Week 3, Chapter 6: Wandering

Associated Scripture includes Numbers 10-14; 20-21; 25; 27; Deuteronomy 1-2; 4; 6; 8-9; 29-32; 34

Wandering

1.       What do you think was the root cause of most of the Israelites’ problems? Why?

Their lack of faith for the Lord.  There were so many struggles while in that desert.  Food.  Water.  But did they not remember where they just were??  -as Slaves.  Even though it seemed like an awful place; they forgot they God brought them there to make their lives better. Is this something that we do today as well? Do we complain in the midst of all the blessings we receive? Even in the times of trial are we patient? Do we sound like the Israelite’s?

2.       How did God respond to the people’s lack of faith?  With patience. He reminded them continuously of what He did for them in Egypt. He reminded them of how blessed they were. He also showed those whose hearts were not true the power of His wrath. When they complained of hardship—he sent a fire to consume them.  When they complained of not having enough meat to eat—he gave them so much meat that they would become sick. 

3.       Why is God so radically opposed to sin?  Because God is just that, God.  He is holy.  He is perfect. How could he not be opposed to evil?

4.       What do you learn from Moses’ leadership throughout this difficult period?  How did he display frustration and faith?  Moses was chosen as a Leader because God knew he could be a Leader.  Whenever Moses faced a difficult challenge, he did just as he should—he pleaded and prayed with God.  He was the prime example of what all others should do.  Think about that for a moment…as a Leader, you must be that prime example.  Moses was just that.  He kept his faith.  He believed the Lord would see him through and Yes, God did.

We also must see the frustration that Moses exhibited. While he was sent as the intermediary between God and the people, he failed to be perfect. He was not allowed to enter the Promised Land because of his disobedience. Again man fails the Lord. We can look at this in two separate lights. First, Moses continued to serve the Lord despite his own failings as a leader. He found favor with God by walking faithfully. Second, we see again the need for the Messiah. Moses was unable to lead these people away from sin against God. He was unable to achieve perfection even though he loved God with all of his heart.

5.       Have you ever felt as if you were “wandering in the wilderness”—spiritually or emotionally?  Explain.  This is a personal question.  But, I think we have all felt this way at one time or another.  Sometimes in a period of the unknown of what is to become, I feel this way.  What do I do Lord?  I am so worried?  How should I prepare for the worse?  Yet, keep that constant contact with Him, rest in His presence, cry out to Him for help and you will find he is there go guide you.

6.       How can having faith in what God has promised help you in difficult times?  Again personal.  We must just do that though.  So many times, I have felt like I was in control of everything.  Then God made me a parent.  HE stated to me, “You will guide this person.”  Wow, I felt like a blind man in the dark trying to find my toothbrush.  Do you know what I mean??  I want so badly to be the very best parent, wife, boss, employee, I can be. But ultimately I just need to pray to HIM to be lead the way.  Just when I think I am in control, I am reminded that I am not.  And then I pray to Him for understanding, patience, courage, and the will to get through it. Lay the need for self-reliance at the foot of the cross. Ask God to show you His perfect way. The lord’s prayer states “Thy will be done”, as his will is perfect why would you pray any other way?

Video Discussion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE1iDozGMek

1.       Describe some of the ways that God might help us recalculate our life direction and get back on track when we are wandering?  A lot of these are personal.  I really feel though that God puts road blocks up when you less expect it to get you back on track.   Some people hit their “rock bottom” to be reminded to turn to the creator. The one who sent his only son to die for you.  Sometimes, just sometimes, you realize that everything truly happens for a reason.  Right??

2.       All through this chapter of The Story God disciplines the people (sometimes quite strongly) to get them back on course.  What are the values of being disciplined by one who loves us and wants the best for us?  You understand and know that His correction comes from a place of love.  I know that if my parents had not disciplined me, I would not be the woman I am today.  My parents taught me how to be trust worthy, respected, dependable, etc.  They made me who I am.  I am so sad for those who do not have the parents that I did.  However, if I think about that…and the fact that God has a plan for EVERYONE, then I should not feel sad.

3.       Randy mentioned that there were no less than ten outbreaks of “juvenile behavior” by the people of Israel during their desert wanderings.  How can Christians today be like this—complaining, grumbling, and rebelling against God’s leading and the plan? 

Give an example of how you can fall into this pattern if you are not careful.   Wow, I’m about to get personal here.  But, I have this acquaintance who may be just that.  This person never seems happy.  Have you ever noticed that negativity that can consume you.  You are fine until you go near that person?  I even know one who no matter what I do, I still have a hard time smiling when with them.  It is so very easy for this to happen if you hang out with non-Christians.  Their actions can affect yours.

