Month: September 2012

Flow Questions for Sep. 29 & 30, 2012

Date:  September 29-30, 2012
Series:  Uncontrollable
Message:  Uncontrollable Grace
Passages:  John 6:50-58  1 Corinthians 11:23-30

 

INTRODUCTION – 10 MINUTES

What are some of your favorite memories?

Leader note:  Spend just a few minutes on this question and then move through the other intro questions.

Leader note:  Everyone should be able to think of one or two – usually they will think of the big events in their lives, that’s okay, let them reminisce a bit.

Commentary:  Some examples of answers you may get from your group –

Wedding – theirs or one they attended
Watching sunset in Maui on honeymoon
Proposing to wife, or being proposed to
Backpacking, rafting, fishing, skiing with family, or other vacations
Kids being born, adoptions being finalized
Being accepted to college, getting a new job

 

Talk about your memories – why are they so important for us to remember?

Commentary – Some of the reasons memories are important –

They mark milestones
Define a point in our life/define our life
Keep us grounded
Give us identity
Remind us who we are

 

What are things you did, things you remember, you wish you could forget?  

Leader note:  These are those embarrassing times in your life – where things played out in your mind better than they did in real life.  Have your group think of a couple of those memories – they don’t have to share if they don’t want to, move to the next question.

Follow up with this last thought:  “What do you learn about memories?”

Commentary:

Emotions come back with the memory
Change the details sometimes – make it worse than it was or better than it was
They grow
 We let memories define us
We internalize them
In a way, memories define who we are

 

OBSERVATION – 20 MINUTES 

Read John 6:50-58 and 1 Corinthians 11:23-30.  What should we remember?

Leader tip:  Make sure you respond to each answer, either have them expand on their answer or rephrase it if they just read from the text.  For instance, if they just say, remember the bread, ask them what the bread represented, really get them to consider the meaning behind the directive to remember – why it would be important.

Commentary:  Some of the answers your group should get –

Bread – remember his body – Emmanuel, he came to be with us, flesh and bone, from heaven, brings eternal life
Cup – remember the blood shed for us, His death, once and for all, forgiven, new covenant/agreement,
Remember what He did
Remember why He died
Remember the seriousness of it – don’t take it lightly
Remember regularly, often
Those who eat His flesh and drink His blood remains in Jesus, and He in them

 

UNDERSTANDING – 20 MINUTES

Jesus tells us to “remember” what is Jesus afraid we’ll forget?

Leader note:  Spend 10-15 minutes on this question.  There are things we need to remember and things we need to forget.  A good way to ask this question is to make two columns on a piece of paper, ask, “What are we to remember?” then before moving on, say, “What happens if we forget that?”  Look at both sides of the answer before moving on.  It will help you as you move into the application question.

Commentary:  Some examples of what your group may come up with-

Need to Remember  …                               if we forget….

He came to be with us                                 we feel alone/abandoned
His death/burial/resurrection                        We fall back into the “have to do’s”
His forgiveness                                            We’re not able to forgive others
His body/flesh and blood                             We can’t have real relationship – it is just spooky ghost-like thing
Honor the body of Christ                              We get a lot of “should” in our life
His blood shed                                             Minimize His capacity to cover ALL sins – limit Jesus
The New Covenant/arrangement                 Go back to everything is conditioned to my work
He broke the power of sin                             Sin dominates and controls me – I have to do it
List of things I’ve done was cancelled           Create my own list or others do and it becomes powerful
He came to be part of community                  Lose value of community, of the family of faith
Blood/curtain ripped – access                       I am not fit to come to him/dirty
Fulfilled promise                                              Won’t believe the rest of the promises

 

APPLICATION – 20 MINUTES

What do you need to remember?  What do you need to forget? What does God choose to remember?  What does God choose to forget?

Leader note:  Spend 10-15 minutes on these questions.  Ask all of them of each person who answers, one at a time.  First ask, what do you need to remember?  What do you need to forget?  Once they have answered that, ask them, “What does God choose to remember?” And, “What does God choose to forget?”

