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?