Sandra is one of our Adult Mentors that works with girls in grades 6-8. She is passionate to see them grow in their worship and knowledge of Christ.
The Book Of Job
Week 2: Why Am I Suffering?
BEGIN this week by reading Job chapters 7-13.
Don’t worry, they aren’t super long!
WATCH this video to gain a greater understanding of the structure of the Book of Job
REFLECT & PRAY
Have you ever gone through something tough and felt like no one understood what you were going through? Worse yet, your “friends” try to help by offering answers that just make you feel worse.
Though our situations may be different, I think everyone has felt this at one time in their life and this was exactly what Job went through.
But as much as we might see ourselves as Job, I think we are meant to see ourselves more as his friends. Eliphaz pointed out that those who are truly godly and holy will never suffer at the hand of God, but Job was living proof that even the righteous may suffer temporarily. Bildad believed that Job had forgotten God, become apathetic in his faith, but that Job could remember God again and be restored back into right relationship with God. However, the irony was that Job was already in right relationship with God. Zophar suggested that Job had received less wrath from God than he actually deserved; it is as if God had forgotten some of his sins. The problem here was that he used God’s voice to bolster his personal opinions. To do so is to offend the God and to say something He never actually said.
What Zophar, Eliphaz, and Bildad were unaware of was how God really viewed Job. They were operating off of their own assumptions from what they were seeing and hearing from Job because they did not see or hear anything from God.
When we are going through something hard, we need to be careful about who we allow to speak into our life. Are they friends and people who are listening to God’s voice or are they simply working on their own ideas and assumptions?
And when our friends are going through really tough times, we also need to be careful about what we say. Are we allowing God’s wisdom and voice to speak through us, or are we using God’s voice to try and prove our assumptions?
How often do we assume what is in the heart of a person?
Because of our assumptions, how often do we give inaccurate advice?
What do you think Job actually needed from his friends? Advice or presence?
Why do you think we are always quick to offer advice and help, but slow to encourage and be present?
How do you feel this story relates to you and your life right now?
We would love to pray with you this week! Email Pastor Andrew.
If you would like to dig deeper, ask us for our 40 day devotional on Job!
The Book Of Job
Week 1: The Sovereignty of God
BEGIN this week by reading Job chapters 1-3.
WATCH this video once you’ve read Job 1-3 to help give you some context
REFLECT & PRAY
Has there ever been a moment in your life when you wished you were never born?
We cannot let one moment in history define our reason for living. Our purpose is discovered throughout the course of our lives. But there are many moments in our life where we, like Job, move from faith and optimism to fear and pessimism. Job makes a bold statement of faith and hope, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” in Job 1:21. Then argues, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” in Job 2:7. But like Job, we can only manage so much before we become completely overwhelmed. And so by the time we get to chapter 3, we find Job wishing he was never even a thought.
In the fragile moments of life, we begin to doubt our belief in God. We lose perspective of where He is in our life. We wonder why things are happening. Sadly, things do not immediately get better for Job because there is no quick answer to the question of suffering. We must press on one day at a time, believing God has our back and will help us persevere. We don’t know when and we don’t know how, but God will reward the one who suffers. If not on this side of eternity, the next as Revelation 22 tells us.
What questions do you have when it comes to suffering in our world?
Why do you think God allows Satan to test Job?
What does it show you about God when he puts limits Satan with Job’s suffering?
How do you feel this story relates to you and your life right now?
We would love to pray with you this week! Email Pastor Andrew.
If you would like to dig deeper, ask us for our 40 day devotional on Job!
Summer Is Here!
Just because we can’t high-five doesn’t mean we can’t have fun!
Summer Schedule for students entering grades 6-12
Tuesday Zoom Groups 7-8pm
Friday Zoom Meet-ups 7-9pm
Email Pastor Andrew for Zoom Meeting Links & Details
Summer 2020
Tuesday Zoom Groups
Begin NEXT Tuesday July 7 at 7pm
Not sure who your small group leader is or who is in your group? CLICK HERE
Grad Gifts
Grade 12 Grad Gifts have been delivered. If you did not receive yours, please let us know!
Grade 8 Grad Gifts:
Pick your gift up at WPA on Saturday July 4 or Sunday July 5 from 12-2pm. Any gifts not picked up will be delivered the following week.
Friday Zoom Meet Ups
Begins THIS Friday at 7pm. Email P. Andrew for Zoom ID & Password!
NEW NIGHTLY FORMAT! Hosted by P. Andrew, created and led by students. Come check out how we’re changing things for the summer!
Join us for the first 45 minutes for a full group game & bible conversation. Stay on to connect and have some fun until 9pm.
Amelie, Claire, Steph are Still Alive!
Its our FINAL video this week and man did we have fun! Check it out!
Breana & Launa are Still Alive!
Luke & Joel are Still Alive!
Priscilla & Daniella are Still Alive
Its June! My Goodness!
Hey there! Its Pastor Andrew. If I was asked in January how I planned to spend the first six months of my year, I would not have guessed it would look like how it has played out! I’m sure I’m not alone.
I wanted to simply encourage you, whether you’re a parent or a student reading this, that God is still with you and wants to continue to meet with you. In fact, we have been hearing many testimonies from students and families of how God has been doing a renewal in their lives during this time. Perhaps, the renewal so many of us have been praying into to see is actually happening. Just happening in a way no one could have ever imagined or predicted – sounds like God’s work to me!
Whether you are having a great week, an okay week, or a week that is making you question your sanity out loud to yourself multiple times in a day, know that I am cheering you on and praying Paul’s words in Ephesians 3:16-21.
I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
I am here to pray with you, listen to you, and offer whatever help I can. So if you’re having a less than sublime week, please do not hesitate to reach out.
– P. A