Series Based Bible Study

Transcription

1 Series Based Bible Study Vineyard Columbus January - February 2018

2 Called A Vineyard Columbus Small Group Study Series Series Description Moses was someone who heard and answered a call one that involved serving, giving, investing in others and asking for more of God in his life. This call was not a matter of Moses deciding on a life goal and then strategically planning for its achievement. Rather Moses was simply asked to respond in faith to a call that came from God. In this sermon series, we ll explore different aspects of God s call and share practical ways to hear, answer, and apply God s call to our lives. This guide offers six weeks for your small group to work through. At Vineyard Columbus, we encourage your group to use this study as one component of your time together. We truly believe that disciples of Jesus will mature best when they engage in corporate worship, prayer ministry, practicing the prophetic, studying the Bible, serving our neighbors, community, church, and fellowshipping together. This study only covers one of those aspects, the Bible. Suggestions and ideas will be posited to aid the leader regarding the other areas. We pray this will be helpful to your group as you explore Called. Called 2

3 Table of Contents: Page Week 1 - Called to God Week 2 - Called to Serve Week 3 - Called to Give Week 4 - Called to Involve Others Week 5 - Called to More Week 6 - Called to Pass it On Summary of Ministry Time Called 3

4 How to use this Study Series Leaders are encouraged to briefly look over all studies before you teach or hand them out to alternative teachers within the group. There is a summary of Ministry Ideas from the entire series in the back. The ministry ideas are meant to build upon each other whenever possible and some ideas will take longer planning than others. Reading the full arch of Ministry Ideas before you start the series as a small group may provide a much richer and fuller experience. Having all studies provided at the start of a sermon series will give leaders the opportunity to give studies to potential teachers or co-leaders weeks ahead of time. Our prayer is that many more disciples of Jesus will feel comfortable sharing and leading others in discussion during small group. If you have any questions, please us at: smallgroups@vineyardcolumbus.org Acknowledgements: Authors: Helena Dameron, Anthony Fowler, Abby Fahmi, Wesleigh Mowry, Rudy Alexeeff Administrator: Marsha Martin Called 4

5 Week 1 Called 5

6 Week 1 Called to God Exodus 3 Before the Lesson: Tips: If you have visitors, be sure to thank the Lord for them visiting! The book of Exodus contains many different genres of literature. This include narrative, law or legal rites, speeches, and archetype instructions for building and rituals. The instructions written in Exodus are similar in structure to many other ancient semitic cultures (Babylonian, Hittite, Sumerian, etc.). The main difference between what is written in those texts and what is recorded in the book of Exodus (and to some degree Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) is purpose. The purpose of law and rituals in most ancient scripts is to prevent disruption of social order and promote the fame of the king issuing the decree. The Jewish laws and rituals are meant to reveal the character Called 6

7 Week 1 Tips: These questions are meant to get the group thinking and spark discussion, so don t rush through them or attempt to get a solid answer for each one. Don t be afraid to wait for a while to see who speaks, and remember, there are no wrong opinions. of the God who issues them. For instance, the Babylonians has just as strong of prohibition against murder as the Israelites. The difference is that the reason the Jews give for the prohibition is that God s character is against murder. Babylonian gods (and indeed all ancient gods) were not any more moral than human beings. Sometimes they were worse! The Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) are ancient works that reveal a God not only concerned with morality, but is himself essentially moral. Introduction: There can sometimes be confusion regarding what to call the mountainside where Moses sees the burning bush from our story today. We see it called Sinai and we also see it called Horeb. They are one in the same. It is likely that God accommodated Moses cultural understanding that gods lived on top of mountains and chose to meet him there. It is comforting to think that the God of all creation considers where we are and condescends in order to meet with us. This is the context for Moses being Called to God. Starter Questions: Our culture (in the United States) doesn t typically put a lot of emphasis on names or their meaning. This is not true in the ancient world. Names were given as explanations, blessings, or hopes for the future of the individual. If you were to give yourself a new name with this practice in mind, what name would you give yourself? Opening Prayer: Called 7

8 Exodus 3 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. 3 So Moses thought, I will go over and see this strange sight why the bush does not burn up. 4 When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, Moses! Moses! And Moses said, Here I am. 5 Do not come any closer, God said. Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. 6 Then he said, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. At this, Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God. 7 The Lord said, I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey Week 1 Pray for God to soften hearts, even yours as the leader, and open each person to encouragement, hope, and even the challenge to grow closer to Jesus and deeper in their faith. Ask God to reveal principles from Moses life that may aid our journey as followers. Scripture: Ask a member of your group read this passage aloud. If someone else has a different translation of Bible, it may help to ask it to be read from 2-3 different versions Discussion Questions: We have a culture that is most often distracted and walks with their heads down, looking at a screen. Our pastor often tells the story of a time he observed people driving past him on the highway all multitasking. Some were on their phones, some were doing their makeup, and one was famously eating a bowl of cereal while driving 70 miles an hour on the interstate. What do you notice about Moses in the first four verses? - He was working (shepherd), he was observant, he was available. What do you notice about the environment he was in? - He was in the wilderness. It was probably quiet or free from lots of distraction. How often do we put ourselves in environments that are free from distraction so that we might observe and be available to hear God s call? If anyone does this regularly, would you mind sharing what you do? Called 8

9 the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 9 And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. 10 So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt. 11 But Moses said to God, Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt? 12 And God said, I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain. 13 Moses said to God, Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, What is his name? Then what shall I tell them? 14 God said to Moses, I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I am has sent me to you. 15 God also said to Moses, Say to the Israelites, The Lord, the God of your fathers the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob has sent me to you. This is my name forever, the name you shall call me from generation to generation. 16 Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, The Lord, the God of your fathers the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob appeared to me and said: Week 1 - Allow group to respond. There is a common temptation to believe that we, as God followers, need to come up with purpose, plans, all the goals, and systems to live our lives well. The current culture in the United States encourages us to forge our own destiny and to develop our own meaning for life. The Declaration of Independence even concludes its introduction with a right to pursue our OWN happiness. It then leaves that happiness undefined. When taking a sharp look at God s statements in verses 5-9, God is one who is giving meaning and purpose to Moses and the Israelites future. These are his plans, his goals, his purposes and he gives it all meaning. What are some challenges in taking your meaning, purpose, and goals from God instead of yourself? - Allow for multiple responses. What is a great relief in taking your meaning, purpose, and goals from God instead of yourself? - Allow for multiple responses. Moses soon discovers, as every God follower does, God calls us to himself and it forms a partnership. This is somewhat frustrating to many of us. Wouldn t things be easier if God just did everything that came into his mind? Why involve us humans in any of his plans? Don t we have a pretty bad work ethic and track record? But partnership has always been, and will always be, what we are called to with him. He likes when we do things together. Called 9