Commentary: Some sample answers-

I wasn’t part of a family when I was a child, I need to forget that I was an orphan, feeling like I’m not worthy of a family, didn’t deserve a family.  I need to remember I am loved, I am part of a family.  God chooses to remember I am His loved child, I am adopted into His family and have all the advantages of being part of that family – feeling loved, part of something, worthy, a sense of belonging.

I need to remember Jesus conquered the power sin has over me and need to forget old ways, forget hopelessness.  God chooses to see me as a new creation in Christ.

I need to remember Christ died for me and I am forgiven once and for all.  I need to forget the shame and guilt and brokenness of my past, I need to forget feeling worthless because of those things I did, less than, unworthy, ugly.  God chooses to forget all of my past, he remembers and sees me through the blood of Christ – I am clean, forgiven, righteous through Christ.

When I choose to remember it defines certain things in my life.  If I choose to remember Jesus died for me and love me I can’t hold onto self-hate, feelings of failure, feelings of not being enough, not being worthy, not forgiving.  God chooses to see me as a new creation in Christ, He sees me as worthy, forgiven, righteous, he forgets my old self

 

 

Pray:  You may choose to take Communion/Lord’s Supper in your life group.  If you do, pause to remember what it means that Christ came, in the flesh to be with you, what does that mean to you personally?  Pray silently and then say out loud, “this is my body, take this in remembrance of me”, then take the cup of wine or juice, remember what it means to you personally that Jesus died for you, once and for all, covering your sins so that God chooses to see only the blood of His beloved Son when He looks at you, what does that mean to you?  Pray silently.  Then say out loud, “this is my blood, drink it in remembrance of me”.  End your time together praising Jesus for coming in the flesh to identify with you, to be with you, to understand everything about you, and for taking your sin upon the cross, dying for you so that you can be in right relationship with the Father.  Spend time quietly asking for forgiveness in any areas you require it, and then asking that God will help you to remember His incarnation, His sacrifice and His love for you in a whole new way.  Help you to remember those things you need to remember and to forget those things you need to let go of forever.

 

LIVE IT OUT

Who can each of us tell our story to this week?  What will that look like in our community/world?

Flow Questions for Sep. 22 & 23, 2012

Date:  September 22-23, 2012
Series: Uncontrollable
Message: Uncontrollable Power
Passage:  Psalm 62

 

INTRODUCTION – 5 MINUTES

If you could change your first name to anything, what would you choose?

Leader note:  This is just a fun question for everyone to be able to jump in and answer.  Follow up with “why?” when they answer.  While it seems to be a throwaway question, there may be answers that reveal something else.  For instance, if someone gives a name and says, “I knew someone with that name who was so beautiful” it may be because they don’t feel beautiful.  Or possibly a name of someone who is successful and they feel as though they have failed.  This is particularly good to use if you will be doing the “Labels” activity at the close of your time together (specified below).

 

OBSERVATION – 15 MINUTES

Read Psalm 62.  What do you learn about a “God only” vs. a “God and” lifestyle?

Leader note:  While you can use any translation for this discussion, the NLT contains the words “God alone, He alone” and the NIV does not, while it is implied.  We are including the NLT translation at the bottom of the page if you prefer to use that.  The commentary will be written using the NLT translation.

Commentary:

God only
Resting, patience, waiting on Him
Victory comes from Him
He is my rock
He is my salvation
He is my fortress
Our hope is in Him
Honor comes from Him
Protects us from our enemies,
He is trustworthy in good and bad times
We can come to Him with our troubled hearts
Power belongs to God
Unfailing love is His
He is just

 God and ____
People are not trustworthy, two-faced, can’t depend on them, don’t have our best interest at heart, want to destroy us
Have nothing to do with unfairness in dealings
Wealth should not be the center of our life

 

From your own knowledge of David’s life, what did he hold onto besides God?  (What was his God and ______ lifestyle?)

Commentary:
Held onto God and
Power
Army
loyalty of people
stature
strength

 

UNDERSTANDING – 20 MINUTES

What are things people hold onto in addition to/or instead of God?

