Study 8 - God's love in the Mess
Pray: ask God to speak
Read Passage: Deuteronomy 29-30
Re-tell the first passage in your own words
General Questions:
What do you like about the text?
What do you find challenging about the text?
What does it reveal about God?
What does it say to us?
Specific Questions:
1. What have you tried at different times to make your kids obey you?
2. What is the difference between love and obedience - does one lead to the other? What are some things you have tried (maybe in your relationships) in order to get someone to love you? What worked? What didn't? Maybe ask if any one experienced an epic fail in that area? ie you tried something and it didn't go well?
3. What were some of the things God did for his people because he loved them? What has he done for you to shows love to you?
4. In what ways have you seen/ experienced God's provision for you?
5. How have you personally experienced his presence? If someone asked you how you know God is present with you what would you say?
6. God loved first and just asks for love in return - how do you demonstrate that you love him? How could you demonstrate that you love him? What action point will you implement as a result of what you have just said?
7. Read Deuteronomy 30:19-20. What does 'choose life' mean to you? How do you choose life each and every day as you walk with Jesus? The writer notes that choosing life has implications? How do you hold fast to him?
8. Read Hebrews 4:7 As you go about your week how do you 'hear' to his voice? How do you act on what you hear?
Read Passage: Deuteronomy 29-30
Re-tell the first passage in your own words
General Questions:
What do you like about the text?
What do you find challenging about the text?
What does it reveal about God?
What does it say to us?
Specific Questions:
1. What have you tried at different times to make your kids obey you?
2. What is the difference between love and obedience - does one lead to the other? What are some things you have tried (maybe in your relationships) in order to get someone to love you? What worked? What didn't? Maybe ask if any one experienced an epic fail in that area? ie you tried something and it didn't go well?
3. What were some of the things God did for his people because he loved them? What has he done for you to shows love to you?
4. In what ways have you seen/ experienced God's provision for you?
5. How have you personally experienced his presence? If someone asked you how you know God is present with you what would you say?
6. God loved first and just asks for love in return - how do you demonstrate that you love him? How could you demonstrate that you love him? What action point will you implement as a result of what you have just said?
7. Read Deuteronomy 30:19-20. What does 'choose life' mean to you? How do you choose life each and every day as you walk with Jesus? The writer notes that choosing life has implications? How do you hold fast to him?
8. Read Hebrews 4:7 As you go about your week how do you 'hear' to his voice? How do you act on what you hear?
Study 7 - Complacency in the Mess
Pray: ask God to speak
Read Passage Aloud: Numbers 20:1-23
Re-tell the first passage in your own words
General Questions:
What do you like about the text?
What do you find challenging about the text?
What does it reveal about God?
What does it say to us?
Specific Questions:
1. Yvonne mentioned that when she talks to her kids she looks to see if they act immediately, fully and nicely. While you may have your own equivalent when talking with your children and or grandchildren we need to ask do we do the same with God? When he speaks do you respond immediately, fully and nicely? Or do we respond in a different way? What are the different ways people respond to God. In the passage how did Moses respond?
2. In the passage where does it say take the staff and strike the rock? Why do you think it was that Moses struck the rock rather than speaking to the rock? What do you think was in Moses mind when he struck the rock?
3. If someone said to you remember what God has done for you what are the things you would remember?
4. Yvonne mentioned that strings can be used to help people remember things. When our minds are sieves what helps you remember - Are you a list person? Does it help you to write things down? What could you do to help you remember what God has done for you? Does sharing the stories of what God has done for you help you remember?
5. Sometimes it's easy to remember particularly when times are good or we are at ease. But what about when times are tough or when your faith is challenged what do you remember that God has done for you in the past? Talk about a time when times were tough for you - where does your mind go. If someone asked you what has God done for you, what would you say?
6. When you participate in communion what things come to mind when we say remember all that Christ has done for us? Is it just salvation - the fact Jesus saves us from eternal death and sin? Is there more that comes to mind? What are those things?
7. Read Deuteronomy 6:7-9. Sometimes it helps people to think about what they are grateful for and talk about that rather than just thinking about all the tough things and what we need to pray about. Ask your group to think about three things they are grateful for this week? Share these things with the group - no matter how trivial or petty they may seem - start with them and see if things go deeper.
