Introduction to the Study

Excerpted from "An Introduction to This Study Guide" in Nancy Guthrie's book Holding On To Hope...

“…Studying Job is a thrilling but daunting undertaking. Job’s story addresses some of the most profound questions of human experience and an all-powerful God. Perhaps the most important lesson of the book of Job is that there are no simplistic answers to these questions – that God, while knowable, is also mysterious.

“Like the book of Job itself, this study does not nail down all of the answers to the questions that Job’s story raises. But it will help you and those you study with to dig deeply into Scripture to discover more about who God is and how He works in the universe and in us. While He remains a God whose ways are often unexplainable, He has chosen to make Himself knowable. That is why He has revealed Himself to us through the person and work of Jesus and through the pages of Scripture. He “rewards those who sincerely seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6) like Job did – and the reward is Himself.

“…this guide provides… daily questions that will encourage your own pursuit and understanding of God through the study of His Word. You will study the entire book of Job as well as many other Scripture passages about issues that Job’s story raises. And you will be encouraged to apply what you learn to your life so that God might use it to make you more like His Son. And that’s a good thing, isn’t it? A commitment to the study will help you solidify the life-transforming habit of daily Bible study, as well as build your anticipation for all that God wants to say to you and show you through your reading of the Bible beyond [this study].

“But don’t become discouraged if you fall behind or are unable to get to the study every day. Just work through the questions as you can, so you will be able to listen to all that God wants to say to you.

“For group study, this guide provides questions for a weekly discussion of Job and its themes, as well as daily study assignments that will prepare group members for a meaningful discussion the next week. It also suggests chapters of Holding On To Hope that correspond to the passages of Job being studied that week.

“Some days call for reading or skimming large portions of Job. If this is difficult for you, you may choose to read only the portions required for answering the questions. In skimming, you might also rely on the paragraph and section headings to get a feel for the flow and emphasis of the chapter. If your week does not allow you to answer the questions each day, focus on the “Preparing for Discussions” questions at the end of each week so the group discussion will be more meaningful for you.

“I also encourage you to become as comfortable as possible with not having to nail down every issue with a black-and-white answer. In truth, there is much we cannot understand about God and much we cannot control in this world. What we can control is how we respond to the circumstances God allows into our lives and how we choose to pursue God in the midst of our questions. …keep pursuing God with [your] questions while committing to love, serve, and trust Him even if [your] questions are never answered to [your] satisfaction.

“My prayer in preparing this study has been that God will honor your desire for Him, and that this study will not be merely an intellectual pursuit but one that transforms your heart and mind. If you are suffering or are touched deeply by the pain of this world, this study will have special meaning for you. I have tried to include many of the most difficult questions that have pressed in on me in dark places. May God honor the effort you put into this study so that He might fill the dark places in your life with the light of His very presence."

Nancy Guthrie