 We hold onto

Health, Money, Cleverness, Intelligence, Talent, Ability, Security, Pleasure

 

What does it look like when people live a “God and..” lifestyle?  What are the results?

What does it look like when people live a “God only” lifestyle?  What are the results?

 

God and _____

Results:

Feel hopeless, desperate,  They are undependable
They are fleeting
People can be knocked down when they hold on to these things
Find they are not enough, in all circumstances
Feel like God let them down
Feel like they failed or are unworthy because they don’t accomplish what they wanted
They hold onto rebellion, sin

         

God alone

Results:

They confess their failures, and their successes belong to God
They forgive and ask for forgiveness
they are grounded, bad news is put in perspective
They feel hopeful
They don’t feel abandoned or alone
They believe there is a reason for what they are going through
They worship
Their lives reflect their dependence and humility – is attractive to others

Leader note:  If any of your group members have specific stories of people they know (maybe without using names) who have lived these lifestyles that would help the discussion.  One recent sad example of someone holding onto their own ability and position is the Olympic Coach of the Russian Women’s Volleyball team who committed suicide after a poor showing at the Olympics.  When we live with our hope and trust in fleeting ability and reputation, and fail – there is hopelessness.  An example on the other side can be seen in the life of Matt Barkley where USC received sanctions guaranteeing he would not participate in a bowl game for two years, yet he held onto God alone, and believed he was placed at USC for a reason.        

 

Personal application story:  Two parents of young children have been in a life group with other parents who are living a “God alone” lifestyle in raising their kids.  Hearing them confess their struggles, and admit how hard parenting really is has helped the other parents talk to each other, forgive each other for shortcomings and co-parent in a more unified way.  They realized they were living a lifestyle of “God and our own ability” and “God and our own reputation”.

 

APPLICATION – 20 MINUTES

Where are you living a lifestyle of “God and…”  When have you lived as “God alone” and what were the results?

Leader note:  This moment is a “God only” moment – have them say I’m letting go of ______.

 

Personal application story:  One woman who recently celebrated a milestone birthday was living a “God and youth, puffed up dreams and expectations, believing “I’m less than”.  When she let those go, and clung to God alone, God told her she was enough.

 

Leader note:  One fun idea at the end of your time together would be to have two bland labels for each member of your group.  After they talk about what they’ve been holding onto, have them write the label for themselves they have taken on, or was given to them by others.  Put that label in a trashcan you have placed in the room.

Then on the label that God gives them when they hold onto Him only, and have them wear that one as they leave the discussion time.

 

Examples of Labels we take on:

          Successful

          Reputation

          Unworthy

          Failure

          Rich

          Poor

          Unemployable

          Undeserving

          Stingy

          Greedy

          Selfish

          Athlete

          Popular

          Immoral

         

Labels God gives:

          Worthy

          Loved

          Forgiven

          Wealthy/Co heir of Jesus

          You are enough

          You are not alone

          Valued

 Leader note:  The labels people hold onto can indicate a stronghold that needs to be broken.  If you notice that in your group, plan time to pray with them, follow up with them.

 

5.  What does it look like to the world for a group of people to embrace a “God only” lifestyle?

 

PRAY:  As you end your time together pray for God to impress your new label on your heart, to give you glimpses into the victories that come from a God only lifestyle, and to convict you of other places you need to “let go” and depend on, worship, surrender to God alone.  Conclude by reading aloud together the first two verses of Psalm 62.

 

Psalm 62 (NLT)

I wait quietly before God,    
for my victory comes from him.
2 He alone is my rock and my salvation,     
my fortress where I will never be shaken.

3 So many enemies against one man—     
all of them trying to kill me.
To them I’m just a broken-down wall     
or a tottering fence.
4 They plan to topple me from my high position.     
They delight in telling lies about me.
They praise me to my face     
but curse me in their hearts. 

5 Let all that I am wait quietly before God,     
for my hope is in him.
6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,    
 my fortress where I will not be shaken.
7 My victory and honor come from God alone.     
He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.
8 O my people, trust in him at all times.     
Pour out your heart to him,     
for God is our refuge. 

