|
It is my desire and hope that this Study Guide will cause you to excel at understanding who Christ has called you to be, so that you may show others by your life and heart, the power of Christ, by which you have been saved. This Study Guide would not have been done without my dear and blessed friend and sister in the Lord, Dr. Consuelo Meux. She saw a need and fulfilled it out of sheer love through her servant's heart. I am forever grateful to her many hours of effort and perfection that is found in this work. Sandra
Prayer of Job Teacher's Manual
By Consuelo Sterling Meux, Ph.D
July, 2003
NOTE: This Teacher's Guide will work with either the Original Edition or the Expanded Edition.
Table of Contents
Lesson One:
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Hope in the Midst of Trials
• Chapter 2: The Greatness of Man
• Lesson One: Review and Application
Lesson Two
• Chapter 3: To Know God is To Trust Him
• Chapter 4: Consider Me
• Lesson Two: Review and Application
Lesson Three
• Chapter 5: Job the Worshiper
• Chapter 6: Losing Greatness
• Chapter 7: When Fear Destroys Faith
• Lesson Three: Review and Application
Lesson Four:
• Chapter 8: When Grief Is Greater Than Grace
• Chapter 9: Is Your Righteousness Bigger Than God’s?
• Chapter 10: Maintaining Your Ways
• Lesson Four: Review and Application
Lesson Five:
• Chapter 11: Judging Ourselves
• Chapter 12: From Hearing to Seeing
• Chapter 13: Job’s Prayer
• Lesson Five: Review and Application
Lesson Six:
• Chapter 14: Find a Mirror, Not a Telescope!
• Chapter 15: Did They Put You in Bondage When You Weren’t Looking?
• Lesson Six: Review and Application
Lesson Seven
• Chapter 16: Enemy Praying
• Chapter 17: Your Captivity Will Turn
• Chapter 18: New Destinations
• Prayer of Job
• Lesson Seven: Review and Application
How to use this Study Guide:
The goal of this study guide is to help you enter into an adventure --- an adventure of learning what trusting God truly means. By studying the principles set forth in the book the Prayer of Job by Sandra Querin, you will learn what coming to truly trust God requires of you. How you are to demonstrate that trust, and incorporate the necessary changes in your walk with Christ to live out that trust, will become evident as you prayfully work your way through the lessons.
Although you may work at your own pace, the best way to complete the study guide is to do one set of lessons each week over a seven-week period. Each chapter begins with a list of all of the scriptures that appear in that chapter. You should read each of these scriptures to come to an understanding of how they highlight the specific topic area addressed in the chapter. At the end of each lesson, you will have the chance to review each chapter and select two or three points that are particularly relevant to your life at this time. You will record these in the review section and determine how to best apply these lessons to your life.
I pray that you will be ready and able to honestly pray the Prayer of Job by the time you come to the end of Lesson Seven. I believe that you will be completely changed in your walk with the Lord at that time and will only seek to do what you know would delight His heart.
May the Lord make His face to shine upon you and give you peace.
In Christ’s Love,
Consuelo Meux, Ph.D.
FOR GROUP LEADERS: You will want to have a copy of the student's guide to work through on your own, as this version does not have space for writing your own answers. Many of the questions are reflective in nature, and you will want to be sensitive to the personalities in your group. Many of the questions are rephrased here so that you may ask for a verbal response, rather than written.
LESSON ONE: Introduction, Chapter 1 and 2
Introduction: Learn to be Honest With God
Theme Sentence: “When we are honest with God we find that we aren’t nearly as bad as we thought and the Lord isn’t nearly as judgmental as we thought.”
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scripture: How do the chapter Scripture verses relate to your truthfulness with God?
Daniel 11:32
To move in God's power, we must know Him and not behave wickedly to gain flattery when the truth of God is in us, we must be strong!
2 Chronicles 16:9
A perfect heart toward God is honest before Him and stands ready for God to bless them and others.
Hebrews 12:29
Allow God to consume everything in your life and heart. Everything.
Isaiah 48:10
Don't give up when trials come. The trial is the furnace of affliction, which we will be "chosen" out of. Trials prove what is in you. Being refined is a process of purification and perfection. Our behavior during trials will expose what is in us.
Proverbs 21:16
When we refuse to understand what God is trying to tell us, because we are afraid of losing something, we kill our spirit and will no longer grow in God. To wander out of the way of understanding is to wander away from wanting to know.
Finish these sentences:
1. Our God is a forgiving God, so we seek forgiveness from Him.
2. He is a merciful God, so we enjoy His mercy.
3. He is a long-suffering God, so we ask Him to be patient with us.
4. He is a God of truth, but are we truthful with Him?
How can truth often be hidden?
Answer: Because of wounds.
Fill In: “Hidden truth is the hidden treasure that will buy your freedom in Him. Without the honesty to find that truth, we can never fulfill our call. Without honesty, we will never really know liberty; we will always have one foot on top of that grave, lest what is buried there emerge when we’re not looking.”
What does this statement mean to you? “When I’ve become afraid of the truth, religion and tradition replace honesty.”
“King Saul and King David were both servants of the Lord." What was the big difference between these two men?
Answer: One was honest before God (which gave him a “heart after God’s own heart”), and the other was not.