4.       Ten of the men who spied out the land let their minds and eyes focus on the obstacles (Numbers 13:26-33).  What are ways we can be frozen by fear and fixate on the obstacles rather than the God who can help us overcome them?

 This can be a call to leadership, parenthood, marriage, being single, starting a new job, even getting involved in church. Isn’t that easy sometimes?  To come up with excuses not to participate, of reasons to fear, to doubt? Rather than fixating on our fears, we should go to God and ask him for help! Trust that the God of Jacob can still move those mountains.

5.       How have you seen the sins of one generation poison and damage those who came after them?  And conversely, how have you seen good choices and spiritual maturity be passed on as a blessing to the next generation?  I’m going to pull one that was brought to my attention more recently.  I was soon brought before a situation during a yearlong commitment that there was a generation difference between attendees.  You see, I had committed to a yearlong Leadership school by UGA’s school of Public Health (go Dawgs!!)  This Academy was tough.  The professors mad me bear my soul with strangers!!!  After our third session, we had a guest professor for the half day(she was very well accredited as it relates to social racism) and she was giving a Leadership Presentation with that revolved around noose cases by major corporations.  The older half of the “students” who were black were in total support with what was being said.  But the younger generation was almost appalled at what was being said.  My generation of folks, as I could tell, was ready to move forward with racism.  It is time to move past this.  Let’s remember but not dwell on the fact that this happened.  Let’s know but only to empower…not to dwell.  In that moment, many of my colleagues felt so very defeated.  Were we white?  Yes.  What did we notice?  That the black “students” of our own generation seemed to bond with this professor.  None of them seemed taken-aback by what was presented.  I will forever let this be a memory in my mind.  The fact that even though we all age—some things stay damaged.  Can we all NOT move forward with that hatred to only feel more loved as a human race??    I felt my generation was ready for this.  We even spoke of this in after-hours…that is how much it touched each of us.  How have I seen a generation maturity be passed on?  Okay, this is personal too but it would have to be my Granny-Buff.  She is the older generation who I want to be….she is nonjudgmental, and the reflection of a Christian that I strive to be.  I will never forget the time she visited my house in Gray.  They saw our Carboys that we use to brew beer.  Rather than preach to me—she asked me what it was and just smiled.  I remember Jerime asking PawPaw if he wanted to try a homebrew and PawPaw Buff saying—“no, I don’t recon I could handle that.”  How sweet????  They could have told us how un-Christian it was to brew—but I think deep down they knew our heart.  Instead, they are there to guide and love us--

6.       What is one way you are seeking to pass on a healthy and positive legacy to the next generation?  Personal …  Michelle:  So happy that her daughter just accepted Jesus into her life and she hopes her daughter sees Christ in her in her everyday life.  That is the Mom she strives to be.

7.       Randy talked about the vision God has for his children to be responsive to his leading.  When God says to go left or right, we turn and go.  When he says stop, we hit the brakes.  What kinds of things can get in the way of us responding to God’s clear direction?  I think it is so easy to want to take a detour when God has our path set before us.  When we take that detour and it doesn’t work out, God is there to help us get back on track.  Recalculating J

8.       What will help us hear and respond more quickly when the Lord is seeking to lead us?  What is one area of your life where you would like to be more responsive to God’s leading and how can your group members support you in this?  For all of those who love God just remember this…God is able to turn things around!  He will turn them around into something good.

9.       Read Movement 1 of The Story.  How have you experienced God pursuing you and seeking to build a strong relationship with you?  Movement 1 states this: In the upper story, God creates the Lower Story.  His vision is to come down and be with us in a beautiful garden. The first two people reject God’s vision and are escorted from paradise.  Their decision introduces sin into the human race and keeps us from community from God.  At this moment God gives a promise and launches a plan to get us back.  The rest of the Bible is God’s Story of how he kept that promise and made it possible for us to enter a loving relationship with him.  This is almost like dejavu!  He does just as is described in Movement 1.  He comes back down to worship with them in an attempt to enter that loving relationship.  He is there for us!!!  Always!

Week 3, Chapter 5: New Commands and a New Covenant

Associated Scripture includes Exodus 19-20; 24-25; 32-34; 40

First of all I must say that Natalie did a GREAT job of her turn of teaching this session.   You wouldn’t have known if she was nervous!  She really did great.

New Commands and a New Covenant

1)      How were the people to prepare themselves to meet with God? 

They had to physically prepare in ways to make them as clean as holy as they could be on earth.  They were to wash their clothes and abstain from sexual relations. This allowed them to prepare their heart and minds to come into the Lord’s presence. Think about how we prepare ourselves today. Do we approach entering the Lord’s presence with the reverence he deserves? What does our morning look like on Sunday? Do you rush around trying to get to the church on time? Are you humbled by the fact that you are entering God’s house? Is your own heart fully humbled and prepared to worship our Savior?