9 Common people are as worthless as a puff of wind,     
and the powerful are not what they appear to be.
If you weigh them on the scales,     
together they are lighter than a breath of air.

10 Don’t make your living by extortion     
or put your hope in stealing.
And if your wealth increases,     
don’t make it the center of your life.

11 God has spoken plainly,     
and I have heard it many times:
Power, O God, belongs to you;
12 unfailing love, O Lord, is yours.
Surely you repay all people     
according to what they have done.

Flow Questions for Sep. 15 & 16, 2012


NOTE:  There are two sets of flow questions this week, one for Irvine, and one for Mission Viejo.  Please use the flow questions that correspond with the weekend message you heard in church.

 

IRVINE

SERIES:  UNCONTROLLABLE
MESSAGE: UNCONTROLLABLE GOD
DATE: September 15-16, 2012
PASSAGE:  Genesis 4:1-16

 

INTRODUCTION – 10 MINUTES

When was a time you got mad at a referee or umpire during a game you were playing or watching?

Leader note:  If you have parents in your group they may think about one of their kids games.  You might have people who have recently watched a big game on TV (Olympic event, basketball finals, world cup match, tennis match, baseball game) and they can talk about that.  Encourage them to comment on each other’s episodes – it will encourage discussion for the rest of the group time instead of question/answer and back and forth between you and one member at a time.

OBSERVATION – 20 MINUTES

Read Genesis 4:1-16.  What do you learn about Cain, Abel, and God?

Leader note:  You may want to break this text into two parts.  Read up to verse 7, answer the first question.  Then read the rest of the verses and answer it again along with the rest of the observation questions.

Commentary: 

Abel:
Second born son
Is a rancher
Gives favored offering to God
Is killed by his brother 

Cain:
Firstborn son
He’s a farmer
Gives “some” of his crop as (first-recorded)  offering to God
His offering is not looked on by God with favor
Knows what is right (at some point – maybe before but definitely after he gave the offering), there was an acceptable way to make an offering, Cain chose not to utilize it.
Gets  very angry
Gets a chance to answer God, change his offering
He’s downcast – shows he is hurt
Murders his brother
Is banished but yet protected

 God:
Looks at Abel’s offering with favor
Does not accept Cain’s offering with favor
Heart matters – offering reflects heart
Asks Cain why he is angry?
Gives Cain a chance to stop, to self-analyze and enter back into relationship (Grace)
Let Cain suffer consequences, yet protects Him (grace)
God can’t be controlled, either by doing good (Abel – ends up being murdered) or disobedience (Cain gets extended grace)

What would Cain’s feelings have been?

 (what he may have answered to God’s question “why are you angry?”)

You’re unfair, you choose favorites
You always liked him better
Mine is never enough, my best is never enough, I can’t win
I failed
He just outdid me on my idea – he stole my idea
People judge me too harshly

What were the consequences of Cain’s anger?

Cain killed his brother
Abel does everything right (as far as we know in this story) and yet is killed
God warns Cain and gives him freedom to decide what to do AND then protects him

                Total Freedom = other people can be hurt and hurt us.

God protects Cain, but banishes him to wander

  • Cain feared that God didn’t love him
    • Yet, God protected him
    • God gives him the effects of sin
    • Cain feared his own death

 

 

There is a formula for revenge/vengeance –

Formula:

 

 

UNDERSTANDING – 20 MINUTES

Where do you see this formula play in in the world?  What were the results?

Leader note: Have your group think of recent times where they have seen this formula played out until the end, or stopped somewhere before vengeance/revenge.  Think of stories in the news, and personal applications that you may have seen in your own families, workplaces, schools, neighborhoods, etc.  Talk about both the positive and the negative, where have you seen grace of forgiveness before it even got to anger?  What about after anger but before they harbored it until they were bitter and resentful? 

Commentary:
When we act out in anger we wind up in isolation
From others or from God
Natural consequence of broken relationship from anger

 

APPLICATION – 20 MINUTES

Where are you in the formula? Where are you hurt?

