Prepared by William Earnhardt for Sabbath School Class, July 23, 2022.

Main Theme: God uses trials to perfect our character.

Read in Class: Job 23:1-10. Define the main idea of this passage.

Study: What is the essence of Job’s struggle? What doesn’t he see? Why does he take on faith despite his trials?

Apply: In your own experience, how do trials refine and purify? What other ways could you be refined, other than through suffering?

Share: A friend says God was just using Job as a “guinea pig.” Which was very mean of God. What do you tell your friend? For some ideas on how to respond read, “Was Job Just a Guinea Pig?”

Read in Class: Matthew 25:31-46. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: What criteria is used for separating the sheep and the goats?

Apply:  What kind of person are you in stress, or when no-one’s looking? What does the answer tell you about the change you need to make? 

Share: Your friend says that we only love God as much as the person on earth whom we love the least. Do you agree with your friend? Why or why not?

Read in Class: Daniel 12:1-10. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study:  What can we tell in these verses about the character of God’s people during these times?

Apply: What do the wise understand that the wicked don’t? What kind of wisdom is implied here?

Share: Your friend says she is confused about the state of the dead. How could you use Daniel 12?

Read in Class: Ephesians 4:11-16. Discuss the main idea of this passage.

Study: What point is Paul making here? What role does he give for community?

Apply: What is the difference in a community revealing the fullness of Christ, and an individual revealing the fullness of Christ? See Ephesians 3:10.

Share: Share a brief testimony about someone who showed you Christ’s loving character when while they were in a crucible of sorts.