N.B. We have a Baptism coming up on August 25th it's not too late for people to be baptised. So please ask people in your group if anyone is considering being baptised and feel free to put them in contact with Andrew to chat to about this.
Read Passage Aloud: Numbers 20:1-23
Re-tell the first passage in your own words
General Questions:
What do you like about the text?
What do you find challenging about the text?
What does it reveal about God?
What does it say to us?
Specific Questions:
1. Yvonne mentioned that when she talks to her kids she looks to see if they act immediately, fully and nicely. While you may have your own equivalent when talking with your children and or grandchildren we need to ask do we do the same with God? When he speaks do you respond immediately, fully and nicely? Or do we respond in a different way? What are the different ways people respond to God. In the passage how did Moses respond?
2. In the passage where does it say take the staff and strike the rock? Why do you think it was that Moses struck the rock rather than speaking to the rock? What do you think was in Moses mind when he struck the rock?
3. If someone said to you remember what God has done for you what are the things you would remember?
4. Yvonne mentioned that strings can be used to help people remember things. When our minds are sieves what helps you remember - Are you a list person? Does it help you to write things down? What could you do to help you remember what God has done for you? Does sharing the stories of what God has done for you help you remember?
5. Sometimes it's easy to remember particularly when times are good or we are at ease. But what about when times are tough or when your faith is challenged what do you remember that God has done for you in the past? Talk about a time when times were tough for you - where does your mind go. If someone asked you what has God done for you, what would you say?
6. When you participate in communion what things come to mind when we say remember all that Christ has done for us? Is it just salvation - the fact Jesus saves us from eternal death and sin? Is there more that comes to mind? What are those things?
7. Read Deuteronomy 6:7-9. Sometimes it helps people to think about what they are grateful for and talk about that rather than just thinking about all the tough things and what we need to pray about. Ask your group to think about three things they are grateful for this week? Share these things with the group - no matter how trivial or petty they may seem - start with them and see if things go deeper.
8. As you end in prayer tonight spend some time praising God for all the things you are grateful for - for all he has done for you.
N.B. We have a Baptism coming up on August 25th it's not too late for people to be baptised. So please ask people in your group if anyone is considering being baptised and feel free to put them in contact with Andrew to chat to about this.
Study 6 - Facing fear in the Mess
Pray: ask God to speak
Read Passage Aloud: Numbers 13:17- 30 & 14: 1-16
Re-tell the first passage in your own words
General Questions:
What do you like about the text?
What do you find challenging about the text?
What does it reveal about God?
What does it say to us?
Specific Questions:
1. Share in your group about what to are ok with - Snakes, Spiders, Public Speaking or Rejection - also ask out of those which do you fear the most and why?
2. Troy shared from his own life a story of when he went skiing and he looked at the situation and thought this mountain is so tall, I am so small and this is going to end badly. Share when you have been in a situation like that - when you looked at a situation in your own life and thought this situation or circumstance is big and I am small this is going to end badly?
3. Share how have you followed God in the midst of your fear - perhaps (like Wes did) outline what the fear was and then share what did you do? Was it a simple process? What was most helpful? What was the best/ most helpful thing you did?
4. When fear takes hold who do you turn to or lean on? Who do you confide in, ask questions of or open up to? What practises do you lean into in order to feel peace, get strength or to renew your trust in God?
5. Time and time again the Bible says do not fear - but sometimes that's easier said than done as it's a natural human response. We have hard wired into us a fight or flight response mechanism. But Moses takes a different tack - while some people might conclude God is not here, He does not care and He is not able. Have you ever been in a situation where you thought I don't think he is here? Or I don't think he cares? Or I don't think he is able?
6. Moses conviction is God is good. In the midst of a crisis what is your personal conviction - when fear gets bigger do you think God is here? Do you think he cares? Do you think he is able? Or perhaps you think that for others but not for you - share why you do not think this is true for you? What would God need to do to prove to you that he is here, that he does care and that he is able?
7. Jesus said "I am with you always" - how over this next week can you develop a sense of that awareness that he is with you always? What sort of things remind you that he is with you?