2)      What does this story of the giving of these new commands tell you about the character of God? 

God is holy.  These rules were set so that you might be the image bearer of God. In order to enter his presence, the Israelites had to cleanse themselves of sin. They had to turn away from the worship of idols and the practices learned while living in Egypt.

3)      What was the purpose of the Ten Commandments? 

These were God’s rules to live by.  The first four were how we were to treat God and the next six rules were how we were to treat one another.  These rules were set so that we could reflect God’s image. Understand also that God knew we would not be able to live by these rules. He knew that we would fail him. Our incapability to live in this manner shows again how much we need the grace given through Christ’s sacrifice.

4)      How can God be both the merciful forgiver of sin and the punisher of the guilty? 

He is sovereign.  He has complete power and authority. He knows the hearts of every soul ever created and the souls of those who ever will be created. He knows when we truly repent of our wicked ways. He knows who has a heart that loves Him, that fears His wrath. In Genesis 14:40-42  We see where the Israelites have sinned against God again. We see that after Moses tell them of God’s anger; they feel grief and decide to follow Him. Moses tells them, “Do not go up into the land now. You will only be crushed by your enemies because the Lord is not with you.”  You see, they did not receive the Lord’s forgiveness because they did not have a repentant heart. God did not confuse their admission of guilt with repentance.

Have you ever know you were guilty of sin and asked for forgiveness knowing full well you would commit that action again? Guess what, God knew that as well.

Think of God as our parents.  For those of us who are parents, we must be able to forgive our children for the mistakes they make and punish them when necessary.  God knows the heart of each person.  He knows when it is time to forgive or time to punish.  He is all things.  He knows our heart!  He knows when you truly repent for your sins!

5)      The Israelites became impatient and finally made a golden idol in the shape of a calf for themselves.  What are some false god/idols worshiped in our society today? 

This could be anything.  It could be anything that you put before God.  Computer time, habits, your children, your husband, work, etc.  It can also be self-advancement, worship of society’s views of who you are, your achievements. This is both what you prioritize in front of the Lord and whom you seek validation from.  Do you make time for the Lord? Do you actively seek Him in ALL things? Do you find ways to actively SERVE HIM? When you serve are you seeking glory for yourself or for the kingdom of God? Are you actively trying to win souls for Christ? Are you scared to speak of your faith? Sometimes I think we are so afraid we will offend others that we refrain from showing our Christianity.  Our county was founded on Christianity.  Crazy huh?

6)      The Lord spoke to Moses “as one speaks to a friend.” What steps can you take to gain a deeper understanding of who God is? 

We must keep an open dialog with God.  Our group spoke of the fact that many times we can forget God except when we need something.  What happens if the only time you call a friend is when you need something??  That friend would probably hesitate to pick up the phone.  God would never do that but we really need to keep God in our lives daily.  Talk with him every day and speak to him as if he is our very best friend. 

Ask yourself this… When you spend time with the Lord in study, prayer, fellowship with others, do you listen for His direction from the experience? Are you having a one sided conversation with Him? Are you actively seeking ways to be still in His presence?

Video Discussion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP90flmTWpQ

1.       If we see God a s a cosmic killjoy just waiting for people to do something wrong so he can catch and punish them, how will this impact our relationship with him? 

We would probably not see him as a loving God.  It would probably make knowing God a more negative experience.  We might never feel good enough—so why would we even try to be a Christian?  If we thought of following God’s rules as a killjoy this would play into Satan’s plan—which all started with the Garden of Eden when Eve took that first bite. The enemy wants is to doubt the heart of God toward us. Don’t give in to that!  If all God did was tell us what we were doing was wrong, we probably would never gain trust in the Lord.  Instead, God allows us to follow him; he allows us to sin; he allows us to repent; he loves us and acts as a parent.  He loves us no matter what and guides us along the way through study of His word, through prayer and even through times of trial.  Know that He is trying to help you lead a life of fulfillment and peace.

2.       The Ten Commandments are the basic “rules of the road” for how people are to relate to God and each other (Exodus 20.1-17; The Story, pp 61-62).  How would our lives and faith improve if we followed these commands (in action and in spirit)?  What can we do to embrace and follow these commands more fully? 

