawn either early in the morning or early in the evening to avoid the brutal heat. It is estimated that the time of this encounter would have been noon.

This is borne out in the fact that there were no other people there with Jesus and this woman. Clearly, she was determined to draw water when there was less of a chance to run into other people. Why would that be the case? Because as the story unfolds, we discover several things about this woman that probably made her a pariah in the town.

When Jesus asks her to go and bring her husband back to the well, the woman answers: “I have no husband.” Jesus responds back that He is well aware of the fact that she has no husband and continues by stating: “The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true” (4:18).

Jesus doesn’t let her slide on her sin. She had had multiple husbands and was, in fact, at that time living with a man who was not her husband. Though that is relatively ignored in our culture today, it bordered on unforgiveable at that time. Hence the reason she came to the well at noon.

Jesus didn’t let her slide on her sin…but neither did He walk away in disgust. Instead, He loved her. And when He asked her for water at the beginning of the story, it was because He knew that He was going to give her living water…so that she would never be thirsty again.

And when He told her about this water, her response was the response of all of us who see our sin…and need forgiveness. She said: “Sir, give me this water, that I may not thirst” (4:15). When she tells Jesus that she is awaiting the Messiah and that when He comes He will tell all things…Jesus says to her: “I who speak to you am He” (4:26).

Jesus didn’t expect her to know more than she did. He didn’t turn away from her because of her sin. He didn’t avoid her because she was a Samaritan. He met her right where she was…which is what He does to us. And her life was transformed forever, because He first asked: Can I have a drink of water. How cool is that. On behalf of myself, Robert Houghton and all of us here at GP. Keep reading God’s Word.

Danny and I were unavailable to do a live show so instead, I'm sharing with you some behind the scenes silliness from the preshow. Enjoy this episode until we return next week. :-)

The Most Fascinating Two Words

In All of Scripture

“Jesus wept”, John 11:35. We know that this is the

shortest verse in the Bible. We also know that it is the

gateway to one of the most miraculous deeds Jesus

ever performed. Have you ever thought to stop and

ask…why Jesus wept? The answer may not be as simple

as it seems. Let’s talk about it. Here on 5 Minutes of

Truth.

For many folks, the extent of their knowledge about

this amazing two word Scripture passage is that it

indeed is recognized as the shortest verse in all 66

books of the Bible. Many a Bible trivia contests have

included this footnote as a way to test both the novice

and the scholar.

But if there were a verse that practically begged to be

proof-texted or misunderstood, it would be hard to top

this one. Part of it is rooted in the fact that the verse is

included in one of Jesus’ most amazing miracles. John

chapter 11 tells the story of Jesus raising Lazarus from

the dead. It is an incredible event.

Lazarus, a dear friend of Jesus along with his sisters

Mary and Martha, lived in Bethany. A relatively small

town on the south eastern slope of Mt. Olive some 1

and a half miles from Jerusalem.

This family must have been precious to Jesus because

some members of this family were actually mentioned

by name more than some of His 12 Disciples. John

chapter 11 begins with Jesus receiving word that

Lazarus was sick. The implication was that the family

was requsting His presence. Jesus, however, does

something interesting. He clearly states that this

sickness “would not end in death” (John 11:4). And

then…He lingered…for two more days before starting

the journey to Bethany.

Of course, by the time Jesus had arrived, Lazarus had

died from his illness. Since Bethany was about a day’s

journey from where Jesus was…and since Jesus lingered

for two days after receiving the news…and since we

know from Scripture that Lazarus had been dead 4 days

before Jesus got there: It is most probable that Lazarus

was already dead by the time Jesus got the message.

But that was the entire point. Jesus said the sickness

would not END in death. But Jesus wasn’t finished yet.

They were nowhere near the end of this story. Both

Mary and Martha, Lazarus’ sisters, were inconsolable.

So great was their grief that they both seemed to attach

Jesus’ lateness for the reason for Lazarus’ death. Both

sisters said: “Lord, if You had been here, my brother

would not have died”.

Jesus, as He did throughout Scripture, reassured them

by making one of His most hope-filled statements: “I am

the resurrection and the life. He that believeth in

me…though he were dead…yet shall he live.” I don’t

think the sisters had any idea what He meant with this

statement. But they, and us, were about to find out.

Jesus asked to be taken to the tomb where they had

laid Lazarus’ dead body. He asked that the stone would

be removed from the tomb at which point opposition

erupted. “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has

been dead four days.” Nonplussed Jesus did what He

always did…He revealed Himself for Who He truly was.

First, He prayed to His Father thanking Him for always

hearing Him…and then He said the famous words:

Lazarus…come forth. And that is exactly what he did.

But wait…weren’t we talking about a different verse?

The shortest verse? Jesus wept. Yes. But we can’t

understand that verse without seeing the whole

picture.

Let’s go back to our original question. Why did Jesus

weep? The quick, but incomplete, answer is: Because

He was sad about His friend. Granted. But we’re missing

something with that answer. After all…this is Jesus

we’re talking about.