10 I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. 17 And I have promised to bring you up out of your misery in Egypt into the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites a land flowing with milk and honey. 18 The elders of Israel will listen to you. Then you and the elders are to go to the king of Egypt and say to him, The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Let us take a threeday journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God. 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders that I will perform among them. After that, he will let you go. 21 And I will make the Egyptians favorably disposed toward this people, so that when you leave you will not go empty-handed. 22 Every woman is to ask her neighbor and any woman living in her house for articles of silver and gold and for clothing, which you will put on your sons and daughters. And so you will plunder the Egyptians. Week 1 Read back through verses What is Moses response and attitude when God informs him of their impending partnership? - Resistance, claims of ignorance, claims of incompetence, fear, anxiety, etc. Could anyone share an example where you behaved similarly to Moses? Remember, no judgment here! We ve all done this! - Allow for responses, but perhaps share one from your own life first. Many people think that faith in the Christian God is pie in the sky and that it is, in the words of Karl Marx regarding all faiths, the opiate (drug) for the masses (common fools). The believe for those skeptical of faith is that we ignore reality and hardship or refuse to acknowledge the hard edges of life. Christians are never supposed to look at life unrealistically or sugar coat reality. If we are not healed from a disease, we don t claim it with words to make people think we have great faith. When there is pain and loss, we are supposed to work through it like everyone else. Re-read verses What do you notice about God s warning to Moses? - God is open about the resistance Moses is going to face. He is letting him know this won t be smooth sailing or an easy journey. How does it make you feel that God is real about hardship for Moses future? How do you feel when you read Jesus words to his disciples in John 16:33 (maybe someone could look that up)? Called 10

11 Week 1 - Allow for multiple answers. There is a vision of hope for Moses in verses It is a picture of what the end will be like without much detail of the crucial middle. This can often be what it is like when we partner with God. We are called to the person of God, who in his infinite wisdom, choses not to reveal all the roads and paths we will take together. Yet, there is always hope with God. That is what being called to him first means. We are called to a person we can trust. Can anyone share a story from their own life where the ending was far better than you had hoped for? - Allow for multiple answers. What are the benefits of being called to God first and foremost? Why is it better than being called to particular good tasks or ideas? - Allow for multiple answers. How can we as a group encourage each other to remember our calling to God? What are some practical tips in keeping our priority calling first and foremost in our minds? - Allow for multiple answers. Ministry Time Application: Based on the people and overall feel of your group, select which option you feel fits best. Option 1: Take a few moments and have each person write out examples of when God may have been trying Called 11

12 Week 1 Notes to get their attention, but they were too distracted. Have them prepare to confess this to the Lord, receive his forgiveness and focus their attention on what he may want to do in that situation now. Option 2: Engage in hearing from the Lord together. Request everyone to put down bibles, journals, phones, etc. and find a comfortable position. Give the disclaimer about how we believe God sti! speaks and moves today, and that by slowing down and resting for a few moments, we desire to open ourselves to experience the Holy Spirit in that way. Pray and ask God to come close, ask the Holy Spirit to speak to each person individually, especially about what was discussed in the lesson, and ask for peace and receptivity in each person. Take about 2-3 minutes in silence. When the time is up, begin by asking if anyone would like to share what he or she heard, experienced, felt, or thought. Leader, do not feel pressure to share something if you have nothing. However, know that God is moving in each person and doing something, so if nothing else, speak to that. Break down in smaller groups of 2 or 3 people, preferably same gender, to pray for one another regarding what was heard, felt, experienced, or thought during silence, or anything that is pressing. Called 12

13 Week 1 Week 2 Called 13

14 Week 2 Called to Serve Exodus 5-6 Tips: There are more questions than your group will be able to get through so feel free to pick and choose which ones you would like to use. Remember to pause between questions. Pausing for responses will help you identify quiet personalities in your group. Before the Lesson: The book of Exodus contains many different genres of literature. This include narrative, law or legal rites, speeches, and archetype instructions for building and rituals. The instructions written in Exodus are similar in structure to many other ancient semitic cultures (Babylonian, Hittite, Sumerian, etc.). The main difference between what is written in those texts and what is recorded in the book of Exodus (and to some degree Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy) is purpose. The purpose of law and rituals in most ancient scripts is to prevent disruption of social order and promote the fame of the king issuing the decree. The Jewish laws and rituals are meant to reveal the character of the God who issues them. For instance, the Called 14

15 Exodus 5 Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness. 2 Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel go. 3 Then they said, The God of the Hebrews has met with us. Now let us take a three-day journey into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to the Lord our God, or he may strike us with plagues or with the sword. 4 But the king of Egypt said, Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their labor? Get back to your work! 5 Then Pharaoh said, Look, the people of the land are now numerous, and you are stopping them from working. 6 That same day Pharaoh gave this order to the slave drivers and overseers in charge of the people: 7 You are no longer to supply the people with straw for making bricks; let them go and gather their own straw. 8 But require them to make the same number of bricks as before; don t reduce the quota. They are lazy; that is why they are crying out, Let us go and sacrifice to our God. 9 Make the work harder for the people so that they keep working and pay no attention to lies. 10 Then the slave drivers and the overseers went out and said to the people, This is what Pharaoh says: I will not give you any more straw. 11 Go and get your own straw wherever you can find it, but your work will not be reduced at all. Week 2 Babylonians has just as strong of prohibition against murder as the Israelites. The difference is that the reason the Jews give for the prohibition is that God s character is against murder. Babylonian gods (and indeed all ancient gods) were not any more moral than human beings. Sometimes they were worse! The Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) are ancient works that reveal a God not only concerned with morality, but is himself essentially moral. Introduction: This is Moses s first true test of leadership and how he will respond in the face of opposition, not only by the Pharaoh, but by the people he is meant to be leading. Despite his initial resistance to being the messenger of God and the Israelites, Moses goes before the king of Egypt. Not only does Pharaoh reject God s message, but the Israelites are put in a position where they now question whether Moses ought to be their leader. God has a plan for his people, though, just like he has a plan for each one of us. Starter Questions: What do you think of when you hear the word serve? What images come to mind when someone mentions serving? Opening Prayer: Lord, open our ears to what you want us to hear today, help us to hear you through all of the distractions in our lives, and help us to follow you even when we can t see the whole path ahead. Scripture: Called 15

16 12 So the people scattered all over Egypt to gather stubble to use for straw. 13 The slave drivers kept pressing them, saying, Complete the work required of you for each day, just as when you had straw. 14 And Pharaoh s slave drivers beat the Israelite overseers they had appointed, demanding, Why haven t you met your quota of bricks yesterday or today, as before? 15 Then the Israelite overseers went and appealed to Pharaoh: Why have you treated your servants this way? 16 Your servants are given no straw, yet we are told, Make bricks! Your servants are being beaten, but the fault is with your own people. 17 Pharaoh said, Lazy, that s what you are lazy! That is why you keep saying, Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord. 18 Now get to work. You will not be given any straw, yet you must produce your full quota of bricks. 19 The Israelite overseers realized they were in trouble when they were told, You are not to reduce the number of bricks required of you for each day. 20 When they left Pharaoh, they found Moses and Aaron waiting to meet them, 21 and they said, May the Lord look on you and judge you! You have made us obnoxious to Pharaoh and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us. 22 Moses returned to the Lord and said, Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? 23 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all. Week 2 Have two or three volunteers read the passage out loud. It may help to skip the lineage verses in chapter 6 if you re short on time! Discussion Questions In this passage we see Moses finally going to Pharaoh to tell him to let the Israelites go, and the result of this confrontation isn t what the Israelites hoped for. How would you feel if you were in Moses s position, going before a king with such a request? - Allow group to respond. Why does Moses tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go into the wilderness? How did Pharaoh feel about Moses s request? - Moses asks to hold a festival in the wilderness. Pharaoh doesn t care about Moses s God, refuses his request, and calls the Israelites lazy. What do you notice about Pharaoh from his reaction to Moses s request? - Possible responses: He believes in his own importance above Moses s God, he doesn t value the Israelites as people, only as a labor force, he is a tyrant. Instead of doing what Moses told him, what did Pharaoh do? - Pharaoh increased the workload and took away the supplies used to make bricks, forcing the Israelites to gather their own supplies and meet Called 16