Chapter 1: Hope in the Midst of Trials
Theme Sentence: “I had to put my trust not in the promise, but in the One who gave it.”
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scripture: How does this Scripture relate to your hope in the midst of trials?
Ezra 7:6
Ezra knew that God would be faithful
Sandi said, “Sometimes what He says takes a while to happen --- with me it took 35 years.” What does this teach us about the difference between our idea and God’s idea of “a long time?”
The struggle between the spirit and the flesh has created “the walking wounded” of this current age. Complete the following phrases that describe aspects of the “walking wounded.”
1. tried to have faith
2. tried to believe
3. tried to move on
4. lets wound fester too long
5. cut goes too deep
5. surface of skin has healed
7. underlying tissue is infected
8. ministers out of wounds
9. Lord wants them to minister out of His healing
Which sentence best describes your current truth?
_____1. I am a “walking wounded” carrying around wounded faith.
_____2. I have never been wounded. My faith is fully intact.
If you checked #1, what are the wounds that you are carrying around?
Fear Destroys Faith
In Luke 17, what lay within the faith of the leper who came back, glorified God, and thanked Jesus?
Answer: Trust
What is the difference between being cleansed and being made whole?
Cleansed
Walks around and looks good
Plants flowers over bondage
Fills life with falsehoods
Missing physical leprosy
Made Whole
Heart and motive are without leprosy
Compelled to call leprosy out of others
Believe in healing for others
Sweeps shadows out of your soul
Fill-In:
We can have faith, but without trust, it will never take us to the abundance God has for us.
Fill-In:
Christ doesn’t look back on our troubles; He looks ahead into our triumphs. He doesn’t see us as a victim but as a victor. We must decide to look forward with Christ and let Him dig up the things that keep us in bondage.
Remember: “Let Him begin the remodeling of our souls.”
Through his experiences (trials, sorrows, sufferings, etc.) Job learned how to really pray. Instead of being concerned for himself, what did Job embrace in his prayer?
Answer: He embraced the burden of his friends as well as his enemies.
The Prayer of Job
Read Sandi’s interpretation of this prayer slowly and thoughtfully. Pray that at the end of this course, you will be ready to embrace the burden of your friends as well as your enemies in your prayers.
(You may want to take time for prayer in pairs, or as a group.)
Chapter 2: The Greatness of the Man
Theme Sentence: “Above all, God is concerned with how our hearts search for Him.”
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scripture: How do these Scriptures relate to the greatness of man?
Job 1:1-3
He was perfect, upright, feared God and had much substance.
Job 1:21
The only true "greatness" test is to love Christ and trust Him.
Genesis 17:1
To walk before God will cause true greatness to be in our lives.
Genesis 22:10-12
To hear God and respond to Him is greatness.
In order to understand Job’s prayer, we have to first understand the man Job. We learn that Job had “stuff.” What types of “stuff” did Job have that made him appear to be a great man?
Answer: Job had many sheep, cattle, and servants, and much land. Job also had seven sons, three daughters, and one wife.
Job was devoted to the Lord. What evidence of this devotion did you find?
Answer: Job held nothing higher than God. He was also perfect, upright, God-fearing and always stayed away from evil. He probably praised God on a daily basis as he made his sacrifices and offerings to Him saying, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Fill-In:
A statement made out of devotion is different from one being made out of passion, just as conviction is different from commitment --- close, but still missing the mark.
In what way did Job still need to encounter God?
Answer: In a way that would forever turn his devotion into intense passion.
Pursuing Perfection
Fill-in:
Aiming for perfection while walking with God is an ongoing process that the Holy Spirit enables us to do. It must be attainable or the Lord would not have commanded it.
What were the differences between the perfection of Abraham and Job? Abraham
Shows a higher calling
Came from walking with God
Job
Gentle and upright
Had not seen God
How would the Lord help Job pursue a better definition of perfection? Answer: Through allowing Job to suffer.
Why do we try so hard to exist with our bondages?
Answer: Because the truth hurts and the truth costs.
Just like Job, the deep issues of your heart hold you captive, turn into sins which “so easily beset us,” and stay until you give God permission to take them away. Review the story of King Saul on page 11. Prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what bondages you are trying to exist with even though “the truth hurts and the truth costs.” Let the “love of Christ provoke you towards God’s perfection" by identifying these bondages in your life.
(You may want to take some time for prayer in pairs or as a group.)
Trials Bring Revelation
What does God bring to you through trials:
1. Trials bring revelation
2. Trials bring truth
3. Trials cost me my greatness
4. Trials tear up my lawn
5. Trials kill my gophers (hidden truths)
6. Trials reveal how closely I am walking with the Lord (or not)
Review the story about Sandi wanting to go to town and her father’s reaction. What does this sentence mean to you? “When we can have a good attitude about doing without the things we earnestly desire, then we have earned the right to have them.”
Answer these questions:
1. What is your greatness?
2. Is this greatness standing in the way of God’s purposes for you?
3. Do you have a door in the back of the great house of your heart that says (to God), “I’ve given you everything else, but this is mine, DO NOT ENTER?”
If you answered “yes” to question 3, what is it that your heart is protecting from God?