N.B. We have a Baptism coming up on August 25th it's not too late for people to be baptised. So please ask people in your group if anyone is considering being baptised and feel free to put them in contact with Andrew to chat to about this. You may even want to play the video below for your group.
Read Passage Aloud: Numbers 13:17- 30 & 14: 1-16
Re-tell the first passage in your own words
General Questions:
What do you like about the text?
What do you find challenging about the text?
What does it reveal about God?
What does it say to us?
Specific Questions:
1. Share in your group about what to are ok with - Snakes, Spiders, Public Speaking or Rejection - also ask out of those which do you fear the most and why?
2. Troy shared from his own life a story of when he went skiing and he looked at the situation and thought this mountain is so tall, I am so small and this is going to end badly. Share when you have been in a situation like that - when you looked at a situation in your own life and thought this situation or circumstance is big and I am small this is going to end badly?
3. Share how have you followed God in the midst of your fear - perhaps (like Wes did) outline what the fear was and then share what did you do? Was it a simple process? What was most helpful? What was the best/ most helpful thing you did?
4. When fear takes hold who do you turn to or lean on? Who do you confide in, ask questions of or open up to? What practises do you lean into in order to feel peace, get strength or to renew your trust in God?
5. Time and time again the Bible says do not fear - but sometimes that's easier said than done as it's a natural human response. We have hard wired into us a fight or flight response mechanism. But Moses takes a different tack - while some people might conclude God is not here, He does not care and He is not able. Have you ever been in a situation where you thought I don't think he is here? Or I don't think he cares? Or I don't think he is able?
6. Moses conviction is God is good. In the midst of a crisis what is your personal conviction - when fear gets bigger do you think God is here? Do you think he cares? Do you think he is able? Or perhaps you think that for others but not for you - share why you do not think this is true for you? What would God need to do to prove to you that he is here, that he does care and that he is able?
7. Jesus said "I am with you always" - how over this next week can you develop a sense of that awareness that he is with you always? What sort of things remind you that he is with you?
8. In what ways can you develop a sense of being aware that God is here, that he cares and he is able?
N.B. We have a Baptism coming up on August 25th it's not too late for people to be baptised. So please ask people in your group if anyone is considering being baptised and feel free to put them in contact with Andrew to chat to about this. You may even want to play the video below for your group.
Study 5 - God's Presence in the Mess
Pray: ask God to speak
Read Passage Aloud: Exodus 32: 1-14 & 33: 13-14
Re-tell the first passage in your own words
General Questions:
What do you like about the text?
What do you find challenging about the text?
What does it reveal about God?
What does it say to us?
Specific Questions:
1. Describe a time when you felt like God was distant or silent? What did you do in order to be close to God?
2. During the passage we see the people of Israel doing their own thing and going their own way because Moses (God's representative) was absent for longer than expected. Share a time in your life when you did your own thing or went your own way and didn't consult God about that thing or situation - how did that work out for you?
3. The whole idea of proximity to God is a key issue in this passage - God seems distant so the people rebel but God promise is that he will dwell 'among' the people. What is the importance of this term? What is the significance of the people 'knowing' that I am the Lord their God? (Ex 29:45-46)
4. When times of crisis come who do we turn to or lean on? What practises do we lean into in order to hear or feel close to God?
5. Chris made the statement that "relationship must triumph because that is who God is" what difference does that make to you each and every day? Why is this ability to have a relationship with God so important to you? What difference does it make to your life knowing his presence is with you everywhere you go?
6. Has there ever been a situation in your life where you have consciously said to God I don't want to do this (or) go here unless you go with me (or similar words to that effect)? Describe that situation and what happened?
Read Passage Aloud: Exodus 32: 1-14 & 33: 13-14
Re-tell the first passage in your own words
General Questions:
What do you like about the text?
What do you find challenging about the text?
What does it reveal about God?
What does it say to us?
Specific Questions:
1. Describe a time when you felt like God was distant or silent? What did you do in order to be close to God?
2. During the passage we see the people of Israel doing their own thing and going their own way because Moses (God's representative) was absent for longer than expected. Share a time in your life when you did your own thing or went your own way and didn't consult God about that thing or situation - how did that work out for you?