17 Exodus 6 Then the Lord said to Moses, Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country. 2 God also said to Moses, I am the Lord. 3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, [a] but by my name the Lord[b] I did not make myself fully known to them. 4 I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, where they resided as foreigners. 5 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant. 6 Therefore, say to the Israelites: I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. 7 I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians.8 And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the Lord. 9 Moses reported this to the Israelites, but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and harsh labor. 10 Then the Lord said to Moses, 11 Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his country. 12 But Moses said to the Lord, If the Israelites will not listen to me, why would Week 2 the same quota. He told the slave-drivers to punish them. Just as an aside, contrary to what many people believe, the Israelites didn t build the pyramids in Egypt. Their main job that we see in the Bible was making clay bricks for building everyday structures. These bricks had to be made with a reinforcement of straw, as clay would crumble when formed and dried without a binding agent. This kind of brick-making is still practiced around the world today. How would it make you feel if someone called you lazy for wanting to take time off work to serve God or attend a church event? How might you respond to such a statement? - Allow for personal responses. The Israelites protested Pharaoh s new orders and are also angry with Moses and Aaron. They had a somewhat peaceful life before Moses went to Pharaoh to gain their freedom. They got their work done as best they could, and they didn t have much to worry about, but now they are seeing Pharaoh s true nature, and they aren t happy about it, either. What is your reaction when you read verse 21? Do you think the Israelites are right to be angry with Moses, or are they acting unfairly toward him? How would you react in a situation like this? - Allow group to respond. We know what happened after this part of Moses s story (if not, assign homework for the group to read ahead a few chapters), but Moses is struggling to understand Called 17

18 why would Pharaoh listen to me, since I speak with faltering lips[c]?. 26 It was this Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said, Bring the Israelites out of Egypt by their divisions. 27 They were the ones who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about bringing the Israelites out of Egypt this same Moses and Aaron. Aaron to Speak for Moses 28 Now when the Lord spoke to Moses in Egypt, 29 he said to him, I am the Lord.Tell Pharaoh king of Egypt everything I tell you. 30 But Moses said to the Lord, Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me? Week 2 what God is doing. This isn t the first time Moses has complained to God, and he seems to have temporarily lost faith in God s plan, but still, he goes to God to get some answers. Are you in a situation currently where you re trying to understand what God s purpose is for what you re going through? Have you ever complained to God? If you ve complained to God, how did it help you get through the situation? - Allow for personal responses. The Israelites and Moses probably thought it would be easy to convince Pharaoh to let them go, in spite of God s warnings to the contrary. We often make ourselves believe that because God has asked us to do something that it s going to be easy and we won t get resistance, but the truth is, there are many things that resist God and resist our desire to serve God. The rest of the world doesn t think it makes sense to serve God, and there is spiritual warfare that opposes us, as well. How do you react when your plans to serve God meet with resistance? What are some of the emotions that come to the surface in these situations? - Allow time for responses. Re-read God s answer to Moses s complaint, chapter 6:1-8. What stands out in these verses? What is your reaction to reading God s declarations in these verses? Called 18

19 Week 2 Tips: When people partner up in pairs to pray, it will build trust and intimacy over time. This is a great way to have your group improve overall discussion. The more people you end up trusting in your group, the more open your discussion time will be. - God gives Moses a clear reminder of his covenant with the Israelites, and lays out his plan to free them from their enslavement in Egypt. What past events does God remind Moses about? Why is this important? - He appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty. He established a covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan. For most of us, God doesn t write out a road-map like he did for Moses. How do his assurances to Moses work for us when we don t really know what his plans are for our lives? - We know he has a plan, even if it s not going to be easy. We know that through Jesus he has called us Christians to be his people, too, and that he cares for us. Ministry Time Application: Please thoughtfully choose one of the two options below based on what would be most effective and helpful for your group. Option 1: All of us are doing our best to serve God in one way or another, and at times we will encounter resistance. Ask those who are willing to share with the group, in what area are you struggling to serve God right now? Break up into pairs or groups of 3 to pray for one another for strength in those areas. Called 19

20 Week 2 Option 2: Instead of prayer, meditate on the promises of God. Assign each person in the group a verse or verses below to read out loud. Take a minute or so of silence between each reading to let the words sink in. (It may help to write out the book, chapter & verse numbers on cards and hand them out randomly.) 1. Isaiah 40: Philippians 4: Peter 1:4 4. Jeremiah 29:11 5. Matthew 11: Romans 8: Proverbs 1:33 8. John 14:27 9. Isaiah 41: Philippians 4: Peter 4: Psalm 23:4 Called 20

21 Week 2 Week 3 Called 21

22 Week 3 Called to Give Exodus Tip: There are more questions than your group will be able to get through, so feel free to pick and choose which ones you would like to use. Before the Lesson: The large section in Exodus about the tabernacle is organized according to God s command (Exodus 25:1-31:11) and Israel s response (Exodus 35:4-40:33). But God did more than tell Israel what he wanted from them. He provided the actual design for it. This is clear from his words to Moses, In accordance with all that I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furniture, so you shall make it (Exodus 25:9). The tabernacle was the beginning of the visible reminders of a Spiritual God and His plan. Introduction: God made giving to the Tabernacle a voluntary gesture. He did not demand, or command, how much a person was to give, or even that a person must give. He left it to Called 22

23 Exodus 35 Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and said to them, These are the things the Lord has commanded you to do: 2 For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a day of sabbath rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death. 3 Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day. 4 Moses said to the whole Israelite community, This is what the Lord has commanded: 5 From what you have, take an offering for the Lord. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze; 6 blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; 7 ram skins dyed red and another type of durable leather[a]; acacia wood; 8 olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; 9 and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breast piece. 10 All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the Lord has commanded: 11 the tabernacle with its tent and its covering, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; Week 3 the heart of the individual person. Let's look at what we can learn about why, what, and how we give to the Lords projects. Starter Questions: Have you ever felt like God was asking you to give money, possessions, or time for him and his purposes? Have you ever given out of your poverty, out of your abundance how did it feel? Did it feel different? Opening Prayer: Thank God for each person who is there, ask God for understanding and for transformation to take place in each person s life, ask God to bless each person and show his favor on them. Scripture: Ask for a few volunteers to read through chapter 35 and then through 36. Heads up! It s long! Discussion Questions: When reading Exodus chapter 35 verse 4-10 we learn a few things about giving. Who was called to give? Who is calling for the offering? What is the purpose for the offering? - The whole community, everyone who is willing. The Lord is asking people to give. The offering is for construction costs and decorations for the Tabernacle (Tent of Meeting.) Called 23