By doing this every day in spirit and action we are placing God first.  Things we can do to remind us that were suggested in the Group: Read the commandments every day.  Natalie gave her favorite Proverbs scripture 4:23.  Guard your heart above all things.  “Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.” (NKJ)

Just another side note on this… Remember that God’s grace is both instantaneous and continuous. Instantaneous in the fact that you receive it immediately. Continuous in the fact that you will need it for the rest of your life. You will fail at living the commandments ALL of the time. Have you ever heard someone say this: My spirit longs to be true but my flesh is weak? Know that when you ask and receive the gift offered by Christ, you ARE NOT FIXED. This is a daily walk, you will stumble. You can not expect spiritual maturity instantly. It is a walk. God expects you to grow daily. 

3.       Randy unpacked the reality that God is seeking to come down and connect with his people…with us!  He said that three things need to happen for God to draw near to us in the Lower Story and experience his presence.  Why is each of these so important?

a.       There must be rules to guide how people relate to God and to each other.  Matthew 22: 37-39 came to Natalie when answering this one.  It states: “Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.  On these two commandments hand all the Law and the Prophets.” (NKJ)  Think about this—for this is true.  If you love your neighbor as yourself, you will not break any of God’s laws!

b.      God will need a place to stay.  Exodus 25: 8-9 states: “And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them.  According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it.” (NKV).  God wanted to dwell with the people for the first time since the Garden of Eden. For the Israelite’s it was the tabernacle. Now we have been given the Holy Spirit to live in each of us daily. We don’t have to go to the tent of meeting. God lives in each of us daily!

c.       Sin must be atoned for:  Our sinful nature is what keeps us apart from God.  Just as the Israelites had to cleanse themselves before meeting, we must also.  For them, it was a very detailed and long process to atone for sin. This was God’s way of showing them how devastating the consequences of sin were. We see these consequences in the death of our perfect Jesus. Jesus paid the highest price to atone for our sin.We must repent of our sins in order for God to spend time with us. Come clean with the Lord.  We are the place where God dwells.  We are the tabernacle.  The church is not a building but WE are.

4.       God no longer dwells in tents or temples, he lives in us (Acts 7:48-50; 1 Corinthians 6:19).  How does recognizing that God dwells in us help connect his Upper Story to our Lower Story on a daily basis? 

He uses this so that he can have a relationship with us!  Not just a one sided dialogue of prayer, not just a set of rules to live by…A personal relationship. One that is unique to you and the Lord.  As you know, having a relationship with anyone takes work. Does God deserve the same amount of effort as you put into other relationships in your life? Or does He deserve infinitely more?

5.       God showed his love for people and his desire to connect the Upper and Lower Story by moving into their neighborhood.  He settled in, right in their midst.  God is still seeking to connect with us on a deeply personal level.  What are ways you experience the presence and care of God breaking into your daily life?

This is personal for each of you.  I try to begin my day by thinking of God and praying.  I will try my hand at reading the Ten Commandments!  I will use him every hour of the day at work and think of Him on my commute to home from work!  You don’t always have to enter into formal prayer in order to have a relationship with God. Jesus became our high priest. He is the intermediary between us and the Lord. Jesus also called God ABBA…which means father! Talk to the Lord as you would to a father. Talk to Him throughout the day, HE is waiting for you.

I know that it can be a difficult relationship to understand of you didn’t have the ideal father. But understand this, imagine what the perfect father would be to you. That is exactly what the Lord offers.

6.       The chapter of The Story and Randy’s lesson both reveal the third thing God had to do so that we could experience his presence in a personal way.  The biggest obstacle of all needed to be overcome…human sin.  Sacrifices needed to be made so that human wrongs could be cleansed and covered over (atoned for).  How does the sacrificial system found in The Story and the book of Leviticus pave the way for the final sacrifice that would wash away all sins forever (the death of Jesus on the cross)?  Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice for our sins.  The innocent blood of Jesus replaced those of innocent animals.  He died for our sins so that we could have the everlasting life.

7.       “Mad Cow Disease,” as Randy called it, was an example of people trying to invent their own religion, to create their own way to God.  How do people still do this today and how are the results just as disastrous?  Examples given were: the Coexist symbol on the back of cars; the Prosperity Gospel books, etc. Are you trying to place God in a mold that fits your image of Him so that you can live your life the way you want?

8.       God promised that his presence would be with the people and they would stand out in the world because of it.  This is still true today.  What are some ways Christians should stand out in our world?  Name one area of your life in which you sense God is calling you to look different to the world because he is with you.  My action should reflect God!  This is a personal question for each of you.  Do you remember the song Jesus Freak by DC Talk?  Nikki gave that example.  We all smiled when she gave it…the lyrics are: “What will people think when they hear that I'm a Jesus freak?  What will people do when they find that it's true. I don't really care if they label me a Jesus freak. There ain't no disguising the truth.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbB0QrBIs9k

Be proud of the fact that Christ died for you. Offer that same love and acceptance you have received from Him to others.