4. Are you willing to pay the price of opening the door for God to bring true greatness into your life?
LESSON ONE: REVIEW AND APPLICATION
Introduction, Chapters 1 and 2
What are two to three of the most important points from each chapter for you at this time in your life?
What are the specific steps that you will take to apply these to your life?
How will you be accountable for your goals?
Would anyone like to share your short prayer concerning this lesson and your commitment to applying the principles you have learned to your life?
LESSON 2: Chapters 3 and 4
Chapter 3: To Know God is To Trust Him
Theme Sentence: Faith alone says, “I believe that God heals and delivers,” but faith built on trust says, “I believe He will do it for me!”
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scriptures: How do these Scriptures help you to know God in order to trust Him?
Job 1:6-7
God is in charge and the devil can do nothing without God's permission
Psalm 20:7
Even though it's tempting, don't put your trust in anything but Christ.
Judges 3:15-31
Trust God to get you through hard things, things that are not familiar to you, things you cannot accomplish yourself. This allows God to be supernatural in our lives!
God trusted Job: Job needed to learn to trust God in the same way. What are the ways in which God has shown His trust in you? How do you now realize this?
Ex: My job, I have a chance to minister to the unsaved through my life.
Did you recognize these situations/challenges, etc. as God showing you how much He trusts you? How does this change your perception of your current overall situation/challenge?
Which statement best describes your heart situation right now?
1. I never realized that all of my current situation/challenges reflect God’s trust in me.
2. I always realized that all of my current situation/challenges reflected God’s trust in me.
3. I trust God in all ways and in all conditions of my life, no matter what.
4. I realize that there are areas in my life where I do not fully reflect unconditional trust in God.
Review the story of the old airline pilot and of Sandi’s trip to the riverbank with her children. How do these stories speak to your heart about having complete trust in God in desperate situations?
Remember: “He will be in control of your ship if you’ll take your hand off the wheel and place it in His.”
Giving Up Control
“We need to lose control of who we have become and let Him show us who we will be.”
1. What is in your life that keeps you so tangled up that you have no peace?
2. What is it that you can’t lose control of, or trust anyone with, not even Christ?
3. What priorities have you so scrambled that you are running in circles spiritually and emotionally?
Review the story of Ehud, the left-handed Benjamite. Most of us would see Ehud’s situation as a challenge, not an opportunity. Most people would see this as God trying to get something FROM us, not FOR us.
How is God using the challenges in your life as an opportunity?
What is He doing FOR you by allowing this opportunity in your life at this time?
“If we can’t learn to trust, then we’ll never be able to pray the Prayer of Job.”
Fill-In
Partial praying is really not praying at all, just as partial obedience is simply glorified disobedience. Partial praying is merely our way of attempting to control God’s intentions towards us.
Do you want to be a victim of your own fear and control? Or a product of God’s will and desire?
Chapter 4: Consider Me
Theme Sentence: “God’s Word must always be tried and tested and proven in us.”
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scripture: How do the Scriptures speak to how God considers His chosen ones?
Job 1:8
Job 23:10
Job 7:17-18
Psalms 105:17-19
Ephesians 6:12
Psalms 105:19
Jude 1:3
James 1:12
James 1:12
Philipians 4:13
2 Corinthians 12
Malachi 3:3-4
Isaiah 48:10
Psalms 27:13-14
The lesson teaches that God sometimes allows testing in our lives. “We may not be able to control our situation, but we can control our behavior in the midst of it.”
What are some of the current or recently encountered tests in your lives? Did you have overwhelming grief in the midst of your trial, or were you steadfast in Christ?
“Job would have to learn to trust God and let his emotions follow."
What are areas in your life where you need to trust God first and let your emotions follow?
Do these areas relate to the situation you reflected upon in the prior questions about your behavior during a recent testing?
If yes, what does this teach you about going through a spiritual trial?
What is Satan’s reaction to the Word of God when it goes out on your behalf?
Answer: Satan hates it and will attempt to steal it from me.
Can the devil steal what has been given to you without being invited to do so by you?
Answer: NO.
Most of the time, how do you invite Satan to steal what has been given to you by God?
Answer: Most of the time, I invite him without even knowing that I have done it, because I don’t pay attention to what’s happening around me in the spiritual realm.
During a trial, what you are doing is “trying the Word of God on for size.”
What are three questions found in the text that you should be aware of as you go through a trial?
1. Can I really handle God’s word?
2. Is it a good fit?
3. Will I fight the enemy for it and believe anyway?
Fill-In
Jude 1:3 says to “Contend for the faith.” To contend means to fight for it and actually allow it to come. We must fight the enemy and trust the Lord.
What is the key to getting through a trial?
Answer: The key to getting through a trial is to trust the one who sends you through it.
Purified as Silver
According to the story about the woman and the silver refiner, when does the silver refiner know that the process of purification is complete?
Answer: When he can see his own image in the reflection of the silver, then the refining process is finished.
According to Isaiah 48:10, how does the Lord refine the ones He has chosen?
Answer: He refines them in the furnace of affliction.
LESSON TWO: REVIEW AND APPLICATION
Chapters 3 and 4
What are two to three of the most important points from each chapter for you at this time in your life?