24 12 the ark with its poles and the atonement cover and the curtain that shields it; 13 the table with its poles and all its articles and the bread of the Presence; 14 the lamp stand that is for light with its accessories, lamps and oil for the light;15 the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; the curtain for the doorway at the entrance to the tabernacle;16 the altar of burnt offering with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the bronze basin with its stand; 17 the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard;18 the tent pegs for the tabernacle and for the courtyard, and their ropes; 19 the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests. 20 Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses presence, 21 and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. 22 All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: Week 3 Why do you think the Israelites possessions were broken into seven categories of giving? - The multiple categories of giving probably ensured everyone could give from their possessions no matter their wealth status.the items in the categories are from most expensive to least expensive, the wood, oil and spice are items that everyone would have possessed, where as the final category is an item only a few would be able to give. - Precious metals (gold, silver and bronze) - Dyed thread (Blue, purple and scarlet) - Covering materials (Fine line and goat hair) - Skins for leather (ram skin and a marine animal skin) - Acacia Wood - Oil and spice - Onyx stones and other stones Does anyone remember the story from Luke 21 where the poor woman put her two coins in the offering box? How does that story relate to this? - And He looked up and saw the rich putting their gifts into the treasury, and He saw also a certain poor widow putting in two mites. So He said, Truly I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all; for all these out of their abundance have put in offerings Called 24

25 brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the Lord. 23 Everyone who had blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen, or goat hair, ram skins dyed red or the other durable leather brought them. 24 Those presenting an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to the Lord, and everyone who had acacia wood for any part of the work brought it. 25 Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen. 26 And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair. 27 The leaders brought onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breast piece. 28 They also brought spices and olive oil for the light and for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense. 29 All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the Lord freewill offerings for all the work the Lord through Moses had commanded them to do. 30 Then Moses said to the Israelites, See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, 31 and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills 32 to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, 33 to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. Week 3 for God,[a] but she out of her poverty put in all the livelihood that she had. Luke 21:1-4 Think about what you give to the Lord to honor and worship him. In what way does it resemble what the Israelites gave? - Accept all answers. Can someone read verses 35 : where we see a specific group of people who are recognized and called to give of their talents and skills. What talent and skill are you most willing and able to contribute for a project for the Lord? - Craftsmanship, leadership, etc. How can we encourage talented artisans to give of their talents to the Lord? - Brainstorm ideas and encourage the group to write them down. The Lord gives to men and women many gifts and talents to serve Him and others. It is often helpful to ask others what gifts they see in us. Whatever gift God has given you, use it for His service! Now that we have looked at what God commands us to give, our possessions, our talents, let's look at how God commands us to give. In the following passage we learn not just the what, but the how we are to give. Will someone volunteer to read Exodus 35 : 20-29? In verses 20 through 22 there are two important aspects of how we should give. Verse 20 says the Israelites withdrew from the presence of Moses, why Called 25

26 34 And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. 35 He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers all of them skilled workers and designers. Exodus 36 1 So Bezalel, Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord has given skill and ability to know how to carry out all the work of constructing the sanctuary are to do the work just as the Lord has commanded. 2 Then Moses summoned Bezalel and Oholiab and every skilled person to whom the Lord had given ability and who was willing to come and do the work. 3 They received from Moses all the offerings the Israelites had brought to carry out the work of constructing the sanctuary. And the people continued to bring freewill offerings morning after morning. 4 So all the skilled workers who were doing all the work on the sanctuary left what they were doing 5 and said to Moses, The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the Lord commanded to be done. 6 Then Moses gave an order and they sent this word throughout the camp: No man or woman is to make anything Week 3 do you think this may have been an aspect of how to give? - It showed that the Israelites solemnly contemplated what to give to the Lord; we often are able to hear from the Lord when we take time to be in solitude, silence, and contemplation. In verses what is the 2nd important aspect of how the Israelites were asked to give offerings to the Lord? - That they were willing and that their hearts were moved to give. The Lord wanted them to want to give! We see that God wants us to personally and soberly think on what we should give and that the condition of our hearts matter. The condition of our heart is also a great litmus test on how we are doing! The apostle Paul in the New Testament wrote to the Corinthians, So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 What do think not grudgingly or of necessity refers means? - That we do not give because we feel compiled, competitive or that we expect something in return. Moses gives us another clue as to how God desires his children to give. The hint is in verse 29. What is the type of giving called in verse 29? Called 26

27 else as an offering for the sanctuary. And so the people were restrained from bringing more, 7 because what they already had was more than enough to do all the work. 8 All those who were skilled among the workers made the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn, with cherubim woven into them by expert hands. 9 All the curtains were the same size twentyeight cubits long and four cubits wide.[a] 10 They joined five of the curtains together and did the same with the other five. 11 Then they made loops of blue material along the edge of the end curtain in one set, and the same was done with the end curtain in the other set. 12 They also made fifty loops on one curtain and fifty loops on the end curtain of the other set, with the loops opposite each other. 13 Then they made fifty gold clasps and used them to fasten the two sets of curtains together so that the tabernacle was a unit. 14 They made curtains of goat hair for the tent over the tabernacle eleven altogether. 15 All eleven curtains were the same size thirty cubits long and four cubits wide.[b] 16 They joined five of the curtains into one set and the other six into another set. 17 Then they made fifty loops along the edge of the end curtain in one set and also along the edge of the end curtain in the other set. Week 3 - It is a Free Will offering. As we read verses Bezalel and Oholiab are called to do their best. What do we learn about what God when we read that we are called to do/give your best? - Allow for multiple answers. What do we learn about what God when we read that we are called to do/give your best? - Allow for multiple answers. Finally, one final aspect of how we give is summed up in Exodus 36 vs 1-7. Could someone read that again? How did the Israelites give? - The Israelites gave abundantly. Everyone gave all they had and they continued to give until at the request of the craftsmen Moses asked them to stop. It was literally over the top! Why do you think that the people s giving exceeded all expectations? What do you think inspired them to give in this way? - Allow for multiple answers. The people were giving to the Lord and they felt/saw that the Lord was among them. Could someone discuss a time when you gave abundantly and found you were given more, similar to what Malachi 3:10 describes. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Test Me in this, says the LORD of heaven's angelic armies, and see if I will not throw Called 27