Are we to think that He wept over the loss of His friend

all while knowing that He was going to see Lazarus

again in just a few moments? I mean, did Jesus just

forget He had the power to raise people from the dead

and it then just came to Him so that He said: Hey…why

am I crying? I can just resurrect Lazarus…yeah…that’s

the ticket.

Of course not. In fact, Jesus knew from the beginning

that Lazarus was going to die…and He knew that He was

going to raise him from the dead. If that’s the case…the

why the tears?

The answer is in verse 33. “When Jesus saw her (Mary)

weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He

groaned in the spirit and was troubled”. Then…He wept.

He wept because His children were weeping. He wept

because of what sin had and would continue to do to

His creation. He wept because He loved not only

Lazarus…and those around Lazarus…but also because

He loves us.

We will experience pain and suffering on this planet.

We will hurt at times more than we think we can bear.

We will weep for those whom we lose. And Jesus…He

weeps with us. And He whispers the words we long to

hear. “I will never leave you nor forsake you. And I am

with you always…even unto the ends of the age”. And

even…when we weep. How cool is that.

On behalf of myself, Robert Houghton, and all of us

here at Growth Project…keep reading God’s Word.

WEEK FIVE

Reading- Job Chapters 4-37

Selected Readings- 4:1-8; 5:1-2; 6:8-10; 7:1-11; 8:1-7; 10:1-7; 11:1-6;

12:1-3; 13:1-21; 18:1-4; 21:1-3; 22:1-11; 28:12-28; 29:1-25; 32:1-6;

33:8-12; 34:1-12; 36:24-33; 37:14-24

Questions to ponder:

1. What was Eliphaz’s rationality for speaking after observing seven

days of mournful silence ()?

2. What was Eliphaz’s errant theology concerning God’s involvement

with pain and suffering ()?

3. Is he right (; )?

4. What is ultimately Job’s errant theology concerning God’s

involvement with pain and suffering ()?

5. In reality, is Job’s understanding of God’s role in pain and suffering

any different than his friends?

6. What is Bildad’s errant theology of pain and suffering ()?

7. What existential question does every single person on the planet ask

at some point in their life when they are faced with tragic

circumstances ()?

8. Was every single word that came out of the mouths of Job’s friends

ultimately incorrect (b)?

9. Is it possible to be theologically correct but apply it to the wrong

circumstances?

10. What were the two things Job begged God not to ultimately do to

him ()?

11. Despite the fact that Job correctly concluded that all of this

calamity was not punishment for a specific sin (c), was Job

trying to claim that he was sinless throughout his entire life ()?

12. Compare the descriptions of Job found early in the book (; ; ) with Eliphaz’s description in . What

could account for Eliphaz’s accusations against Job?

13. Job longs for the good old days in . What do these fond

recollections lead us to conclude about Job’s errant theology

concerning God’s role in pain and suffering?

14. What was Elihu’s errant theology concerning God’s involvement

with pain and suffering ()?

15. Are you seeing a trend among every person in this story? What is

that trend?

16. What one huge mistake was present in the errant theology of pain

and suffering shared by Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, Elihu and even Job

himself?

12:1-3; 13:1-21; 18:1-4; 21:1-3; 22:1-11; 28:12-28; 29:1-25; 32:1-6;

33:8-12; 34:1-12; 36:24-33; 37:14-24

1. What was Eliphaz’s rationality for speaking after observing seven

days of mournful silence ()?

2. What was Eliphaz’s errant theology concerning God’s involvement

with pain and suffering ()?

3. Is he right (; )?

4. What is ultimately Job’s errant theology concerning God’s

involvement with pain and suffering ()?

5. In reality, is Job’s understanding of God’s role in pain and suffering

any different than his friends?

6. What is Bildad’s errant theology of pain and suffering ()?

7. What existential question does every single person on the planet ask

at some point in their life when they are faced with tragic

circumstances ()?

8. Was every single word that came out of the mouths of Job’s friends

ultimately incorrect (b)?

9. Is it possible to be theologically correct but apply it to the wrong

circumstances?

10. What were the two things Job begged God not to ultimately do to

him ()?

11. Despite the fact that Job correctly concluded that all of this

calamity was not punishment for a specific sin (c), was Job

trying to claim that he was sinless throughout his entire life ()?

12. Compare the descriptions of Job found early in the book (; ; ) with Eliphaz’s description in . What

could account for Eliphaz’s accusations against Job?

13. Job longs for the good old days in . What do these fond

recollections lead us to conclude about Job’s errant theology

concerning God’s role in pain and suffering?

14. What was Elihu’s errant theology concerning God’s involvement

with pain and suffering ()?

15. Are you seeing a trend among every person in this story? What is

that trend?

16. What one huge mistake was present in the errant theology of pain

and suffering shared by Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, Elihu and even Job

himself?

Did you know that when God replaced Saul as king of Israel with David that He referred to David as “a man after His own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14)? Did you also know that later David would also be known as liar, adulterer and murderer? Stick around and we’ll talk about it here on 5 minutes of truth.

Most Believers and indeed some non-believers are at least a little familiar with the life and times of Israel’s second King…King David. We are familiar with his being the youngest son Jesse and as such would have been the least likely of his children to be selected to follow Saul to the throne of Israel.