Where in your life have you started down that hurt/anger/resentment/revenge road and stopped it?

Leader note:  Have members of the group consider where they have been hurt, either recently or in the past.  When have they stopped the progression?  Where are they now if they haven’t forgiven or dealt with the hurt? 

 

Pray:  End your time together thanking God for His uncontrollable grace, and for the way He models forgiveness for us.  Ask that He convict you of where you are moving from being hurt further toward vengeance, pray He stops you to ask you, “why are you angry” before you move into bitterness, and gives you a spirit of reconciliation and peacemaking.

 

LIVE IT OUT

What if we really dealt with our feelings before progressing in the formula, how would that affect our family, community?

 

 

MISSION VIEJO

 

INTRODUCTION – 5 MINUTES

What would a perfect picnic look like to you?

Leader note:  Some people in your group may not like picnics.  That’s ok, ask them if they could “move” the picnic inside, where would they take it.

Commentary:  You may like the planning and execution of a great picnic.  Preparing the food as well as all of the accompaniments is fun for some, or maybe it’s the thought of being outside somewhere – maybe the beach, or a green park, or in the mountains.  It could be the company at the picnic that makes it perfect. 

 

OBSERVATION – 20 MINUTES

Read Matthew 14:13-21.  How did Jesus show he cared about the people?  What was the response of the disciples?

Leader note:  Make sure you put this passage in context.  Remind your group that Jesus would have just found out about his cousin, John the Baptist, being beheaded in jail.  He would have been in a state of grief.  If you want you can read the passage (verses 1-12) to your group first and then proceed into the story for the study this week.

Commentary: 

Even though Jesus would have been tired and in a state of grief he looked at the crowd and took compassion on them.  
He healed the sick.
He gave them his attention.
Jesus wanted to serve them, make sure they were taken care of, fed.
Before giving the bread and fish to the disciples he looked up to heaven, and he blessed the food.

The response of the disciples was one of selfishness – send them away…gave reasons they couldn’t serve – there’s not enough.

Look at the passage again, but this time imagine yourself being one of the disciples.  What would you be thinking?  Then imagine yourself as someone in the crowd.  What would you be thinking? 

Leader note:  As you go through the passage, take each verse and consider it from the viewpoint of the disciple and then as part of the crowd.  Notice who Jesus told to “feed them”.

Commentary:

First consider the context of the passage – immediately follows Jesus and the disciples learning of John the Baptists death.  The disciples even had the task of coming for the body and burying it.  Then they were to Jesus to break the news.  Consider their mood, their disposition as they faced the crowd. 

As you look at the passage from the disciple’s point of view, take note that it was the disciples that fed the crowd.  What would they have been feeling as they were being handed bread by Jesus?  They had one basket each and most likely 20,000+ people looking forward to being served.  What would they be thinking as they handed each family their share of food and then thinking they would be out of food turned to the next family sitting on the grass, and there in their basket was enough for that family.  Again and again they found exactly what they needed to serve each family that waited for them.  And what did they have at the end of their serving?  Exactly what they had when they started!  There was 12 baskets left over, one for each disciple. The served and served and yet they ended up with exactly the same as they had when they started.  Notice where the miracle happened – it was with the disciples as they were feeding the crowd, not back with Jesus.  They got to be part of the miracle.  They got to witness the life change – possibly from doubt to faith, from skepticism to trust.  Their faith most likely grew.  They would have joy, perhaps even energy they were lacking when they started.

Next consider what it would have been like to be in the crowd.  Think of being one of the first served, then how would it have been to be one of the last?  Would you believe there was going to be enough for you?  Would you start thinking that Jesus cared for those at the beginning, but maybe there wasn’t enough to go around?  What would you feel like once you received your fill?  What if you were a seeker?  What if you were a cynic?  What if you were starving, needy or sick? 

 

UNDERSTANDING – 20 MINUTES

Think of our weekends at church, what are all of the places you see volunteers showing people they care, before they even get to the service?