3. The whole idea of proximity to God is a key issue in this passage - God seems distant so the people rebel but God promise is that he will dwell 'among' the people. What is the importance of this term? What is the significance of the people 'knowing' that I am the Lord their God? (Ex 29:45-46)
4. When times of crisis come who do we turn to or lean on? What practises do we lean into in order to hear or feel close to God?
5. Chris made the statement that "relationship must triumph because that is who God is" what difference does that make to you each and every day? Why is this ability to have a relationship with God so important to you? What difference does it make to your life knowing his presence is with you everywhere you go?
6. Has there ever been a situation in your life where you have consciously said to God I don't want to do this (or) go here unless you go with me (or similar words to that effect)? Describe that situation and what happened?
7. In what ways can you develop being aware of God's presence being with you each day? How do you engage with him each day? How do you develop in the ability to listen to him each day?
Study 4 - Calling In The Mess
Pray: ask God to speak
Read Passage Aloud: Exodus 19:4-6 & 24:7-11
Re-tell the passage in your own words
General Questions:
What do you like about the text?
What do you find challenging about the text?
What does it reveal about God?
What does it say to us?
Specific Questions:
1. Share a time when you went somewhere familiar/ perhaps somewhere you had been before and yet you experienced something new or different
2. During the passage we see the people of Israel told by God that if they obey Him and keep the Covenant they will be His treasured possession. When have you been part of a covenant? What is so significant about the various covenants in the Old Testament? What is the difference between a covenant and an agreement? Bella noted that the Covenant between God and people is more relational - why do you think this is this so important to keep in mind?
Where does the word covenant appear in the New Testament - why is this important?
3. Why is it so important to for people to understand that
There is no one like the LORD our God (8:10)
I, the LORD, am in this land (8:22)
There is no one like me in all the earth (9:14)
The earth is the LORD’S (9:29)
I am the LORD your God (16:11)
4. When you see the Ten Commandments what do you think about and how easy are they to observe?
5. What are the hardest parts of the commandments for you? See Ex 20:2-17
6. In Exodus 24:7-11 Moses takes blood and splatters it over the people - what do you think is the significance of that action? What is the significance of blood in the New Testament?
N.B. This weekend is Engage what is your group doing for Engage - you can still sign up for something as a group or individually. See the app or weekly update for details.
Read Passage Aloud: Exodus 19:4-6 & 24:7-11
Re-tell the passage in your own words
General Questions:
What do you like about the text?
What do you find challenging about the text?
What does it reveal about God?
What does it say to us?
Specific Questions:
1. Share a time when you went somewhere familiar/ perhaps somewhere you had been before and yet you experienced something new or different
2. During the passage we see the people of Israel told by God that if they obey Him and keep the Covenant they will be His treasured possession. When have you been part of a covenant? What is so significant about the various covenants in the Old Testament? What is the difference between a covenant and an agreement? Bella noted that the Covenant between God and people is more relational - why do you think this is this so important to keep in mind?
Where does the word covenant appear in the New Testament - why is this important?
3. Why is it so important to for people to understand that
There is no one like the LORD our God (8:10)
I, the LORD, am in this land (8:22)
There is no one like me in all the earth (9:14)
The earth is the LORD’S (9:29)
I am the LORD your God (16:11)
4. When you see the Ten Commandments what do you think about and how easy are they to observe?
5. What are the hardest parts of the commandments for you? See Ex 20:2-17
6. In Exodus 24:7-11 Moses takes blood and splatters it over the people - what do you think is the significance of that action? What is the significance of blood in the New Testament?
7. There is a distinct parallel between the Old and New Testaments in that God Reveals himself,
Dwells with us,
Frees us and
Invites us. How has God revealed himself to you personally? In what ways do you know he dwells with you? How has he freed you and from what? What does he invite you to do?
8. How can you share this with other people?
N.B. This weekend is Engage what is your group doing for Engage - you can still sign up for something as a group or individually. See the app or weekly update for details.
Study 3 - People In The Mess
Pray: ask God to speak
Read Passage Aloud: Exodus 16:1-15
Re-tell the passage in your own words
General Questions:
What do you like about the text?
What do you find challenging about the text?
What does it reveal about God?