9.       Read movement 3 of The Story.  What is the big theme of this third movement?  Movement 3 is “Jesus left the upper Story to come down into our Lower Story to be with us and to provide the way for us to be made right with God.  Through faith in Christ’s work on the cross, we can now overturn Adam’s choice and have a personal relationship with God!

Week 2, Chapter 4: Deliverance

Read associated scripture: Exodus 1-7; 10-17

1.            What was significant about Moses’ birth? 

Moses was supposed to die.  As we read into The Story you find that long after Joseph and his generation died, a new King took power over Egypt.  He feared that the Israelites had become far too many in number and feared they would take over the Egyptians.  King Pharaoh gave an order to control the number of Israelites which stated all boys born to the Hebrews shall be killed.   One of the tribes of Levi became pregnant with a fine son.  She knew he should not die.  She hid him as long as she could and finally sent her son in a tarred basket rather than kill him.  The Pharaoh’s daughter found him, realized he was a Hebrew baby and helped raise him. 

2.            How did God display his concern and love for his people after hearing their cries and groaning? 

He saved them!!! God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  He was concerned in how they were being treated by the Egyptians.  God comes down to rescue the Hebrews from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them out of that land to a good and spacious land.  He tells Moses through that burning bush that he would uses Moses to save the Israelites!

3.            In what ways was Moses qualified to lead the people? In what ways did he feel he was not qualified? 

In many ways Moses was qualified to lead the people because he was an Israelite.  He was one of them even though he had been saved from death because he was Hebrew. He showed compassion for the Hebrew people when he found the Hebrew Slave being abused. He also Moses knew people like the Egyptians should not treat these slaves (the Hebrews) the way they had been treated.  Moses knew even Hebrews should not fight with Hebrews.  Although, Moses did not feel he was qualified because he had been accepted as an Egyptian.  Who was he, an adopted Egyptian, to lead the slaves/Israelites away from his own people??  Moses even argued with God.  He did not feel he was the qualified Leader the Lord needed to accomplish such a task. Yet Moses listened to the Lord. Although, he feared he would fail at this task the Lord asked of him, Moses ultimately trusted the will of God and said “Yes” to God.

4.            Have you ever felt unqualified or unable to do something, as Moses did? How did you handle it? 

This is personal for me.  I have felt very unqualified to do such a thing.  Several years ago, I was given the task of Interim Director shortly after the Director retired.  I accepted the task because I had worked in the office for years and seen this process.  Did I feel qualified?  Heck no!!!  Some of the Environmental Health Specialists I was advising had been there a life time before me.  I was 30 years old.  Many of the Environmentalists had been employed by the district twice the time I had worked there.  How did I do??  I did the best I could with the circumstances.  I looked to my supervisor.  Supervisor is just another term for leader!  I looked to that person for those tough situations I had never experienced firsthand.  Our leader is God!  We need to look to God like Moses did, and put all our trust in him.  If we trust in the Lord, even the hardest of tasks can be achieved—

Michelle-  For me, the Lord asked me to take up the daunting prospect of leading a bible study. This might sound like a simple request, but God knows my heart and knows that being used to spread His word comes with a fear of failure. I didn’t  spend the formative years of my life growing up in church, studying the bible, taking about my faith, or praying out loud. I was so fearful that I would fail Him, that I wouldn’t know the answer, wouldn’t be able to quote scripture, and would stumble when I tried to lead the group in prayer. The Lord was asking, and I was continuing to tell Him “No. I can’t…. You have the wrong girl. Maybe when I read the whole bible and study more I can handle it.” The thing is, He knew I could do it. I had to take a huge step of faith, trusting that God had confidence in me, and that He would provide the tools I needed to use me as a vessel. This step of faith brought me closer to Him and caused me to study His word more. I am learning so much more about who God is and what he intends for my life. It has made me realize that when God calls you to do something, saying “Yes” allows you the opportunity to feel His presence. There have been some growing pains along the way, but He has given me a conviction unlike any I have ever felt before. The Lord knows YOUR potential. More than that, He wants you to be a light for Him. Trust that.

5.            The Story notes several amazing miracles in the deliverance of the people from Egypt.  Do you believe God performs miracles today?  Why or why not? 

Wow, this is a personal question.  But, I KNOW God performs miracles today.  I don’t think they happen in the same way they did with Abraham or Moses…the level is just different and I think you know what I mean.  But yes, miracles happen every day.  Have you ever thought something similar to this: wow, if I had left when I wanted to, I might have been in that accident or…..