What are the specific steps that you will take to apply these to your life?
How will you be accountable for your goals?
Would anyone like to share your short prayer concerning this lesson and your commitment to applying the principles you have learned to your life?
(Take time for prayer in pairs or small groups.)
LESSON THREE: Chapters 5, 6 and 7
Chapter 5: Job the Worshiper
Theme Sentence: “Find a way to be a worshiper.”
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scriptures: How do the chapter Scriptures help you to find a way to be a worshiper?
Job 1:20-22
Judges 6:12
Judges 7: 15
1 Samuel 28:5-8
1 Chronicles 10:13-14
Psalms 46:10
While Job worshiped the Lord, he was able to continue to bless God even after losing his “stuff.” What happened to Job when he quit worshiping and began to complain about his circumstances?
Answer: He lost the revelation of who God is.
If you continue to worship God in the midst of your trial:
Answer: You have nothing to fear
Finding Purpose and Truth
What are the differences between Gideon and Saul as worshipers?
Gideon
Humbly said “I am the least”
Afraid yet obedient
Admitted fears to God
Worshiped God
Proclaimed God’s deliverance
Became a strong leader
Filled with passion
Saul
Hard time hearing truth
Didn’t want worship to cost
Fear ruled his life
Turned to a witch, not God, for advice
True Inquiry
What is the Hebrew meaning of the word inquire?
Answer: The Hebrew meaning of the word “Inquire” is: “to follow, to worship, diligently seek or search out, to make inquisition with severe examination.”
Why can it be said that Saul “worshiped the witch?"
Answer: Because it’s a form of worship when we go to someone to seek the truth from them.
Remember: "When our trials come, if we trust God, we can wait for His answer.”
In Sandi’s story about her response to her illness, at what point did everything disappear that was not of God?
Answer: When she lost herself in worship.
What is the best way to be a worshiper?
Answer: The best way is to be still.
Fill-in
Sometimes we get so busy chasing God around that we forget to slow down long enough to let Him catch us. He is in hot pursuit of us in this game of life that we play, so let Him win. Be still.
Chapter 6: Losing Greatness
Theme Sentence: “We need to walk in honesty and not deception.”
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scriptures: What do the Scriptures say about losing greatness?
Job 2:7-9
Job 1:21
Job 29
Psalms 51:11
Matthew 6:33
Matthew 7:23
Romans 12:2
2 Chronicles 16:9
Philippians 3:10
Why was Job able to say, “The Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord?” (Job 1:21)
Answer: This statement is birthed out of the revelation Job had as a worshiper.
Past Greatness
Fill-in:
If God’s candle is shining upon your head, your own spirit is revealing truth, even when you are not looking.
When you said “I do" to Jesus, what did you proclaim to Him?
Answer: You proclaimed that you would become one with Him.
What does God care most about?
Answer: The perfection of our hearts
Fill-In
The only thing we should refuse to lose is our walk with the Lord. This is not up for grabs, but everything else needs to be. We must be willing to lose our greatness to make room for His Greatness.
God’s Habitation
Why are so many “saved people" out there who talk the talk but just can’t live the life or walk the walk?
Answer: God will not take our will away. These people don’t want to forsake anything else to get close to the walk.
(Expanded Edition only) What is the world hoping to see when they look at Christians? That they will live what they believe.
(Expanded Edition only) What do our struggles stem from? Loving Jesus but not giving him complete access to our lives.
Paying the Price
What have you held onto in your soul all these years that you are now willing to risk for spiritual liberty?
Paul’s Transformation
Why was it impossible for the devil to get to Saul in the midst of his persecutions?
Answer: Because there was nothing to get. He had already given it all to the Lord and he had moved in phenomenal power and authority.
Chapter 7: When Fear Destroys Faith
Theme Sentence: “Our fear of losing something can’t be larger than
our trust of the Lord with it.”
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scripture: What do the Scriptures say about what happens when fear destroys faith?
Job 3:25
Psalm 42:7
Job 9:34-35
1 Samuel 17:24
Fill-in
To fear God is to understand who He is and to respect Him. If we fear anything or anyone else, it proves we do not trust God to be who He says He is.
If we declare that we want to walk with and to know God, what of ours is up for grabs?
Answer: Everything is up for grabs.
Why is this necessary?
Answer: The Lord will stop at nothing to answer our prayer for intimacy with Him. We have to trust Him to accomplish it in whatever way He sees fit.
Fear is the opposite of faith, and it wars against trust. What are four things fear provokes you to do? What is an illustration of each?
Example: Fear will provoke us to react on our own.
Illustration: Jonah
2. Fear will provoke us to become impatient
Illustration: Saul
3. Fear will provoke us to hide our faces from God.
Illustration: Moses
4. Fear will provoke us to be dishonest before God because honesty requires bravery.
Illustration: Giants in the desert
What are some other things fear does or causes you to do?
1. can cripple you
2. hard to get rid of
3. hold you captive
4. can crush you
What can trust do for you?
Answer: Trust will encourage you.
In Sandi’s story about her illness, what fear did she experience and overcome?
Answer: The fear of surgery.