What does it say to us?
Specific Questions:
1. Share a time in your life when something did not work out as you expected?
2. During the passage we see the people of Israel grumbling about their circumstance and situation? When have you grumbled/winged or moaned about your circumstance and situation? What happened? How did you move forward from that place?
3. When has there been a time in your life when you wondered if God can provide for you and your needs? What did you do? What happened?
4. Andrew noted that there were two really interesting questions that came from this passage - Do the people doubt God can or do they doubt God will? What about you do you doubt God can or do you doubt God will?
5. Leanne mentioned it's ok to doubt. How do you handle your doubts? What doubts about God or other things have you had recently? How did you work through those doubts? How would you encourage people to work through their doubts?
6. Andrew mentioned that God cares about what you care about, more than your friends care about what you care about, because He can actually do something about what you care about. What does that mean to you? How does that statement impact you and your situation right now?
Image 1 - Future
Image 2 - God make a way where there seems to be no way
Image 3 - Place it in the hands of God
Image 4 - Put a stake in the ground
N.B. Next Monday 15th July Dr David Moffitt will be digging deeper into the Letter to the Hebrews. Please ask your group to be part of this unique opportunity and encourage them to register via the app
Read Passage Aloud: Exodus 16:1-15
Re-tell the passage in your own words
General Questions:
What do you like about the text?
What do you find challenging about the text?
What does it reveal about God?
What does it say to us?
Specific Questions:
1. Share a time in your life when something did not work out as you expected?
2. During the passage we see the people of Israel grumbling about their circumstance and situation? When have you grumbled/winged or moaned about your circumstance and situation? What happened? How did you move forward from that place?
3. When has there been a time in your life when you wondered if God can provide for you and your needs? What did you do? What happened?
4. Andrew noted that there were two really interesting questions that came from this passage - Do the people doubt God can or do they doubt God will? What about you do you doubt God can or do you doubt God will?
5. Leanne mentioned it's ok to doubt. How do you handle your doubts? What doubts about God or other things have you had recently? How did you work through those doubts? How would you encourage people to work through their doubts?
6. Andrew mentioned that God cares about what you care about, more than your friends care about what you care about, because He can actually do something about what you care about. What does that mean to you? How does that statement impact you and your situation right now?
7. How has God answered your prayers in the past? When has God not answered your prayers? Has God ever answered your prayers in a way you weren't expecting?
8. Just because God hasn't answered your prayers yet, doesn't mean he won't? Share a time from your life when you have felt like God hasn't answered your prayers - what did that do in you? How did you respond?
9. What does it mean to trust God in your circumstance and situation?
10. Perhaps ask people (if they feel comfortable) to share which image they put their post it note onto and why?Image 1 - Future
Image 2 - God make a way where there seems to be no way
Image 3 - Place it in the hands of God
Image 4 - Put a stake in the ground
N.B. Next Monday 15th July Dr David Moffitt will be digging deeper into the Letter to the Hebrews. Please ask your group to be part of this unique opportunity and encourage them to register via the app
Study 2 - Stuck In The Mess
Pray: ask God to speak
Read Passage Aloud: Exodus 4:1-13
Re-tell the passage in your own words
General Questions:
What do you like about the text?
What do you find challenging about the text?
What does it reveal about God?
What does it say to us?
Specific Questions:
1. During the passage we see Moses stuck in a particular place in his life - share with the group a time in your life when you have been stuck? How did you move forward from that place?
2. When have you felt inadequate and therefore reluctant to do something? Moses used a range of excuses - "Who am I? Who are you? and What if?" What excuse did you use to try to avoid doing what you were reluctant to do?
3. What did you learn about yourself from the experience? Are you still stuck or were you able to move forward - if so how did you move forward?
4. In our passage God kept saying go and Moses kept saying no. How did you move from being apprehensive and saying no to actually taking the step and moving forward? Was there a resource that was helpful, was it a person, was it mentoring, counselling or even a course? What helped you?
8. Yvonne noted that 'you can take the boy out of Egypt but you can't take Egypt out of the boy.' What is it that you need to leave behind in order to move forward from the point of being stuck?
N.B. Engage is coming up at on July 28th. Ask your group to be on the look out for a project as a group you could do together (for someone in the group or someone they know).
