Adult Bible Studies with a Difference


Job and the Life of Faith:  Wisdom for Today's World

Carol M. Bechtel

Job RB

Resource Book:  $18.00

Job LG

Leader’s Guide CD:  $18.00

New for Kerygma! 
CD-ROM Leader's Guide features video introductions to each session by the author as well as video resources to use with your study group!

 Order Here

 

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?

There was never a time when the book of Job was not relevant, but it is especially so today.  This is 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, will need to learn 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.  7 Sessions:

  • Introducing Job: the Book and the Man

  • An Ancient Story

  • The Impatience of Job

  • When Familiar Answers Fail

  • Closing Arguments

  • The Voice from the Whirlwind

  • Life Within Limits

The Leader's Guide CD-Rom includes:

  • PDF session materials allowing leaders to customize lesson plans

  • Video portions for leaders and in-class use

  • Meet the author, Carol M. Bechtel, segment