Michelle:  I absolutely believe that miracle happen every day.  We know that God is never changing. He is the same God today that he was in the time of Abraham. I think that miracles of this magnitude do happen, we just might not see them…or believe them. I really feel that we have become both desensitized and skeptical. If you spend some time on Google search, you will find stories of impossible miracles happening.  While we need to be careful, we also need to ask ourselves “Why not”? Is the God who never changes, the God who parted the Red Sea, who flooded the earth, who sent Christ to die for us, really incapable of anything? My answer is this…MY GOD IS CAPABLE. HE IS MIGHTY and HE CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS!!!

6.            What can you learn about the character of God from the story of the Israelites’ deliverance from slavery? 

God wants you to know HE is in control.  God is not a dictator from above or micro-managing you.  He wants you to learn through Him.  Often times I have to think that way as a Leader myself.  I am no Majesty by any means.  But, think about this…If I constantly have to tell them how to live their lives, are they learning??  God uses this same concept.  God wants us to appreciate the fact that we WANT to follow Him.  Does this make sense to you? 

Another thought….We also learn that God, the creator of the universe knows each of us by name! He hears our cries. He knows our suffering. He wants us to cry out to Him. He wants to be our portion in time of trouble. He wants us TO NEED HIM. While the Israelites’ suffered for MANY years before the Lord sent the deliverer in Moses, God still heard them. He heard each one of their cries.  What we need to realize is that God’s timing is perfect. He knows when the right time is to deliver us. Do you think that it would have turned out the same if Moses wasn’t the one to lead them? If you think about all of the complaining the Israelite’s did in the desert after 400 years of slavery, imagine what it would have sounded like after one day?!?! Trust that God’s timing is perfect. Remember that scripture in Jerimiah 29:11? “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Again, put your name in the “you”. HE IS TALKING TO YOU!  Just as he knew when the right time to deliver Israel was, he knows when the right time to deliver you is.

Think about this too. Has there ever been a time in human history where we felt like we needed Christ’s return more? Jesus told us that only the Father knows when it is time to return. Why? Because his timing is perfect.

DVD Session

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f2X_0fjj_b4

1.            Tell about a time you were minding your own business, going through you normal Lower Story life and God showed up, revealed himself or spoke to you in some surprising way.  …Personal thought…

2.            God is dramatically active in his people’s deliverance—he is engaged, he cares (Exodus 3:1-10; The Story, pp. 45-46).  Looking specifically at verses 7-10, what do you learn about God in the following areas:

What did God see, hear and feel?

What did God say he would do?

What did God call Moses to do?

We already went over this above in the Discussion Questions but God heard the Israelites cries; he felt their distress.  He called Moses to save them!  Moses had that connection with the Israelites to lead them out of the slavery!  Moses did not believe he was the right person for the job but God helped him every part of the way!

3.            How did Moses see himself and his abilities and how did God see him? 

Tell about a conversation you had with God that may have sounded something like the one Moses had in this passage.  This is personal for me but here is my situation.  As a mom, sometimes I feel I am not worthy of the job.  I question God in my ability.  I think to myself: I am not good enough; I am bad at this; I need help.  When I ask for God’s grace to help I suddenly feel enlightened—I feel like I get that assurance that I CAN do this. 

4.            While God saw Moses as the perfect person to face Pharaoh and speak the word of the Lord to the Leader of Egypt, Moses say himself as a political fugitive and a poor communicator who had no business facing the king.  Give examples of how God can see us one way and we can see ourselves very differently.  What can we do to increase our ability to see ourselves from God’s perspective? 

Do you know that when God sees us, he only sees us as BEAUTIFUL.  Only WE see our impurities.  We should all remember that we are the image bearers of God.  WE should spend our time on Earth reflecting our Savior’s image.  God gave each of us facets of our image such that we can serve him in that reflection of his image.  Remember, God put us here for a reason!  His reason!!!

5.            Randy suggested that the best thing we can do is to say yes to God, even when we do not feel adequate for the task ahead.  Tell about a time when you dared to say yes and followed God, even when you were afraid.  How did God show up and lead you.  …Personal reflection…

6.            God always was, is and will be; he calls himself “I AM,” the self-existent one.  How can embracing the reality that the God we worship the eternal “I AM” help you face the challenging moments of a normal day?

For me it is the ALMIGHTY pep talk.  HE is there.  HE is everything.  He makes the promise to us every day!!!!  HE knows we will falter.  He still loves us. He will be there to help us pick up the pieces, learn and grow stronger in him; stronger reflecting in him.

REST IN HIS PRESENCE!! Take time each day: morning, afternoon, night…whatever works…and really rest in His presence. 

7.            What is one area of your life where you find you tend to focus more on your limitation than God’s ability to work through you? 

Wow!  This is personal but don’t you find it so much easier to find your limitation than God’s ability to work through you???  Ask your friends to pray for you.  I found that if I told just one friend to pray for me (without the specifics) I felt much better than trying to get through the day.  Does this make sense?