28 18 They made fifty bronze clasps to fasten the tent together as a unit. 19 Then they made for the tent a covering of ram skins dyed red, and over that a covering of the other durable leather.[c] 20 They made upright frames of acacia wood for the tabernacle. 21 Each frame was ten cubits long and a cubit and a half wide,[d] 22 with two projections set parallel to each other. They made all the frames of the tabernacle in this way. 23 They made twenty frames for the south side of the tabernacle 24 and made forty silver bases to go under them two bases for each frame, one under each projection. 25 For the other side, the north side of the tabernacle, they made twenty frames 26 and forty silver bases two under each frame. 27 They made six frames for the far end, that is, the west end of the tabernacle, 28 and two frames were made for the corners of the tabernacle at the far end. 29 At these two corners the frames were double from the bottom all the way to the top and fitted into a single ring; both were made alike. 30 So there were eight frames and sixteen silver bases two under each frame. 31 They also made crossbars of acacia wood: five for the frames on one side of the tabernacle, 32 five for those on the other side, and five for the frames on the west, at the far end of the tabernacle. 33 They made the center crossbar so that it extended from end to end at the middle of the frames. Week 3 open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it? - Allow for multiple people to share. The Vineyard Columbus congregation gives abundantly! Why do you think this is so? - Allow for multiple answers. Ministry Time Application Have each member of the group take a moment to reflect on their unique talent or skill. Write out a schedule for the successive meetings having each members elect a meeting where the will give that gift willingly and abundantly to the the other members. Plan as a group to pray and contemplate partnering together to give your time or talent to a mission trip or to a disaster relief effort. Develop a plan to focus on tangible giving; providing food, clothes or other items that are needed by those around you. 34 They overlaid the frames with gold and made gold rings to hold the crossbars. They also overlaid the crossbars with gold. 35 They made the curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen, with cherubim woven into it by a skilled worker. 36 They made four posts of acacia wood for it and overlaid them with gold. They made gold hooks for them and cast their four silver bases. 37 For the entrance to the tent they made a curtain of blue, purple and scarlet yarn and finely twisted linen the work of an embroiderer;38 and they made five posts with hooks for them. They overlaid the tops of the posts and their bands with gold and made their five bases of bronze. Called 28

29 Week 3 Week 4 Called 29

30 Week 4 Called to Involve Others Exodus 18 Tip: The starter questions are meant to get the group thinking and spark discussion, so don t rush through them or attempt to get a solid answer for each one. Don t be afraid to wait for a while to see who speaks; and remember, there are no wrong opinions. Before the Lesson (before group): Throughout this series we ve been following the life of Moses, and at this point in his story we find him leading the Israelites in the desert following their escape from Egypt. He has already heard from God through the burning bush (Ex. 3), gone before Pharaoh and predicted the plagues (Ex. 7-12), led his people across the Red Sea (Ex. 14), and witnessed God miraculously provide food in the desert (Ex. 16). The Israelites were changing from a group of refugees into a community, and Moses was finding leadership more and more taxing. It is at this point that his father-in-law, Jethro, visits him and reunites him with his wife and sons. Called 30

31 Exodus 18 Now Jethro, the priest of Midian and father-in-law of Moses, heard of everything God had done for Moses and for his people Israel, and how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. 2 After Moses had sent away his wife Zipporah, his father-in-law Jethro received her 3 and her two sons. One son was named Gershom,[a] for Moses said, I have become a foreigner in a foreign land ; 4 and the other was named Eliezer, for he said, My father s God was my helper; he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh. 5 Jethro, Moses father-in-law, together with Moses sons and wife, came to him in the wilderness, where he was camped near the mountain of God. 6 Jethro had sent word to him, I, your father-in-law Jethro, am coming to you with your wife and her two sons. 7 So Moses went out to meet his father-in-law and bowed down and kissed him. They greeted each other and then went into the tent. 8 Moses told his fatherin-law about everything the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel s sake and about all the hardships they had met along the way and how the Lord had saved them. 9 Jethro was delighted to hear about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel in rescuing them from the hand of the Egyptians. 10 He said, Praise be to the Lord, who rescued you from the hand of the Egyptians and of Week 4 Introduction (starting group): Being called by God may be a personal thing, but it doesn t have to be a lonely or isolated one. As we track the life of Moses in this series, we ve seen that he s been called by God into leadership but that he doesn t experience it alone. At different points in his life Aaron (his brother), Miriam (his sister), Joshua, and, as we ll discuss in today s lesson, his father-in-law Jethro were influential in his calling. Following God isn t solitary, we are called to invite others into our lives as we walk out our callings. Starter Questions: Do you have a go-to person in your life that you turn to when you need advice (maybe a friend, parent, sibling, or mentor)? How have they helped shape your life and faith? Have you ever felt overwhelmed by a ministry or volunteer area you were serving in? Did you feel like you were able to ask for help? Why or why not? Opening Prayer: In your prayer, thank God for everyone in attendance and for the callings on their lives. Pray that everyone would be more open to involving others as they practice their faith and callings. Scripture: As a few volunteers to take portions of the passage and read it aloud. Called 31

32 Pharaoh, and who rescued the people from the hand of the Egyptians. 11 Now I know that the Lord is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly. 12 Then Jethro, Moses father-in-law, brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices to God, and Aaron came with all the elders of Israel to eat a meal with Moses fatherin-law in the presence of God. 13 The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. 14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening? 15 Moses answered him, Because the people come to me to seek God s will. 16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God s decrees and instructions. 17 Moses father-in-law replied, What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. Week 4 Discussion Questions: In the beginning of this chapter, we find Moses being reunited with his family by his father-in-law, Jethro. What news had Jethro heard about Moses during his time away? - v. 1: Jethro had heard about everything the Lord had done for Israel through Moses. In verse 7, when the two men meet, how do they greet one another? - Moses both bowed down and kissed him. In Moses day, bowing was a standard greeting to show respect to someone if higher social standing, while a kiss on the cheek would have been a greeting of friendship. Fascinatingly, this is the only time in scripture that both practices show up in the same meeting a sign of the uniqueness of Moses and Jethro s relationship. After going inside Moses tent, what did he talk to his father-in-law about? - v. 8: he told Jethro all that the Lord had done in Egypt and so far in their journey. Moses was very open about what God was doing in his life and for his people. Do you find it hard to talk to your family (especially those who may not be believers) about how God is working in your life? Why or why not? - Allow for multiple answers. How did Jethro respond to Moses stories of what had happened to Israel? Called 32

33 20 Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. 21 But select capable men from all the people men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied. 24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. 25 He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 26 They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves. 27 Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country. Week 4 - v. 9-12: he was delighted, praised God, and brought a burnt offering and other sacrifices. The burnt offering and other sacrifices brought by Jethro would have provided an opportunity for a communal meal eaten together ceremonially as an act of fellowship and thanksgiving, which we see happening as Aaron and the other elders came forward to eat with them in the presence of God (v. 12). Jethro s delight at God s work turned into a celebration. Have you experienced a moment where celebration God s work in someones life turns into a party? What are some ways your small group can celebrate and commemorate God s good work amongst you? - Take time to answer this one adequately. Get some ideas going! The next day, after the party, Moses returns to his work as a leader. What is it that he has been spending his time doing? - v spending all say serving as a judge. Reread v How does Jethro respond to Moses work? - He asks Moses why he is doing this alone, and tells him that this is not good. As an outsider to the situation, Jethro was able to recognize the unhealthiness of Moses doing everything on his own. And, by letting Jethro into his life and work, Moses was able to receive feedback from a different perspective. Why do you think it is Called 33