Fill-In
Fear can frustrate and complicate our faith, preventing us from truly trusting God. We sometimes use the semblance of spiritual things to hide the truth so that we won’t have to face the fears that are hidden within our faith.
Trusting God
Job does much talking about God and at God. But little directly to Him at this point. Examine yourself. Have you been talking about God and at God? Or have you been talking to God about your situations?
After reviewing the story of the army of Israel and Goliath, what thoughts did you have about this statement? “We can’t let fears rewrite our testimonies.”
How did Sandi overcame her fear of spiders? What holds you hostage?
What are the specific things you can do to “embrace the price that leads to freedom” from this bondage?
LESSON THREE: REVIEW AND APPLICATION
Chapters 5, 6 and 7
What are two to three of the most important points from each chapter for you at this time in your life?
What are the specific steps that you will take to apply these to your life?
How will you be accountable for your goals?
Would anyone like to share your short prayer concerning this lesson and your commitment to applying the principles you have learned to your life?
(Take some time to pray together.)
LESSON FOUR: Chapters 8, 9 and 10
Chapter 8: When Grief is Greater Than Grace
Theme Sentence: “If our grief has become greater than God’s grace, maybe we don’t understand what grace is.”
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scripture: What do the Scriptures say about when grief is greater than grace in the life of the believer?
Job 2:12-13
Job 11:15, 19
Job 11:15
Job 5:26
Isaiah 26:3-4
Jeremiah 1:19
Romans 8:28
Isaiah 42:3
Isaiah 5:3-4
1 Peter 2:19
Job 5:26
“Job's friends recognized his fear.” What is some of the evidence that this was true?
Answer: In Job 11:15, 19, his friend, Zophar, made the following statement to encourage him: “You will lift up your face without spot, yea, thou shalt be steadfast and shalt not fear. You will lie down and none shall make thee afraid.” (Job 11:15) Job’s friends continued to try and salvage him by calling out his fear and speaking prophetically to him of great things ahead.
Perfect Peace
Fill-in
The Word says that Job’s “grief was very great.” If your grief is very great, maybe your mind has wandered into the quagmire of your situation and out of His promise. Maybe your trouble has consumed your trust. Where there is fear, there is no peace.
What are the characteristics of perfect peace described by Isaiah 26:3-4?
1. Perfect peace leaves no room for fear.
2. Perfect peace comes from fixing our minds on Him because we know His word and we know Him.
3. Perfect peace comes from finding a place deeper than we are.
4. Perfect peace comes from the Lord himself.
“Nothing of great value is regularly obtained without a degree of pain and sorrow.” How does God use “pain and sorrow” for the good in your life?
Answer: They are paving the way for our greatness in God, something that will last forever.
Instead of letting his personal pain stand in the way of his presentation of God’s message, what did Jeremiah say?
Answer: “But His word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was wary with forbearing, and I could not stay.”
Functioning in God’s Power
Sandi tells the story of Ellie, a woman whose son was murdered. How was she able to trust God in such a powerful way? Would you be ready to trust God to this depth?
Will God give you more than you can bear?
Define “grace”
Answer: Grace is our ability to walk in Christ with power and authority over all things, including our grief.
Chapter 9: Is Your Righteousness Bigger than God’s?
Theme Sentence: Ignoring God’s heart causes us to become worse than the enemy that we are so willing to curse.
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scripture: How do the Scriptures talk about the righteousness of people?
Job 32:1
2 Chronicles 29:1
2 Chronicles 32:27, 29
2 Chronicles 32:23-26
Isaiah 39:8
2 Peter 3:9
Job moved away from being a worshiper and became self-righteous. What are several consequences of having self-righteousness in the life of a believer?
1. Causes us to defend ourselves
2. We can’t see reasons we could be wrong.
3. Small fears cannot be detected and lay hidden.
4. We care more for protecting ourselves than wanting to be exposed.
5. A blanket of pretending covers us.
6. The truth won’t abide in us.
7. Christ’s power and authority won’t abide in us.
Temptations Abound
In the story of Hezekiah, at what point did Hezekiah get into trouble?
Answer: When he didn’t give God glory for his greatness.
Fill-In
The souls of those around Hezekiah were at stake and all he was concerned with was his own comfort and safety in his later years.
God’s Righteousness
"If we have our Father's heart, then we should be willing to pray as Jesus prays, and He is praying for our enemies.”
Are you willing right now to pray for your enemies as Jesus prays for them?
What lessons did Sandi learn about the heart of man in her vision? Answer: Visitors to God’s banquet hall have the small heart of man and not of God, etc.
What could the lesson from this vision say to the condition of your heart?
Chapter 10: Maintaining Your Ways
Theme Sentence: “There is no life in maintaining your own ways.”
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scripture: How do the Scriptures speak to maintaining your ways?
Job 13:15
1 Kings 19:14
Answer as honestly as possible:
Do you trust God to pull the fear out of you so that you can live in victory over the things that make you want to die? (ie: depression, fear, sorrow, etc.)
What did you discover about your attitude, lifestyle, and level of trust?
1. I’d rather die than be sanctified
2. I’d rather die than be purified
3. I’d rather die than have my ugliness burned out by the Lord,
who is a “consuming fire”.