We are familiar with David’s exploits in the Israelite’s war with the Philistines and his unlikely victory over Goliath who stood over nine feet tall…though David himself was merely a boy in his mid-teens.

We are familiar with his undying loyalty to King Saul despite the fact that Saul sought numerous times to kill David. In fact, in one instance as Saul was alone and in the most vulnerable position imaginable, David had means and opportunity to kill Saul himself.

When David’s warriors pointed out this fact and alluded to the idea that God had delivered “your enemy into your hand”, David did not act on the opportunity.  Instead, David responded by saying, “The Lord forbid that I should do this thing…seeing he is the anointed of the Lord” (1 Sam. 24:6).

His allegiance to God and His sovereignty were so strong that David was not even willing to take the life of the man who was trying to unjustly kill him. David’s honor, faith, strength and courage are clearly seen throughout God’s Word. It is then no wonder why God referred to David as a man after His own heart.

But as Paul Harvey used to say…here is the rest of the story.

Once David succeeded Saul as king, Israel experienced an extended time of hope and prosperity. David won battles; reclaimed Jerusalem; and even showed kindness to Saul’s remaining family. Unfortunately it was not to last.

While his soldiers were at battle, David, while taking a walk on his balcony spied a young woman named Bathsheba bathing. After inquiring about her, David discovered that she was the wife of one of his own soldiers, a man named Uriah, who at that moment was out in the field defending his homeland.

Not willing to simply walk away, David had Bathsheba escorted to his home where they embarked in an adulterous relationship. Soon after, it was to become obvious that it was going to be difficult to hide the relationship when Bathsheba announced that she was pregnant.

In a panic, David decided on a course of action that, if successful, would hide his sin. He sent for Uriah to come home from the battle. The idea would be that Uriah would consequently sleep with his wife and the pregnancy could be easily explained. Problem solved.

The one thing that David did not count on was that Uriah would act more honorably than the man after God’s own heart. Upon arrival, Uriah refused to sleep at his home because he didn’t think it right…when his fellow soldiers could not do the same.

Even more panicked, David sought a more conclusive solution. He sent a letter with Uriah back to the front alerting David’s commander that in the battle to follow, Uriah should be placed at the front. Just in case the location would not ensure Uriah’s death, David ordered his commander to “retreat from him, that he may be struck down and die” (2 Sam. 11:15b). David had gone from a man after God’s own heart…to adulterer; liar; and murderer.

Here’s the thing though. God knows everything. Everything that has happened; that is happening; and more importantly…everything that will happen. So let’s take a moment and let this reality sink in. God chose David, used David, blessed David, and called David a man after His own heart…all while knowing David would lie, cheat and kill.

That is what grace is all about. God doesn’t bestow grace on us because of what we do…He does it in spite of what we do. He doesn’t bestow grace on us because we love Him…He does so despite the fact that we don’t love Him. He doesn’t bestow grace on us because we deserve it…but because we don’t deserve it. If we deserved it…it wouldn’t be grace.

If there is one reality in all of life it is that we will fall short…we will fail…we will sin. Even as Believers, we will sin. Paul himself said: The good that I want to do…I don’t do. The bad things I don’t want to do…that’s what I end up doing (Romans 7:19).

Yet despite all of that, God loves us…and even more…we are useful to Him. Our sin will not stop Him from using us. When Jesus confronted Peter with his impending sin of denial, Jesus focused on Peter’s restoration…not his sin. He said: “I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail, and when you have returned to ME…strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32).

God does not need our ability…He has all of the ability in the universe. He wants our availability. He does not need us at all…He wants us. Warts and all.

We could be a liar, adulterer and yes even a murderer…and still be a person after God’s own heart. Why?  “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). How cool is that?

On behalf of myself, Robert Houghton and all of us here at Growth Project…keep reading God’s Word.

Job's friends had the best of intentions but bad theology. Job's theology wasn't much better. This was a topic we didn't get to discuss last episode. Plus more fun and theology in this episode of Growth Project Radio. Job 2 and 3.

Outro Music KB - No Chains

© Reach Record

WEEK THREE

Reading-

Supplementary Reading-

Questions to ponder:

1. Why did God basically ask Satan the same questions He asked in chapter 1 (a)?

2. What was God trying to say to Satan by emphasizing Job’s

perseverance?

3. What did God say about the idea that He had allowed these things to happen to Job as punishment for sin on Job’s part (b)?

4. What are we to make of Satan’s continued desire to bargain with the only omniscient Being in the universe ()?

5. What prohibition did God place on Satan regarding his continued attack on Job ()?

6. Again, what does this say about whether God causes or allows pain and suffering? And is there a difference?

7. What is Job’s wife actually trying to infer here by her fatalistic statement ()?

8. What correlation does Job’s answer () have with

. What does this say about the idea that there are things about God that will always be a mystery to us?

9. What are we supposed to do with the idea of “secret things” and unfathomable ways that God moves in relation to pain and suffering?

10. What laudable actions can we take from Job’s friends and their reaction to Job’s horrific tragedies ()?