34 Week 4 important to have trusted people in your life with different perspectives? Tips: You don t have to make sure every one of these get answered. Your role is to be a discussion facilitator, not a professor; the idea isn t simply to give the group information, but to allow everyone to learn from the scripture and from each other. It s okay to spend more time on some questions than on others depending on how the group is responding. - So they can help you see things you otherwise didn t, to help you grow as a leader, to have someone who can speak to you about making changes others might not be able to, etc. If you don t currently have someone in your life that can act as a Jethro for you, what are some ways we can help each other see from different perspectives? - Allow for multiple answers. Jethro goes on to explain why the situation isn t good, and what Moses should do about it. Let s reread v What does Jethro warn will happen if Moses continues in this way? - That he will wear himself out. Have you ever been in that situation, where you were carrying too heavy of a load all by yourself, and started to feel burnt-out? Did you feel obligated to take care of it alone? What did you do? - Allow for answers. How does Jethro suggest avoiding burnout? - v : delegate that will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. Participating in God s calling doesn t have to be done alone asking for help and inviting others in will both help you avoid burnout and make you better equipped to do the things you re meant to be doing. Called 34

35 Week 4 According to v , how does Moses respond to Jethro s suggestions? - He listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. This is often easier said than done! Have you ever found it hard to take the advice of others? Share why you think this is so. - Allow for multiple answers, but be prepared to offer why for yourself. Involving others in your life calling means listening to their counsel and taking it to heart and putting it into practice. We know that Moses and Jethro had a very close and trusted relationship. Do you find it easier to take counsel from friends you trust? Are there people in your life who give good counsel you should be investing in and trusting more? - Allow for answers. Even Moses, one of the great figures of faith, couldn t do life without others he, like us, was called to involve others in his life and ministry, so he could see things from other perspectives, prevent burnout, and receive trusted counsel. In the coming week, be looking for ways you can open up your life and faith to others and for ways to be more involved in the lives of those around you. Called 35

36 Week 4 Notes Ministry Time Application: Based on the people and overall feel of your group, select which option you feel fits best. Option 1: Throw a Good Things party: Plan a special day with your small group to have a meal together and celebrate all the good things the Lord has done in your lives. Organize a potluck, go to a restaurant, order in pizza whatever works for your group and use that time to share what God has been doing and eat together in the presence of God. (If you re feeling particularly celebratory, extend invites to friends who may not otherwise come to small group to share in the food and thanksgiving). Option 2: Before prayer time tonight, take some time around the room to think about and share what areas in life you might want someone to get more involved in (maybe you need someone to celebrate with, to listen to you, to get a new perspective from, to hear some advice from). See if there are any connections around the room that you can help one another with. Then, during group prayer, ask God to bring people into the lives and situations around the room so that we can better share one another s burdens and joys. Called 36

37 Week 4 Are you looking to find a trusted Jethro for your life? Or, are you at a place where you could listen and give good counsel and be a Jethro for someone else? You may want to consider working with a spiritual director, becoming a mentor, or volunteering to work with our student ministries. For more information about how you can get connected, contact us at smallgroups@vineyardcolumbus.org. Called 37

38 Week 4 Week 5 Called 38

39 Week 5 Called to More Exodus 33 Before the Lesson: Tips: Be sure and let the room answer the questions you ask throughout the lesson. Don t be afraid of silence while people think. Some of your best answers may come the longer you let the silence go! Moses has been on Mount Sinai for some time now, and Aaron and the people are becoming restless. They decide, in Moses absence, that they will build a calf and worship it instead of patiently wait on God to return Moses to them and relay his commands and life-giving direction. In the midst of this, even with God s anger being shown and Moses rebuking the people, God still stays faithful to his promises to both Moses and his people Israel, and calls them to more than they ve settled for. Move from this more than we ve settled for toward the even more than Moses Called 39

40 Exodus 33 Then the Lord said to Moses, Leave this place, you and the people you brought up out of Egypt, and go up to the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, saying, I will give it to your descendants. 2 I will send an angel before you and drive out the Canaanites, Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. 3 Go up to the land flowing with milk and honey. But I will not go with you, because you are a stiff-necked people and I might destroy you on the way. 4 When the people heard these distressing words, they began to mourn and no one put on any ornaments. 5 For the Lord had said to Moses, Tell the Israelites, You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I might destroy you. Now take off your ornaments and I will decide what to do with you. 6 So the Israelites stripped off their ornaments at Mount Horeb. 7 Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the tent of meeting. Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. 8 And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. Week 5 because of Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross giving us direct access to God. Introduction: God s promises are beyond our comprehension, and not bound by our desires or ideas of timing and priority. God delivers on what he says, but in his own time and way. We far too easily are distracted, settled, and satisfied with lesser things. But, God has called us for more more life, more substance, more depth, and more goodness. We can t remove that call by seeking lesser things, because God is greater than our downfalls, but he desires us to listen and follow him into all that he has for us in this life and in this place. Starter Questions: When have you been so impatient that you took matters into your own hands? How did that turn out? Have you in some way settled for something less than you hoped for, due to timing, resources, options, or some other reason? What was that thing, why did you settle, and what did you hope for instead? In your own words, what does it mean to be called to something, whether by God or someone else? How would you describe it? Opening Prayer: Leader, ask God to be present, to open hearts and eyes to where we ve settled for lesser things than what God has for us, or taken matters into our own hands; ask for the Holy Spirit to speak and move in his own way and own timing; pray for greater trust and faith. Called 40

41 9 As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. 10 Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent. 11 The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Then Moses would return to the camp, but his young aide Joshua son of Nun did not leave the tent. 12 Moses said to the Lord, You have been telling me, Lead these people, but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said, I know you by name and you have found favor with me. 13 If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you. Remember that this nation is your people. 14 The Lord replied, My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. 15 Then Moses said to him, If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth? 17 And the Lord said to Moses, I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name. Week 5 Scripture: We ll be reading this chapter as we go. Read: Exodus 33:1-6 (request a group member to read these verses aloud) Discussion Questions: When reading these words, we must keep in mind that Moses has very recently returned from Mount Sinai with God s Commandments to a people who were unable to be patient for God to speak and act, and instead were giving themselves over to an idol, a golden calf, and claiming it to be God. What strikes you about what God says in these verses? - It may be his tone, the way he calls them stiffnecked and that he may destroy them if he goes with them, it may be that they are still set to receive the blessing God promised them In all that we do, in all that we are, regardless of our own choices and in spite of our impatience, we are called to receive blessing. What do you think this says about God? - he s more committed to us than we are to him; he honors his word The land flowing with milk and honey was the promised land, the land that God called them out of Egypt toward, the promise of freedom in every way they could imagine. We all have a hope like this. It may lie dormant in our hearts because we ve let it go long ago. We ve chosen lesser things, easier things, quicker things Called 41