Read Passage Aloud: Exodus 4:1-13
Re-tell the passage in your own words
General Questions:
What do you like about the text?
What do you find challenging about the text?
What does it reveal about God?
What does it say to us?
Specific Questions:
1. During the passage we see Moses stuck in a particular place in his life - share with the group a time in your life when you have been stuck? How did you move forward from that place?
2. When have you felt inadequate and therefore reluctant to do something? Moses used a range of excuses - "Who am I? Who are you? and What if?" What excuse did you use to try to avoid doing what you were reluctant to do?
3. What did you learn about yourself from the experience? Are you still stuck or were you able to move forward - if so how did you move forward?
4. In our passage God kept saying go and Moses kept saying no. How did you move from being apprehensive and saying no to actually taking the step and moving forward? Was there a resource that was helpful, was it a person, was it mentoring, counselling or even a course? What helped you?
5. God doesn't just say deal with the mess he helps Moses by providing Aaron to walk through the mess with him. Who has helped you and how have they helped you move forward from being stuck? If you are still stuck, who or what do you need to walk with to move forward from the mess? Or what steps could you take to move forward?
6. Looking back to a time when you were stuck how has that experience shaped you and how has coming through that experience now been able to help others?
7. How do you respond to the statement you can't lead where you haven't been? How has this been true for you?8. Yvonne noted that 'you can take the boy out of Egypt but you can't take Egypt out of the boy.' What is it that you need to leave behind in order to move forward from the point of being stuck?
N.B. Engage is coming up at on July 28th. Ask your group to be on the look out for a project as a group you could do together (for someone in the group or someone they know).
Study 1 - The Mess
Pray: ask God to speak
Read Passage Aloud: Exodus 2: 1-22
Re-tell the passage in your own words
General Questions:
What do you like about the text?
What do you find challenging about the text?
What does it reveal about God?
What does it say to us?
Specific Questions:
1. During the passage we see Moses realising his deeds have been discovered. Share a time when you have found yourself in a situation where something you had done has been discovered?
2. Troy talked about a time when, as a High School teacher, he spoke to a student and said 'this situation you find yourself in could be the making of you if you are open and truthful and so I want you to know I am cheering you on.' When have you been in a situation that you found was the making of you? What happened? What did you do? Seeing in mind God does his best work in the mess what did God do as a result?
3. Is there a mess you currently find your self in? What is the mess you are experiencing at the moment?
4. Time was one of the greatest gift that God gave Moses. What can God do over time with your mess?
N.B. Engage is coming up at on July 28th. Ask your group to be on the look out for a project as a group you could do together (for someone in the group or someone they know).
Read Passage Aloud: Exodus 2: 1-22
Re-tell the passage in your own words
General Questions:
What do you like about the text?
What do you find challenging about the text?
What does it reveal about God?
What does it say to us?
Specific Questions:
1. During the passage we see Moses realising his deeds have been discovered. Share a time when you have found yourself in a situation where something you had done has been discovered?
2. Troy talked about a time when, as a High School teacher, he spoke to a student and said 'this situation you find yourself in could be the making of you if you are open and truthful and so I want you to know I am cheering you on.' When have you been in a situation that you found was the making of you? What happened? What did you do? Seeing in mind God does his best work in the mess what did God do as a result?
3. Is there a mess you currently find your self in? What is the mess you are experiencing at the moment?
4. Time was one of the greatest gift that God gave Moses. What can God do over time with your mess?
5. Have you ever had to own up to being the one who created a mess - perhaps we should ask will you own up to the fact that you are the one who created the mess you are in at the present time? What do you need to do in order to get out of the mess? What could you ask God to do at this point in time? What could you ask the members of the group to do to assist you at this point in time?
6. Maybe today you are asking can anything good come from this mess? Let the fact that just as God used Moses mess he can use your mess be an encouragement to you.
7. How might God be speaking to you today? You might think you're disqualified, you might think you're not good enough, you might think God won't forgive your mess but remember God makes in the mess - what does he need to make in you?N.B. Engage is coming up at on July 28th. Ask your group to be on the look out for a project as a group you could do together (for someone in the group or someone they know).