4. I have faith and trust to believe Christ for a miracle
Job’s Stubbornness
Fill-In
When God tries to pull something rotten out of us, we often resist by bathing it with false humility and the words of righteousness.
What does the story of the wealthy woman who died alone and from malnutrition teach us about how a person invites trouble, heartache and death into their life by attempting to maintain their own ways instead of submitting to God’s ways?
Elijah’s Withdrawal
What led to Elijah's downfall?
1. He proclaimed he was going to maintain his ways.
2. He did not worship God but retreated back to the cave.
3. He didn’t allow the revelation of God to touch him.
As a result of his withdrawal, what did God do to the work that had been entrusted to Elijah?
Answer: God took the work away from Elijah. Elijah had to anoint Elisha as his successor. Elisha had twice the power or Elijah and ten years of training from Elijah.
Trusting God with Life
“What are the issues of the flesh that have grown stronger and louder than Christ in you?”
LESSON FOUR: REVIEW AND APPLICATION
Chapters 8, 9 and 10
What are two to three of the most important points from each chapter for you at this time in your life?
What are the specific steps that you will take to apply these to your life?
How will you be accountable for your goals?
Would anyone like to share your short prayer concerning this lesson and your commitment to applying the principles you have learned to your life?
(Take some time to pray together.)
LESSON FIVE: Chapters 11, 12 and 13
Chapter 11: Judging Ourselves
Theme Sentence: “If you have no confidence in the Lord then you’ll never be able to judge yourself and pray the Prayer of Job.”
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scripture: How do the Scriptures talk about judging ourselves?
Job 23:11-12
2 Chronicles 6:18
2 Corinthians 7:11
Peter 4:17
2 Chronicles 7:1-2
2 Chronicles 7:12-15
1 Samuel 1:10
Jonah 2:1
What two things must we do to desire the “words of the Lord more than food?”
1. Judge ourselves and invite God to do the same.
2. Trust God to be merciful and righteous.
Confidence
Fill-In
If I’m so busy trying to hide the truth then my life becomes a lie and the truth is not in me. I can only live in the truth if I can say, ”I know whom I have believed.” A lack of confidence in the Lord will cause you not to trust Him but to move in fear of what He might or might not do.
The lives of three Biblical characters showed the concept of right and wrong self-judgment. (Review the stories.) Which category best describes the actions of each character?
Humbly Believed God - Hannah
Mad at God - Jonah
Had confidence in God - Hannah, Solomon
Turned away from God - Jonah, Solomon
What steps do we need to take first before we can repent and humble ourselves before God?
1. Pray Job’s prayer
2. Judge Ourselves
Chapter 12: From Hearing to Seeing
Theme Sentence: “Clear vision requires honesty.”
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scripture: What do the Scriptures say about moving from hearing to seeing?
Job 42:5-6
Job 38-41
Luke 8:46
We can’t pray the Prayer of Job unless we abhor our own selfish motives and repent of them. TRUE
What must you do in the midst of trouble to move from hearing to seeing the Lord?
Answer: I must keep my heart and mind on where the Lord is taking me.
Read the Scriptures that show where God reminded Job that he is in charge of everything. What happened to Job after God spoke these words to him?
Answer: At this point, Job’s fear of life was torn out and laid to rest, and his trust in God emerged.
In the story of the woman with the issue of blood, Sandi provides a definition and explanation of both “to press” and “to touch.” What are those definitions? What are the differences between these two actions?
A. To press means: To press Him meant that they were trying to put their will upon Christ, approaching Him to insist on having their own ways.
Example: It went beyond insisting on their way, it moved into preventing and forbidding His.
B. To touch means: Webster’s definition of touch reads, “to handle or feel gently, usually with the intent to understand or appreciate.” Strong’s literal translation means “to attach yourself to and be set on fire.”
Example: To touch Christ, we need to be in agreement with Him, or the connection won’t work.
Chapter 13: Job’s Prayer
Theme Sentence: “Job trusted God enough to pray for his enemies.”
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scripture: Where is Job’s Prayer in these Scriptures?
Job 42:10
Job 42:8
Luke 18:22
Who spoke to Job’s friends before Job prayed for them?
Answer: God
Why was this (God speaking to the friends about Job’s impending prayer) a test for Job?
Answer: “When he prayed for his enemies, Job had to trust the Lord as never before. He had to quit fighting his trouble and find God in it.”
Why is it risky to pray for your enemies?”
Answer: “Because they will receive your blessings and your favor along with your forgiveness.”
What things did God do for Job after Job prayed for his enemies and judged himself in the process?
Answer: God released him from his captivity and opened his eyes to see Him more clearly. Job counted it a privilege to pray for his enemies.
Relationship or Fellowship
Fill-In
When we pray for our enemies, we have to know that the Lord is going to take care of us. So often, we want to be vindicated and don’t feel it’s right to let unjust behavior or accusations stand against us. This is when we find out what kind of communion we have with our God.
What are the differences between relationship and fellowship?
Relationship:
Rests in: Faith
The Prayer of Job: Cannot pray
Relationship with others: Doesn't mind taking and consuming
Fellowship:
Rests in: Trust
The Prayer of Job: Embraces it
Relationship with others: Gives to others, loves to give
If we honestly judge ourselves first, how will our judgment of others be changed?