Leader note:  Consider all of the volunteers you see each weekend you come to church.  Think of it from the perspective of a first-time visitor.  Who do they see showing them that they care they have come to our church.

Commentary:  Church really begins as you pull onto the property.  From those directing traffic, to those guiding you into a parking spot, those driving shuttles, the people that welcome you to Port Mariners and those who check in your kids, those who work with and love the kids, those who hand you bulletins on your way in, the people who work the patio tables.  All of them show people that they care by their service.

 

APPLICATION – 20 MINUTES

Where do you want to serve and why?

Leader note:  Consider again all of the volunteer opportunities you see on the weekends, but also consider other volunteer positions within the church ministries.  Let your group explore various areas that interest them, ask them what difference their service would make to those that would be impacted by their commitment. Talk about how their lives would change if they got in the game.  As you talk about it, consider the parallels to the disciples’ experience.

 

Pray:  Ask God to bless those that serve so faithfully at church to make it the experience that it is for each person that attends.  Pray that the Holy Spirit will prompt each member of your small group to see the crowds around them with compassion.  Pray for a relaxing and refreshing summer and that each person will find the place to serve that best meets the need of the crowd and provides life change for both the servant and those who will be served.

 

LIVE IT OUT

How would we affect our community if we moved toward volunteering in this way?

Flow Questions for Sep. 8 & 9, 2012

INTRODUCTION – 5 MINUTES

Were you ever a part of a rescue?  Either on the rescuing side or the one being rescued?

Leader note:  Try to stay away from faith-type rescues – guide your group to actual rescuing someone or something.  Example – saving someone from the ocean, or being saved from the ocean.  Saving an animal that was in trouble. 

 

OBSERVATION – 20 MINUTES

What do you learn about the Philistines?  The Israelites?

Leader note:  The Israelites had begun worshiping false Gods – Ashtoreth and Baal – materialism and sexuality.  They had removed God from the first priority in their lives.

Leader note:  Take this passage little by little and answer the question as you go through it.

 

Commentary:

Philistines-
Sent their army to meet the Israelites attack
Defeated the Israelites, killing 4,000 men
Heard the Israelites shouting – wondered what was up
Feared the fact that the God of the Israelites was now in their presence
Said they were doomed
Identified God as mighty, knew of how He struck the Egyptians.
Encouraged each other with be strong, be men
Fought and won in a basic massacre.  30,000 Israelites were killed
Killed Eli’s two sons
They captured the ark of God (where the presence of God was)

The Israelites
Attacked the Philistines (did not have the ark of the covenant of God – where God’s presence dwelt)
Lost 3000 men in the first battle
Decided to “take God to the battle with them” to improve the results,  – along with Eli’s two sons
Celebrated the fact that the ark of the covenant was in the camp – so much the ground shook
Were defeated, lost over 7x as many men as the first time.
Lost the ark of the covenant and the lives of Eli’s son
Eli died when he heard the ark was lost, and his daughter in law named her child, Ichabod – The Glory has departed from Israel

 

What do you learn about God?

He won’t be manipulated
He can’t be used or controlled
He allows struggles and defeat
Expects surrendered hearts, dependent solely on Him, not as a last resort
His presence ended up with those who feared Him

 

Read 1 Samuel 7:2-4, 9.  What do you learn about the Israelites?

Commentary: 

They were without the Lord for 20 years
They turned to the Lord with all their hearts
They got rid of the gods of materialism and sexuality
They committed themselves to the Lord
They served the Lord only
The Lord heard and answered Samuel’s prayer on Israel’s behalf

 

UNDERSTANDING – 20 MINUTES

Where do you see people trusting in things other than God?

Leader note:  People trust in the same things now as they did back in Samuel’s day – money and pleasure.  Have your group talk about those situations and what their trust in those things does to their lives.

 

What are people’s expectations when they bring God into their life/circumstances?  What are the results?

