"The book of Job cuts straight to the heart of what it means to be human. It is the most profound exploration of the life of faith ever written, and wrestles with some of life's most perplexing questions. Why do bad things happen to good people? Is there a correspondence between sin and suffering, obedience and blessing? Why should we serve God if there are no guarantees?
Book of Job provides lessons for people suffering a crisis of faith after last month's Indian Ocean tsunami. There was never a time when the book of Job was not relevant, but it is especially relevant in today. This not because the book of Job has changed, but because we have. We may be more ready to listen now... less certain of our own answers. So, when Job asks, "Why?" - we, too, strain to hear the answers. And if answers are not forthcoming, then we like Job, at least need to know how to live without them. "
Carol M.Bechtel, author of Hallelujah: The Bible and Handel's Messiah and Sowing Tears, Reaping Joy: The Bible and Brahm's Requiem, contends that the real theme of Job has to do with the limits of human wisdom. God does not answer Job's questions about suffering, but reminds Job that he's out of his league. We do not have all of the answers; God does. Faith, as Job understands it, is an exercise in radical trust.
The Leader's Guide, also available in hard copy, includes an innovative CDROM with the complete text to help Leaders prepare for their session. This CDROM features video introductions to each session by the author Carol Bechtel as well as video resources to use with your study group. So much of this information in this study is personal story which translates with great power when used with this new video format.
"The Book of Job is an extremely powerful study in uncertain times."