Answer: Our judgment of others will turn into compassion for them.
Sandi tells why she needs to pray the Prayer of Job. (Review this section.) What areas speak to you most deeply? Why do you need to pray the Prayer of Job?
Abundance Results
Fill-in
Anyone who goes through the elements that lead up to praying the Prayer of Job will find themselves in a position to receive abundance. When we are operating out of this spirit that wants truth at all costs, the true spirit of abundance, then we are not afraid to pray abundance on others. We will search our own hearts for ways to give more causing us to lean on Christ for our strength.
Why did the rich young man never get around to pondering what he would gain by praying the Prayer of Job?
Answer: He was so worried about what he would lose.
Twice as Much
How did God bless Job after he prayed his special prayer? How does this speak to your heart as you anticipate praying the Prayer of Job?
LESSON FIVE: REVIEW AND APPLICATION
Chapters 11, 12 and 13
What are two to three of the most important points from each chapter for you at this time in your life?
What are the specific steps that you will take to apply these to your life?
How will you be accountable for your goals?
Would anyone like to share your short prayer concerning this lesson and your commitment to applying the principles you have learned to your life? (Take some time to pray together.)
LESSON SIX: Chapters 14 and 15
Chapter 14: Find A Mirror, Not A Telescope!
Theme Sentence: “Judging ourselves is the best gift, and we should learn to love it.”
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scriptures: Where do you find a mirror and not a telescope in these Scriptures?
Matthew 7:1-5
John 7:24
Daniel 9:18
James 4:12
What is the meaning of the word “judge” in Matthew 7:1-5?
Answer: “To decide or distinguish mentally or judicially, to call into question.”
According to this Scripture, how will we be judged by God?
Answer: This means that when I judge another, I am also setting forth the means by which I desire to (and shall be) judged by God.”
(Review the information on prophetic utterances from God.) What is keeping you from receiving the full blessing He has in store for you?
Answer: I am so busy judging others that I can’t catch those blessings no matter how abundant they may be.
Righteous Judgment
What is the difference between righteous judgment and fruit judgment?
Righteous Judgment: Righteous judgment is one of the occupations of the Holy Spirit. It is made by God alone and is a righteous determination of our heart’s intent.
Fruit Judgment: The human spirit performs fruit judgment, by observing and discerning our motives and outcomes.
Knowing God
What do you learn from Daniel about having confidence in God?
Answer: Confidence comes from knowing who God is - righteous and merciful. Confidence comes from being able to share opportunities with the Lord, living our faith, and developing trust in Him.
When you judge, what are you chasing in the other person?
Answer: I am chasing down their error and I will more than likely condemn them.
Instead of judging others, how could you be used by God to help others?
Answer: The Lord will show others what’s wrong with their darkness through my light if I would simply turn on that light and stop shouting at their darkness.
Fill-In
The light is in you. Just let it burn and shine. Live a life in God bright enough for others to see your light. Advertise your light; don’t judge their darkness. The righteousness of Christ will be revealed through living a Christ-like life, not through condemning those who don’t.
In the awesome vision of the heavenly courtroom described by Sandi, Jesus repeats the words, “Father, I died for them, I died for them” in His defense of us. What does this mean to you? How does it affect your heart?
Chapter 15: Did They Put You In Bondage When You Weren’t Looking?
Theme Sentence: "Reconciliation doesn’t take prisoners; it just gets the job done.”
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scriptures: What aspects of reconciliation did you find in these Scriptures?
Matthew 5:23-24
Job 42:8
What does it meant to “reconcile?”
Answer: “To reconcile is to change thoroughly.”
What is the only way to resolve a conflict you didn’t start?
Answer: “The only way to resolve a conflict I didn’t start is to lay the problem down and try to reconcile hearts, not issues.”
“How many times is God waiting for us to pray for someone and we just won’t do it?”
Reconciliation
(Review the story of Onesimus and Philemon.) What lesson of reconciliation does this story teach you?
In Sandi’s confrontation with the rude woman, what ministry was birthed in the woman as a result of their reconciliation?
Answer: The ministry of healing to many.
Fill-In
There are those people who refuse to be reconciled. They belong to God once we have sincerely made our efforts. But, we must sincerely make the effort first. Then leave it alone.
LESSON SIX: REVIEW AND APPLICATION
Chapters 14 and 15
What are two to three of the most important points from each chapter for you at this time in your life?
What are the specific steps that you will take to apply these to your life?
How will you be accountable for your goals?
Would anyone like to share their short prayer concerning this lesson and your commitment to applying the principles you have learned to your life? (Take some time to pray together.)
LESSON SEVEN: Chapters 16, 17 and 18
Chapter 16: Enemy Praying
Theme Sentence: "Prayer will either exhaust you or empower you, depending on whose strength you are using when you do it --- yours or the Holy Spirit’s."
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scriptures: How do these Scriptures address the issue of enemy praying?
Matthew 5:43-48
Matthew 5:44
Fill-In
Scripture says that if we pray for our enemies we can be called “children of God.” Therefore, it is reasonable to say that if we don’t pray for our enemies and attempt to bless them, we cannot be true children of God.
