Job 32-37

Main Idea: When we counsel suffering people, we should always remind them of God’s sovereign, all-powerful nature and encourage humility as we examine his ways.

Head Change: To know we must be wise in how we approach conversations about spiritual matters.

Heart Change: To feel a deeper sense of humility when we pray for understanding or talk about hard things.

Life Change: To seek and offer wisdom with humility and reverence for God.

Who is your favorite online news source or “influencer,” and why?

Due to the length of this passage, only read Job 32:1–12; 34:5–10; 37:1–13 for a general overview of this section.

What was different about Elihu’s approach to Job compared to the other three friends?

Whose counsel should we point others to when trying to advise them about their perspective on life?

Read Job 32:1–12.

How realistic is it for even the most moral, generous, servant-hearted person to live sin-free? What does Job’s argument reveal about his heart?

How willing are you to receive rebuke or advice from someone younger than you? What makes you open to or closed off from their perspective?

What can stop us from speaking in situations with older people? When have you felt encouraged to offer advice to them?

When you talk with someone about spiritual matters, how do you know you are repeating God’s wisdom versus offering your own?

What reaction do you usually have when confronted with an arrogant attitude in a discussion on spiritual matters? How do you know when it’s time to end a conversation in which you cannot agree with the other party?

Read Job 34:5–10.

How realistic is it for even the most moral, generous, servant-hearted person to live sin-free? What does Job’s argument reveal about his heart?

How do you react to disagreements about Bible passages, theology, or church matters? To what degree have you sounded like Job and Elihu? In what ways have you learned to offer your views humbly?

Read Job 37:1–13.

In what ways can our philosophic or theological arguments cause us to treat God like a problem to be solved rather than a God to be worshipped? What would it look like to marvel at God while we wonder at his works?

How do you think you would react to Elihu’s warning if you were experiencing such dire suffering? What does it take for you to listen when a friend offers you truth you don’t want to hear?

Do you tend to try to fix people with your earthly perspective or do you bring them to God? The next time you are approached for advice, what can you do to ensure you speak according to scriptural truth?

Where do you look for wisdom when you are suffering? What could it look like for you to seek and share God’s wisdom in your current circumstances?