42 18 Then Moses said, Now show me your glory. 19 And the Lord said, I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. 20 But, he said, you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live. 21 Then the Lord said, There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock.22 When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen. in its place. We ve been discouraged and let down so many times that we ve given up on this hope, this freedom, this blessing. Week 5 Take a moment and ponder this. What is the hope that may lie dormant deep inside of you? What is it that you desire to receive? Could God still be calling you to receive that blessing, to go into that land? - allow people to share thoughts. God will give us the desires of our hearts when they are aligned with his, although it may not look the way we initially thought. The blessing is meant to be received. What does this mean? What is the significance or receiving versus achieving? - Trust over control; given and not earned; focus is more on the giver than the receiver Read: Exodus 33:7-11 (request a group member to read these verses aloud) Try to picture this scene in your mind s eye. What do you notice? How do you feel? Is there anything you can compare it to, that it reminds you of? - corporate worship, worship service, church, ritual, liturgy It s very easy to make the connection to our church services today. We worship, all facing a particular direction, and we anticipate God speaking to us through that time, either directly through the message or music or indirectly through an experience of some kind. This is what the Israelites were anticipating in the days of tents. Called 42

43 Week 5 There are many things interesting about this description, including a lack of ornamental details or symbolic gestures. Scholars point out that it s quite a simple tent with no ark or altar. It s purely and simply a meeting place between Moses and God. Others, in their own tents, were surely also not ornate and elaborate, but normal, full of the daily living kind of stuff. These are the places where worship occurred, simultaneously, between all of the people of God, and the place where God met with Moses, as it says, as one speaks to a friend. Where do you feel most at home when you worship God? - In your own home, in your car, with friends, in small group, at church, in a particular chair or room. (As a response to God moving and being present with them, the people, in their own homes and places of normal, daily living, acted together in anticipatory worship for what God would do and say.) What would God be ca!ing us to in this picture? What is his invitation? - communal worship, worship in our every day lives, unity with others, singular focus on him. - We are called to receive fellowship with God and others. Unlike in Moses day, we don t need to pitch a tent and wait for God to come and speak to the holy priests. We are the holy priests (1 Peter 2:9) because of Christ, his Called 43

44 Week 5 sacrifice and the gift of his Holy Spirit within us. God now does not only speak to special prophets but all of us face-to-face, as one speaks to a friend. The veil has been torn between us and God, the door has been opened, and we are able to enter into fellowship with God directly. We are called to receive this gift together, to worship with one another, bringing our truest and most normal selves to meet with him. Can we continue reading through the end of our section? Read: Exodus 33:12-23 (request a group member to read these verses aloud) How often are you this honest with God? Do you Tips: Praying for each other in pairs is strongly encouraged, especially if there are more sensitive places that people desire a radical in-breaking of the Kingdom of God. typically speak to him the way you would to a friend, as he says we are to do? How would you feel if you did? Or how do you feel when you try? - Allow for multiple answers and discussion. Many of us have ingrained practices of prayer from our times as children at the dinner table ( God is great, God is good, and we thank him for our food ), in church reading scripted prayers, or praying for our wants or needs at the time. All of these things are good and necessary and helpful, but they may not encourage us to be raw and honest before God as Moses shows us in these verses. We don t always feel comfortable doing this. Some of us do, and others are envious, but we are all called to this depth. What would it take for you to be this way with God? (allow for multiple answers but be sensitive if someone feels uncomfortable.) We are called to receive personal intimacy with God. Called 44

45 Week 5 Moses is very heartfelt and direct with God, clearly laying out his requests before God and declaring that God s presence is the one thing needed. How does God react to Moses honesty and ability to shoot straight with him? - I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name. Do you believe this? Do you believe that God is saying this to you right now? - allow for multiple answers. Hebrews 10 (vs ) tells us that we now have the confidence to enter the places once only Moses dared enter because of the blood of Jesus, with hope and freedom, trusting that he who makes promises is faithful to keep them all. We can very easily overcomplicate what it means to be called by God. Although it may be very specific in its form, unique for each of us, we are all called first and foremost to a personal intimacy with God. Jesus, to each of his disciples, called them by saying follow me long before he commissioned them to any work or ministry or miracle. The more intimacy we can have with our loving God who is pleased with us, the more capacity we have to receive. Do you believe God is pleased with you and knows you by name? What allows you to feel this? What confirms it? We talked in the beginning about how God is calling his people to receive the blessing he promised them even Called 45

46 Week 5 though they deliberately disobeyed and were impatient with his timing. You see, God is more committed to us than we are to him, and even when we are unfaithful he remains faithful (2 Timothy 2:13). We are called to receive, not earn, and what a gracious gift that truth is, for we could never earn it if we tried. Ministry Time Application Please thoughtfully choose one of the two options below based on what would be most effective and helpful for your group. Option 1 - Take time to sit in the presence of God as a group for a quiet 3-5 minutes. Before you begin this time, preface it with how God still is active, speaking and impressing our hearts today. I believe God could really be desiring to speak to some of the members of your group during this session about how he is pleased with them, knows them, and is calling them more to himself. But, simply pray and invite the Holy Spirit to engage with each person in the group however he sees fit. After the few minutes of silence, request members of the group to share their experience, thoughts, and what God may be saying or doing in them. Option 2 - Break down into smaller groups of 2-3 to share what hopes and dreams each person may have that they feel they may have let go of but still ache for. Listen attentively, be curious with one another, and see what God may want to say to each of the dreams and hopes Called 46

47 Week 5 and aches in each heart. Remember, God is faithful to fulfill all his promises to us, and gives us the truest desires of our hearts when they are aligned with his. Called 47

48 Week 5 Week 6 Called 48

49 Week 6 Called to Pass it On Deuteronomy 34 Tip: These questions are meant to get the group thinking and to spark discussion, so don t rush through them or attempt to get a solid answer for each one. Don t be afraid to wait for a while to see who speaks, and remember, there are no wrong opinions. Before the Lesson: The book of Deuteronomy is somewhat of a recap of Exodus, Leviticus, and parts of Numbers. The name Deuteronomy comes from the Greek translation meaning 2nd Law or the second giving of the law. In many ways, Deuteronomy serves as a summation of how Moses viewed God s interaction with Israel. Moses explained what life would be like for the people if they remained faithful or if they strayed. The first four chapters highlight the chief events from their past. Chapters 5-26 restate most of the law given at Mt. Sinai (Mt. Horeb) with added blessings and curses based on how well the people adhere to God s commands. Chapters expand on the national effects of Called 49

50 Week 6 faithfulness to God s covenant and conversely rebellion against God s covenant. Finally, chapters finish the book with a song, a sequence of blessings for each tribe of Israel, and the death of Moses. Echos from their past provide music for their future with God in the new land. The contents of the book were said to have been spoken (and sung) aloud to the people in the plains of Moab, East of Canaan. Introduction: Moses is said to be a hundred and twenty years old at this point in the story. He has been leading the people for the better part of 80 years. There have been highs and lows throughout his tenure as leader to be sure. While in the desert, Moses disobeyed God s command in how to provide water for the people. As a result, Moses would not make the final traverse into the promised land. He would take his final look at the promised land from Mt. Nebo (in Moab, East of Canaan). The conclusion of Moses life is capped by his installation of Joshua as the people s new leader. This comes after his final words of advice directly given to the people in Deuteronomy 32:46-47, Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess. Starter Questions: What jobs/career have you left well? What jobs have you left with regret? What did you do to leave well? Called 50

