Job: Trusting God When Suffering Comes (Flourish Bible Study)

Lynn Brownback’s study workbooks are excellent for a personal study or to do as a group study. It requires looking up a lot of scripture and writing down the answers. The Job and Judges studies were spiritually challenging and I learned a lot. I am a small group study facilitator.

This study is great for: …everyone! ;)But especially if you:*are ‘lonely’, feeling betrayed, had a loss or tragedy*are ‘a leader’ looking for a bible study saturated in the Word (not a ladies pj party-though I’m not knocking those!).*are ‘busy’ or if you have a hard time concentrating.*are ‘new’ to bible study.*have a ‘Titus 2 relationship’ you’re looking to invest more into.I put the words inside apostrophes so I could do this:‘Lonely’: you don’t need a group to do this study and I can attest to it feeling like you have a friend in the author. She leads you through, she encourages you onward and she asks incredible questions that get you meditating on the scriptures you’re consuming.‘A Leader’: This is a wonderful study for you because at the back there are five sheets-ten blank pages: your students can use for prayer requests and notes the entire time! Plus Lydia Brownback provides a link to leader helps (it should be live soon, I checked and it’s not up yet 04/15/23).‘Busy’: It is engaging enough and memorable enough that if you only have time for a few scriptures and a couple of questions, you will be nourished. (:‘New’: If you’re reading your bible through for the first time the book of Job can be very sad and often quite discouraging. Lydia helps that so much by giving references throughout God’s word that aid in a better understanding of the overall lessons. She does not just make up what ‘she thinks’ she leads you through scripture (because what matters is what God wanted us to learn).‘Titus 2 relationship’: This will knit you together with great conversation starters, that aid in going deeper into God’s word and that help a person see how it’s still totally relatable and applicable today (like all of God’s word).You can pick this up and set it down and do it at your own pace since each section is so meaningful and well laid out. The quotes are incredible! I kept going to the back of the book to see where I could read more of whom she quoted!!Here are two of my favorites: “Desperation is the denial of hope. Hope looks forward; desperation can only relive the past and seek to rewrite it, or even erase it.”“In presenting us with so many speakers who misunderstand their own situation and what God is doing, the book of Job is nudging us to reflect on the limits of our knowledge and on our ability to damage others by assuming that we understand their situations.”So thought provoking!! I appreciate how scripture saturated it is, have I said that yet?! There are less devotional-style personal stories than your average women’s bible study (aside from the best).This is a quality bible study. It is so good I refused to let myself review it until I’d consumed a large portion. I’ve read several of Lydia Brownback’s works because she is so biblically literate she keeps me on my feet and sparks up the fire in my heart for our Lord effortlessly. Side note: Her study of the Psalms is also excellent if you’re going through a dark valley and need the feeling of a close sister but don’t have one or just are not ready to trust one just now because life is so raw.My first thoughts after the opening pages: the endorsements are so glowing and by such respected individuals…I am practically giddy with excitement to start (Job?! what a blessing!!). I hope I get to be in the room with Lydia as she’s teaching one day because I would enjoy asking her questions and rejoicing in our Lord together up close (otherwise: see you In Heaven one fine day sweet sister (!!) thank you for all your efforts in studies!).Thank you Crossway books for being a publisher that I’ve not once regretted investing my time in.

The Job: Trusting God When Suffering Comes (Flourish Bible Study) is an easy guide with practical applications to further study this section of the Word of God.This study is meant to last for 10 weeks. It is presented in a way that you can do it alone or in a group setting. Note there is a free leaders guide you can download.Within you'll find timelines, charts, the who's who, settings, themes, and more. There's a chart that lists your primary reading as well as supplemental reading. You'll want to have your Bible on hand as the full scripture is not listed fully in the study like some out there.There are many questions to contemplate and record answers and thoughts to. Spaces are provided for your reply, though you may want a separate notebook if you have a lot to express.It is deep and hard book with a lot going on but I like this study doesn't feel rushed at all or has a tremendous amount of reading.This is a study of a book that can difficult and complicated to comprehend that I recommend one to try.

Love.it so far

When I saw the title of this devotional, I knew this book had the potential to impact my life. As we move through this life, suffering has come and it will come again, no matter what we do. I have done previous Flourish Bible Studies and enjoyed and learned from them. I'm happy to say this Bible study is no different. The content of Job can be difficult to work through and understand. The author does a lovely job guiding and leading through the text while also providing probing questions and room to dwell. There are ample places in the book to write and to provide moments of introspection. The tone of the author is conversational and she provides good life examples and metaphors throughout the book to help bring understanding to the text of Job. This devotional is a wonderful and life changing tool when used thoughtfully and thoroughly.

I have done various different Bible Studies on various different books. This is the first study that I have done on Job. I like the way that this study is designed. There are a few resources at the front (such as a timeline and introduction with how to use the book and a reading plan). I think that the introduction contains important information to truly understand the book. I also really like the pronunciation guide. There are a lot of names in the Bible that are not pronounced phonetically. It is pronounced JOBE if you are not familiar with the Bible.This study could easily be done on your own or with a group. I did it individually. There are a lot of written responses and at times I wish I had someone to discuss them with. The study is well chunked into smaller portions that make it easy to complete before a weekly group. For example, on week one, you read Job 1:1-2:13. There are then 10 total pages in the study guide. There is a short reading at the beginning. This is followed by several pages of questions. You will sometimes need to flip to a different book in the Bible for relevant scripture.I like how the study guide allows me to delve in for a deeper understanding of a book that I have read many times. It points out many great things and connections that I would not have made otherwise. I think it is a well designed study guide. I would order the same version for other books. I would recommend it.

I really wanted to like this book but after working through 6 chapters, I have to admit that I don’t.I find many of the questions confusing (it often feels like the question must be referring to a different passage!). Other questions hint at an interesting argument/connection, but then the author changes topics suddenly and the idea is never fleshed out.Overall I find it really unsatisfying.