Enemy List:
(Hopefully your group members have worked through this list on their own. If they have, allow them to share what happened to them through this experience. If they have not, allow time for them to work individually through these steps.)
It is time to name those you will be praying for when you pray the Prayer of Job. Use the following guides to name these people:
1. People who became my enemy because I wasn’t ready to change my heart about a situation.
2. People I have wrongfully accused before God of being an enemy because I wouldn’t judge myself.
3. People who truly are my enemies; they have wronged me, persecuted me, etc.
4. Any others I need to name at this time.
Let's make sure we understand how to do the three things necessary for enemy praying.
1. Pray for Them
How do you define the word “pray” as used in Matthew 5:44?
Answer: The word “pray” as used here, means to earnestly supplicate (humbly seek God) with strength, seeking direction.
What are several reasons why God brings difficult people (such as the ones you have listed) across your path?
1. So I will pray for them
2. To trust me with a hard task and heavy responsibility
3. There may be no other way to reach them.
2. Worship God
Give the translation for worship as is relates to Matthew 5:44. (p. 91)
Answer: “To worship God because of them and to pray your own blessings upon them”
What happens when:
a. You praise God? He comes to where I am.
b. You worship God? I go to where He is.
In what manner should you pray for your enemies?
Answer: Pray until I can speak blessings on them --- not generic, hypocritical blessings, but instead, pray the kind that come from the heart, that I am not in control of, but the Holy Spirit is. Pray as if someone I love will be destroyed if I don’t. Pray the prayer that causes me to worship the Lord in spirit and in truth.
3. Bless Them
What is the additional translation of “bless” as provided in this section?
Answer: “Bless” here means “to praise and speak prosperity into. Religiously speak blessings into someone. Thinking and speaking well of.”
Fill-In
We may curse the plans our enemies have for us and not bless them, if they are evil. We can take away the power their words have over us if they are negative but as for the person, we must leave them to God. They’re His trouble not ours.
Chapter 17: Your Captivity Will Turn
Theme Sentence: "It’s God’s will and desire for you to live full of days!"
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scriptures: How do these Scriptures speak to "turning of captivity?"
Job 42:12,16-17
Jeremiah 29:11-14
3 John 2-3
"Your life should move from glory to glory and get better and better."
1. Is there a bondage in your heart?
2. Have you found it?
3. Can you pray the Prayer of Job yet?
4. Have “they” (your enemies) earned or deserved your prayers yet?
Power of the Promises
Sandi tells the story about the challenge in her life that led to the revelation of this book. Which of the following statements are true for you?
I understand that God loves my adversaries, the ones who are persecuting and despitefully using me.
I feel the Lord’s pain and feel provoked to pray for my enemies.
I realize that praying for my enemies is risky business; they will receive my blessings, favor, and forgiveness.
I am willing to judge myself as wrong and to pray life into my enemies.
I understand that it is better to inquire of God about His timing and avoid confusion and disappointment later.
I am fully ready and able to pray the Prayer of Job for my enemies.
Chapter 18: New Destinations
Theme Sentence: "May we live in resurrection and not in the tomb."
How does the theme statement apply to your life?
Chapter Scripture: How do these Scriptures speak about new destinations?
Job 4:4
Colossians 3:23-24
When did the Pharisees attempt to kill Lazarus?
Answer: After he was resurrected
Which of these do you know to be true?
It has never been a matter of if He would bless me. It’s a matter of will I let Him bless me.
I can trust Him to accomplish all He has said he will.
He will be faithful to me.
He will honor me.
He loves me.
What two “hearts” does fellowship cry for?
1. The heart of God
2. The heart of its enemies
Fill-In:
He (Job) prayed because God’s desire had finally become greater than his own. That desire was no longer vague nor did it stem from tradition. It was as clear as crystal. He was willing above all else, to follow God’s whisper, “Pray for them! Pray for them that they might be free and blessed, forgiven and whole.”
Sandi says she often imagines that the person she is dealing with in a situation is actually Jesus. How would thinking of the person you are dealing with as Jesus change your perspective?
Praying the Prayer of Job
(Members of your group may have already done this individually. Allow them to tell about their experience. If they have not already done it, work through the steps together.)
Prepare your heart to pray the Prayer of Job. Write the prayer as you find it except for the last sentence. At the last sentence insert the name of a person from your enemy list and pray for that person in a person special way. For example:
“Lord, as for (insert name), who has come against me, I ask you to turn your anger from (her/him), forgive (her/him), and bless (her/him) abundantly.”
Take the time to write this final sentence for each person on your list. When you have finished, lift your heart up in thanksgiving, praise and worship to your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Write the last sentence in a personalized way for every person on your list:
“May you have great success in all that He set your hands to do!”
LESSON SEVEN: REVIEW AND APPLICATION
Chapters 16,17 and 18
What are two to three of the most important points from each chapter for you at this time in your life?
What are the specific steps that you will take to apply these to your life?
How will you be accountable for your goals?
Would anyone like to share your short prayer concerning this lesson and your commitment to applying the principles you have learned to your life? (Take time to pray together.)
Copyright © 2001-2002 Abba's Heart Ministries All Right Reserved
|