51 Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the Lord showed him the whole land from Gilead to Dan, 2 all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean Sea, 3 the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar. 4 Then the Lord said to him, This is the land I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob when I said, I will give it to your descendants. I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over into it. 5 And Moses the servant of the Lord died there in Moab, as the Lord had said. 6 He buried him[a] in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is. 7 Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak nor his strength gone. 8 The Israelites grieved for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the time of weeping and mourning was over. 9 Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit[b] of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses. Week 6 What things did you do or leave undone that made you regret how you left? What do you think of when you hear the word, legacy? Opening Prayer: Lord thank you for the opportunity to come together in and learn from the Bible. Lord let each person here be open to your Spirit, filled with your love and filled with love for each other. Let us rejoice in knowing your love for us never changes, it is the same today as it was yesterday and forever will be. Amen. Scripture: This evening we are going to read Deuteronomy chapter 34. Would someone volunteer to read verses 1 through 12? (Thank them for reading.) Could someone read it in a different translation to get a different feel? (Thank them for reading.) Discussion Questions: The first four verses illustrate a visual survey of the promised land. If Moses was facing North on the top of Mt. Nebo, then moving counter clockwise he would see each region that was to be divided up amongst the twelve tribes under his care these past 80 years. Having this elevated view must have been beautiful and sobering for the old man. The future the people had been longing for was before his very eyes, yet just beyond his reach. Have you ever taken time to have a birds-eyeview of your life? What are ways that we can Called 51

52 10 Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 11 who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. 12 For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel. Numbers 20:2-12 Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. 3 They quarreled with Moses and said, If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! 4 Why did you bring the Lord s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here?5 Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink! 6 Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. 7 The Lord said to Moses, 8 Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink. Week 6 take a survey of where we are headed? Who can help us with doing this? - Journaling often is advantageous in trying to gain perspective about where we are headed in life. It can help us formulate what we truly believe and what we truly want. It is also helpful to gain the counsel of trusted friends/family who have your best interest at heart. Trusted usually means someone who wants good for you, but is willing to correct you or challenge you if your wrong. Prayer and solitude is another great way of gaining perspective about where you are and where you are headed. God still speaks today and can give you guidance. The community of believers can help you test what you hear or even hear on your behalf. Before continuing in our passage, can someone read Numbers 20:2-12? This will give us a bit of context for the next section. (Have someone read the passage.) What is Moses disposition in the passage when he strikes the rock twice? - He is seemingly frustrated, maybe angry, certainly upset. God did not seem frustrated or angry despite the people s complaining and dramatic grumbling. Moses allowed their grumbling to effect how he followed God. Called 52

53 9 So Moses took the staff from the Lord s presence, just as he commanded him.10 He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock? 11 Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. 12 But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them. Week 6 Have you ever done a task or carried out instructions in a negative mood? What effects does that have on you? On the people around you? - Accept all answers. Highlight an example from your own life or reiterate an example that someone shared. While we may think God s punishment a bit harsh, the fact remains that Moses disobeyed what was explicitly asked of him. What conclusions can you draw from how God expects Moses to respond vs his expectations of the people? - Accept all answers, but highlight that God often has higher standards for leaders. He has higher standards for leaders, teachers, pastors, etc. If they are not able to follow, then they will have difficultly leading others to follow. A leader cannot lead where they have not been obedient. The first 8 verses of our passage from Deuteronomy conclude with Moses death and the people grieving. We can learn a lot from what is not explicitly said, but implied from the text. What does this passage tell us about Moses limitations as a leader and as a human being? - Moses is limited by how long he will live. We have a limited amount of time here on earth and will never accomplish everything we wish or desire. There will Called 53

54 Week 6 be things we leave undone and things we won t be able to fulfill. Moses is also limited in his skills as a leader. This passage highlights that he is an imperfect man who has to face consequences just like everyone else. We may also infer that human beings will not remember everything that is said/written from their leader. Humans require flesh and blood as a part of following. We can t be that for our children, our families, our churches, etc. Part of Moses calling was to ensure the people had someone to look to for the future. For those who are familiar with who Joshua is, why is he a great candidate to take up the responsibility of leader? If you aren t too familiar with Joshua, what qualities would you look for in someone to take over a great task like leadership? What character traits are important when looking to pass things along? - Joshua was familiar with the people, had led alongside Moses, was faithful to the Lord when others pressured him not to be, was someone who took action when it was required, was a truth teller, etc. Allow people to explain what characteristics are important when handing over leadership (humility, openness, integrity, etc.). There are many ways to approach leadership. Recognizing your limits, knowing you will not be perfect, taking time to gain perspective regarding Called 54

55 Week 6 your future, and having someone ready to take over for you when you re gone are certainly great places to start. There is one final piece which will serve us well when we are called to pass on the best of ourselves to the next generation. What do the concluding verses of the book of Deuteronomy beckon the reader to do when they are short of faith? - To go back, to remember what God has done in the past, to remember how he has worked wonders in the life of Israel. What are some things from your past that encourage you and build your faith when you recall them and tell them to others? Could a few of us share briefly a story or two? - Allow people to share. How can we be a small group that is good at passing our faith, our friendship, our best to those who come after us? - Accept all answers. Consider serving with our kids, students, or twenty-something ministries. Consider investing in One- Child, One-Community. Consider volunteering in our Community Center after school programs or the summer Zone Program. We know that both good and bad can be passed on to those who come after us. Parents pass on good to their kids, but also inevitably pass on dysfunctions and negative traits as well. Knowing Called 55

56 Week 6 we won t be perfect, we are still called to pass on faith and fellowship to others. What brings you confidence in passing on faith, friendship, and fellowship to others? - Accept all answers. What things do you want to address in your life so that they are not passed on? What things are you confident you should pass on? - Accept all answers. Ministry Time Application Please thoughtfully choose one of the two options below based on what would be most effective and helpful for your group. Option 1: As a group pray, discuss, and make a plan as to how you might engage in passing on faith, friendship, fellowship to VC Twenty, VC Students, or VC Kids. Option 2: Take some time to pair up and pray about patterns you want to break and patterns you hope to pass on to others. This may be more effective if you take time to silently wait on the Lord and ask him to reveal destructive patterns you re unaware of. The good patterns should be celebrated and shared with each other! Called 56

57 Week 6 Summary Ministry Called 57

58 Ministry Time Series: Called Read through all of the Ministry Time ideas for each week before you begin teaching through the series. This will help you plan and pray for stronger impact! Blessings! Week 1 Based on the people and overall feel of your group, select which option you feel fits best. Option 1: Take a few moments and have each person write out examples of when God may have been trying to get their attention, but they were too distracted. Have them prepare to confess this to the Lord, receive his forgiveness and focus their attention on what he may want to do in that situation now. Option 2: Engage in hearing from the Lord together. Request everyone to put down bibles, journals, phones, etc. and find a comfortable position. Give the disclaimer about how we believe God sti! speaks and moves today, and that by slowing down and resting for a few moments, we desire to open ourselves to experience the Holy Spirit in that way. Pray and ask God to come close, ask the Holy Spirit to speak to each person individually, especially about what was discussed in the lesson, and ask for peace and receptivity in each person. Take about 2-3 minutes Called 58