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TEXT: Job 1:1-22
OBJECTIVE
The students will be able to explain that with God’s help they can have a defense against Satan, and by resisting his attempts to overthrow them, they will obtain the victory.
REFERENCE INFORMATION
Job was a wealthy and influential man, in terms of flocks and herds rather than cash. He was a man of blameless character, a man who was really good.
The period in which Job lived is not agreed upon by Bible scholars. He undoubtedly lived before the Law was given to Moses as there is no reference to Mosaic Law in the Book of Job. An indication that he lived in the time of the patriarchs is his age. Job 42:16 says he lived 140 years after this calamity befell him. It is unknown when the story of Job was made a part of Scripture, but he is mentioned by Ezekiel and also in the Book of James in the New Testament.
Job’s residence was in the land of Uz, thus marking him as belonging to a branch of the Aramean race. These people had settled in the lower part of Mesopotamia adjacent to the Sabeans and Chaldeans. The particular section, which tradition has called the home of Job, was Hauran, a region east of the Sea of Galilee, noted for its fertility of soil and its grain. It was once thickly populated, and is now dotted with the ruins of three hundred cities.
QUESTIONS
The relationships we have studied so far this quarter have been positive. However, there is one unpleasant situation that every Christian is faced with from the moment of conversion. The power of the devil is real, but God sets the limit as to how far he can go. Man is made a free moral agent and it is within his power to choose to withstand the fierce powers of darkness or to let them overcome him. When God provides the armor to withstand the devil, He gives man the means of victory.
- The Bible uses different names for Satan. Write the names beside the particular verses below.
Matthew 4:3
Matthew 13:19
John 14:30
2 Corinthians 4:4
Ephesians 2:2
Revelation 12:10
Revelation 20:2
What are we to deduce from these names?
Response: Matthew 4:3 — Tempter
Matthew 13:19 — The wicked one
John 14:30 — The prince of this world
2 Corinthians 4:4 — The god of this world
Ephesians 2:2 — The prince of the power of the air
Revelation 12:10 — Accuser of the brethren
Revelation 20:2 — Devil, serpent, dragon
To combat Satan we must know who he is and what he stands for. By knowing and defining his names, we become more familiar with his tactics. Ask students to discuss the meanings of Satan’s names. Students should understand that our relationship to the devil is that he is our adversary.
- When the Lord asked Satan, “Whence comest thou?” Satan answered that he had been going to and fro in the earth and walking up and down in it. What verse in our lesson lets us know that he is doing the same today, and more?
Response: See key verse. Ask your students to describe a lion stalking its prey. A lion will use extreme stealth in stalking his prey, but when in position to strike he utters a tremendous roar in order to paralyze his victim with terror. Liken this to the tactics of the devil.
- What type of man, spiritually speaking, was Job? What four tragedies befell him, as recorded in the first chapter?
Response: Job was a perfect man, and upright—one who feared God and shunned evil. The four tragedies that befell Job were: The Sabeans stole all his oxen and asses, killing all the servants except the one who escaped to tell. His sheep were all destroyed by a fire from the heavens along with the servants. The camels were carried away by the Chaldeans who also slew the caretakers. His seven sons and three daughters were killed when a great wind destroyed the house where they were. The point for discussion is that God allows trials to come into the lives of all His children. The devil expected to overthrow Job with this trial, but God’s appraisal was that Job would stand. Job did not know the reason for the trial, but he went to God for refuge. This is the safe course for each Christian to follow.
- Upon hearing the news of these calamities, what did Job do immediately?
Response: He rent his mantle, shaved his head, fell on the ground, and worshiped! Discuss the importance of fleeing to God for grace to help in a time of spiritual battle. Point out that God is pleased when we run to Him for the little things rather than just waiting for the big battles. Our own strength is no defense against Satan.
- Why do you think God allowed Satan to attack Job?
Response: Many answers may be given. Summarize them by showing how God was allowing Job’s integrity to be tested. Point out that until a Christian is tested, he will not discover how to defend himself against Satan. Look to Job 1:22 to note Job’s example. Discuss just what this verse means and how it can apply to us when we face trials.
- What heavenly assistance did Jesus have when combating the devil in the wilderness? (Matthew 3:16; 4:1,11) What defense did Jesus use? What is the Christian’s defense against the devil today?
Response: The Holy Spirit guided, and angels ministered to Him. Jesus used the Word of God to combat the enemy. This is the same sort of defense that the Christian needs today—the Holy Spirit’s guidance and the Word of God as protection. Discuss with the students the importance of knowing the Word of God, whether by memorization, meditation, careful study and reading of the Word, etc. The class may want to discuss the role of angels in the lives of Christians. There are several interesting statements in the Bible concerning the help of angels. See Psalm 91:11; Acts 12:7-10; Hebrews 1:13-14; 13:2.
- Define resist. Refer to James 4:7 and 1 Peter 5:9.
Response: It means (1) to withstand the force of opposition, and (2) to exert force to counteract or defeat the opposition. Point out that the meaning is twofold, including both defense and offense. It has been said that the best defense is a good offense.
- List the six separate parts of the spiritual armor which make up the whole armor of God as found in Ephesians 6:14-17.
Response: Truth, righteousness, Gospel of peace, faith, salvation, Word of God. With the whole armor of God, the Christian can stand against the wiles of the devil and resist his attempts to overthrow. Let the students help define each weapon mentioned.
- According to Revelation 12:10-11, how does a Christian overcome Satan?
Response: “By the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony.” Discuss with your students that we can call upon the merits and power in the Blood of Jesus when we are spiritually challenged by the enemy of our souls.
- Describe a spiritual battle that you have fought and won. What was the key to obtaining the victory?
Response: Let students contribute their experiences. Point out that no temptation has taken us but such as is common to man. A list could be made of keys to obtaining victory.
CLASS ACTIVITIES
Using magnets with like polarity, show how they push away from each other. Use two bar magnets. On one magnet, label one end “Christian” and the other end “sinner.” On the other magnet, label one end “Christ” and the other end “Satan.” Make sure Christian and Satan are like polarity. The Christian will then resist Satan and accept Christ. Also, show how the sinner resists Christ and accepts Satan.
On a large piece of cardboard draw an imaginary “pathway of life.” Along the way, mark pitfalls, snares, traps, byways, etc. Have one student (or take turns if there’s time) represent a traveler. Since it might be impossible to darken the classroom area, blindfold the traveler and ask him to move a marker along the pathway, giving him only a limited time. He might miss the first trap or pit but he won’t make it far. (This could be done on a blackboard.)
Fill a clear bowl or jar with water and drops of cooking oil, or some other substance that doesn’t mix with water. Explain that although we are in the world we don’t have to mix in and become part of it.
Interview “Job.” Prepare a list of questions that a reporter might ask Job. Have one of your students play the part of Job (he would receive the questions before class), or let one of your students be the interviewer while you play the part of Job.
Make up a list of agree/disagree statements and pass them out to your class. Have your students mark whether they agree or disagree with these statements. Discuss why they might agree or disagree. Sample statements: Satan can make a person sin. A perfect Christian will not have temptations. God wants us to be tested and tried. (The questions should not have obvious answers. The purpose is to generate discussion, not to say what answer is right.)
Have two balloons, one bigger and prettier than the other. Hide the big one, give the other to “Job.” Let him talk about how good and caring God is. Have another person pretend to be the devil and pop the small balloon. Talk about how bad the devil is, but how all things work together for good to them that love the Lord. Then give the hidden balloon to Job, explaining how good can come from the evil that is meant toward us.
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