8.            How is Passover an ancient sign pointing to the death of Jesus on the cross as the final Lamb of God who will take away the sins of the world?  (Exodus 12:1:-24) 

Think about the sacrifices Abraham, for example, gave to the Lord.  He was about to give his only son even but throughout time they were always making animal sacrifices.  That animal was innocent but sacrificed for the Lord.  Think about Passover. They slaughtered an innocent lamb, pure and free of any blemish. They took the lamb into their body (think about communion… The Lord ’s Supper).  It was by the blood of that lamb that they were saved from death. See the parallel?  Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice.

9.            Read movement 2 of The Story.  How does God unfold his story in this second movement and how does this connect with your story? 

Movement 2 focuses on God’s plan to get us back!  He did just that with the Israelites!  Now, how can each of us use that story for God to get us back.  For me?  I have always considered myself a Christian girl. Christian student. Christian friend.  Christian wife.  Christian employee.  Christian mom.  But for me, what about Christian self.  Wow!  I do my best to reflect in His image for others but what about MYSELF.  I am so thankful that Michelle, even though she knows my quirky nature, shyness, weirdness, -- still invited me to be a part of this Women’s Study.  This is for ME.  Not for anyone else but for me. Thank you!  With that I will do what I need for me so that I can reflect more and come closer to HIM.  So HE can get ME back.  I need that.

Prayer Requests from last Meeting on March 20, 2014.

Please add these people to your prayer list.  Please comment below if you have a prayer request.  Together in the Lord we can lift them up.

>> Kurtz Family - Loss of grandmother, Betty Kurtz
>>
>> Leah Dominy - Big Job interview with new company
>>
>> Adam & Hayley Mosely - Job in interview with new company with better schedule and hours
>>
>> Jones/Esary Family - Loss of Annie's grandfather, "Pappy"
>>
>> Amanda & McKenzie Martin (and Martin family) - peace and comfort in the loss of Adam
>>
>> Wanda Bell - cancer/hospice, peace and comfort for Wanda and family
>>
>> Nolan Blake & family - hospice called in, peace and comfort
>>
>> MeMe Brooks - buying a house / closer relationship with the Lord
>>
>> Sonny Foster - all the death he sees as coroner and stress behind job
>>
>> Marilyn Foster - Bronchitis / possible pneumonia
>>
>> Will Golden - May be deployed.  Pray for God's will and safety
>>

Thank you Natalie for sending this out.

Love,
Christine

Week 2, Chapter 3: From Slave to Deputy Pharaoh

From Slave to Deputy Pharaoh

Please read the associated Scripture: Genesis 37; 39; 41-18; 50

An Introduction: If you have brothers or sisters, share about the general temperament among your siblings while growing up in your home.

I’m sure you've had this discussion with your friends before.  Everyone’s has a different story.  For me, I was the oldest of four and there was a huge age gap between me and my last two sisters.  For me, I was probably jealous of them but at the same time there could have been jealousy for me—either way each of us has a different story in how we’re related to our siblings.  For me, I look at how my birth was positive in how I came into the world--I was the oldest of four!!!  When I was younger, it was really hard for me to appreciate the birth order.  This brings us into the Discussion Questions from the main book:

1. Why did Joseph’s brothers want to get rid of him? Earlier in “The Story, Session 2,” we learned about Jacob stealing his older brother’s birthright from Esau.   Well Jacob, years later, had 12 sons and the youngest (born of Rachel; the wife he worked for and loved first) became Jacob’s favorite.  His name was Joseph.  Jacob showed Joseph great favor, lavishing him with gifts.  This lead the rest of Jacob’s boys to resent their younger brother. Joseph also told his brothers of a “dream” he had; where all of them would bow down to him.  Their jealousy is why they wanted to get rid of him.
2. Why does God allow hurtful things to happen to people?  God allows hurtful things to happen because God has a bigger plan for them.  Hurtful things happen through our suffering because 1) He is with us through the suffering process, 2) There is a purpose for our suffering and 3) As we suffer, we are brought closer to God throughout this process.

Have you ever prayed for healing for yourself or someone else and felt like God didn’t answer? He hears your prayer and he will answer in His time and according to His plan. Sometimes the healing we seek will not be granted in this life. Sometimes the healing God has planned comes when we are in His kingdom. Trust that His will is perfect and that the struggle you are in has God’s purpose for your lives and the lives of others within it.