Commentary:

A lot of people think if they go to church, or put money “in the offering plate” they can get God on their side
Kind of bargain with God – “If I do this God, you should do that…”
Think that because they are Christians life will be easy, or they won’t have problems
Expect God to behave a certain way – make God small and manipulative
They get disappointed in God when He doesn’t do what they want
They question God and His power, instead of their motivation and heart

 

APPLICATION – 20 MINUTES

Where are you putting other things before God in your life?

Leader note:  Have your group consider things that you talked about in the last question – bank accounts, jobs, family, relationships, pleasure,

 

What expectations of God do you have when you bring Him into your life or circumstances?  What have been the results?

Leader note:  Have you been disappointed by God?  Ask your group if they’ve really searched their hearts in their situations and if they brought God in to rescue them when they couldn’t do it on their own, or with whatever they trusted in before?

Leader note:  For those who think they are doing the right things, the God things, they usually expect God to act a certain way – keep them from harm, protect them, that they won’t suffer unemployment, or illnesses or set-backs.  And when they have that point of view, when they do suffer failures, let downs, etc – they think God has let them down.  With this point of view we make God small and manageable, able to fail us, we know better and He didn’t come through.

 

What does God really want?

Commentary: (some of the answers you may come up with in your group.)
A humbled heart
Serving only Him, not money, pleasure, etc.
Putting Him first, not to be used
Worshipping at all times
That’s the important question isn’t it?  Know what God wants and align with Him.

Leader note:  This discussion may get messy because in chapter 7 it ends with God answering the Israelite’s prayer as they asked when they humbled themselves, ride themselves of false God’s etc., people may think that if they just do certain things then God will do what they want.  Let people struggle with this thought – if you need to, go to Psalm 34:17-18 and discuss how it applies.  God promises to be with us, but sin exists, evil exists, trials exist – so how does this play out?  This will not necessarily be a discussion that leads to a neat, settled ending, so just be prepared to encourage your group to seek out in Scripture other passages and verses which answer their lingering questions.

 

PRAY

As you end your time together take a silent time of confession to talk to God about those areas you have tried to control him, trusted in other things first or instead of Him, making deals with Him.  Then pray with your group to surrender, rest in the presence of the Lord, seek His will and align your heart and actions with Him. 

 

LIVE IT OUT

Who do you know putting trust in things other than God, or trying to manipulate God?  How can you share with them what God really wants?

Flow Questions for Sep. 1 & 2, 2012

INTRODUCTION – 5 MINUTES

 

When was a time you were given a task you didn’t feel qualified for?

Or

How did you feel on the first day of your first job?

Leader note:  We’ve all had those times.  Whether it was your first day on the job, or as a kid doing a science project for your class, or a job someone pushed you towards, or maybe giving a presentation and you didn’t feel like you were the right one to give it.  Maybe it was babysitting a baby that couldn’t be consoled, or being picked to be on a sports team that you hadn’t practiced up for. 

 

OBSERVATION – 15 MINUTES

 

Read Exodus 3:1-4:17.  What do you learn about God and Moses? 

 

Leader note:  Pay extra attention to the part of the passage that deals with God’s calling Moses and Moses’ response to that call as that is what the next couple of questions deal with.


Commentary:  Some of the things that your group should see in the passage are:

Moses was a shepherd for his father-in law
God came to him in the form of a burning bush (vs. 4)
God called Moses by name
Moses responded “Here I am!”
God identifies himself as the God of Moses’ ancestors.
Moses was afraid to look at God
God tells Moses about the “Promised Land”
God says “YOU must lead my people”
Moses protested “Who am I?” (He says it twice in vs. 11)
God says “I will be with you”
God told him of the first sign he would give Moses after he led the people out of Egypt
Moses protests again asking who he should say sent him when they ask.
God replies to Moses “I AM WHO I AM”  “Yahweh (eternal name), the God of your ancestors has sent me to you.”
God told Moses to gather the elders of Israel and tell them of the plan to escape the oppression of Egypt and go to the Promised Land.
God tells Moses the elders will accept the message.
God tells Moses he must appear before the king of Egypt and tell him they need to leave to offer sacrifices, God lets Moses know that he will use miracles to prove to the king that they need to go and he will finally let them.
God says he will “cause” the Egyptians to look favorably on Moses and the Israelites and they will even give them gifts when they leave.  They will strip the Egyptians of their wealth.
Moses protested again by saying “they won’t believe me”
God turned Moses’ shepherd’s staff into a snake and back again and told Moses to perform that sign for the people.
God turned Moses’ hand into one inflicted with leprosy and then restored it and told Moses to perform that sign for the people.
God told Moses for a third sign he should poor water from the Nile River and that the water will turn to blood.
Moses protested again saying he wasn’t good with words and would get tongue-tied.
God reminded Moses it was He that made his mouth.
Moses protested again and pleaded that God send someone else.
God finally agrees to let Moses’ brother Aaron speak to the people for Moses, but reminded Moses that the words he used would come from God to Moses and then Moses to Aaron.
God told Moses “you will stand in the place of God for him” meaning Moses would tell Aaron what to say as God was telling him.

 

UNDERSTANDING – 20 MINUTES

 

How can people recognize God’s purpose for their life?

Leader note:  Since God doesn’t talk to most people through burning bushes anymore, it will be helpful to tell your group how to recognize God’s calling.  All believers are filled with the Holy Spirit.  He prompts and guides us to bring about God’s will – this feels like a burning passion, a nudge, a thought that keeps coming to mind – we just aren’t paying attention at times.

Leader note:  This could be as simple as a neighbor mentioning how their marriage is falling apart and is reaching out for someone to talk to, it could be a kid that is making bad choices and leaves open opportunities for being approached.  It could be something bigger like a calling to a mission’s trip, or ministry to others in your community.

 

Where do you see people avoid engaging in their purpose and where do you see people embrace it?

Leader note:  There are so many excuses people use to not answer God’s call.  “I’m too busy”, “I’m not qualified”, “Maybe when my kids are grown”, “My travel schedule with my job won’t allow me to do it”.  Most people should know of someone (without using names) that has avoided doing what they are being led to do. 

Leader note:  Most people should know at least one person that always seems to step and respond to God’s call with a resounding “Yes, I’ll do it”.  It’s amazing that at so many church events you see the same people helping – whether checking people in, working the information tables, whatever the task, they always seem to be there.  Or maybe someone in your group has taken on a new ministry – this would be a great time to affirm them.

Leader note:  After your group considers the people that accept God’s call, ask them, “Do you think their life is any less busy, or complicated, than the person that avoids God’s call?”  It is important for them to understand that the people that say yes are living the same types of lives that those that say ‘no’ are living, they just make God’s business a priority.

 

APPLICATION – 20 MINUTES

 

What do you think God’s purpose is for you?  How will you respond?

Leader note:  You may want to ask this question and then re-ask this way “What is God calling you to do and what are you going to do about it?”  What is that burning passion?  That nudging?  That thought that keeps coming up that you keep pushing aside?

Tip:  Help your group recognize God’s prompting.  It could be when they hear of a need and their heart starts beating a little faster, or when they listen to a story about Outreach ministries and they get tearful, or when they hear a call for leaders and know they are qualified and think “I really should do that”, all of those are God’s prompting.  It could be a friend is in need of someone to come alongside of them and counsel them.  Maybe it’s a kid that needs a mentor, or a family member that needs you to pray with them.  Maybe God is calling you back to true worship of Him, to study about Him more, to be in the Word more.  God’s prompting will always be about His Kingdom – and within His will, that is one way to verify it is Him.  It is not about personal gain or satisfaction.

Leader note: If a member of your group just doesn’t feel like they have been “called” by God to do anything, help them think of jobs or areas of interest.  If they are still unable to think of something then tell them that it’s ok, you’ll pray that you will feel God’s prompting in your life and remember to pray for that in your closing prayer.

 

Pray:  Take the final moments of your group’s time together to pray.  Ask God to make his prompting clear to each of your members.  Pray that they will know that as with Moses, God will be with them as they undertake the purpose He has given.  Thank God for his faithfulness.

 

Live it Out

 

What would change in our community if we were all to embrace the purpose God has called us to?