It is easy for us to look at Joseph’s story and realize that God had a plan for him. What we must remember is this: Joseph didn’t know what God’s plan was for his life when he was facing some 23 years of slavery. He didn’t know what would happen when Potiphar sent him to the jail when he was wrongly accused of trying to seduce Potiphar’s wife. He trusted the will of the Lord. While this doesn’t mean that we will trust perfectly, it simply means that when we have fear and doubt, we must lay these things at the foot of the cross. Jesus said in John 17:33: “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” He has overcome, and because of this he has deprived the world of the power to harm your soul. Because we belong to Him, he rejuvenates, protects, and comforts our souls.

 

3. What were the positive effects of Joseph’s being sold into slavery?  If you read the story and think about the Upper Story you will find that God allowed Joseph to be sold into slavery for HIS purpose. God knew the time of feast and famine would come to Egypt. He knew that without His servant in the right place at the right time, both Egypt and the Jews would perish. If Egypt perished, how would God deliver the Jews to the Promised Land? How would Christ be born of Abraham’s line if Jacob’s line perished? Ultimately Joseph’s brothers’ lives were saved when the famine of their homeland hit.  It was through their brother that they all survived.  
4. What does Joseph’s statement to his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good,” tell you about God?  Wow!  Read these words again!!!  This tells me that just because I may not know the reason, doesn’t mean God doesn’t know the plan!!  We really should trust His plan.  Each of us are human-- We are expected to doubt God from time to time but as we survive this journey on earth, remember we are to lay that doubt at the foot of the cross and cling to His promise of life everlasting. Trust his plan and remember we will get closer to Him as a result.
5. In what ways have you seen God work through the most bleak and hopeless situations to cause a greater good?  This is for you to answer.  Each of us have our own situation as an example to answer this question, and we should do our best to remember we can get through it if we trust in the Lord.  Do you remember the tornado that came through Lamar, Pike and Griffin?  I think as a community we come closer to God collectively and more openly than another other example more recently than 911…I remember riding down Highway 18 and noticing neighbors being there--helping each other.  I saw the remnants of that terrible disaster that just happened the night before.  I remember thanking God for not letting that affect me that way but I also prayed for them. In that instance, it was such a bleak and hopeless situation but through it, we helped each other, came closer as a community and I became closer to God.  I think it is sad that it takes an event like that to be so thankful for your blessings—but again, I know God let that happen for a reason.

Michelle: For me this is very personal. My father suffered a massive stroke in 2010. It was immediate and unexpected. He lost the function of half of his brain. He was paralyzed on one side of his body and did not utter another word for the remainder of his life. It was devastating not to be able to hear my father’s reassurances daily. I was used to them, used to his wisdom, and his constant affirmation. Aside from the devastating effects this had on his quality of life, I had to come to terms with the fact my father would die and I had to watch him suffer slowly until God took him home. I know that I am not the first person to endure this kind of struggle and I will not be the last. What I do know is that God used this struggle for His purpose in my life. It is because of my Father’s illness that I began to seek the Lord more fervently. I was hungry for His love and affirmation, His comfort and peace. Through this God has brought me closer to Him in a way I could have never imagined. He has told me that I am HIS, for all time. He has used me to bring the love of Christ to others and I now share a personal relationship with him instead of one that is a duty for me. None of these things would have happened had I not endured the storm and made a conscious decision to seek and trust God. I will not tell you the road was easy, I was wearier than I have ever been in my life, I doubted, was angry, frustrated and hurt. You see, the healing I prayed for didn’t come to my father on this side of heaven. It wasn’t easy to hear the Lord tell me “No” to what I was asking of him. What I take comfort in is this; God answered my prayer for healing. He gave my Daddy the ultimate healing. Daddy is in the presence of the Savior rejoicing and he will NEVER feel pain again.  My peace with his illness, the suffering and his death did not come immediately; I had to decide to lay my pain, my anger, my fear and doubt for God’s purpose at the cross. I had to ask him to take these things and be willing to let them go.  Let me tell you though, once I did… the freedom I have received is absolutely indescribable.

6. Why can God be trusted at all times?  We are living the Lower Story on earth to get to the upper story.  God is in control.  Remember, we should align our life with God and if we do so our story isn’t finished yet!

Video Session

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0VFxNHK_8w

DVD Discussion

1. From a divine perspective (Upper Story), he was in the best place.  How do you see God working in Joseph and showing blessing, even in the pain of these moments of his life?  The Lord was with him and made it the best place it could be.  The Lord provided for Joseph.  The struggles made him the man he became today.
2. In the darkest of times of Joseph’s life we read that “the Lord was with Joseph.”  How have you experienced the Lord being with you in the hard times of your life?  What are the signs that God is with us, even in the darkest places?  This is a personal question for you to answer.  It can be some of the smallest of things really.  Even sunshine streaking through the clouds to the end of a long, tough day for me…
3. Joseph waited two years in prison for someone to remember him and send help.  Tell about a time you waited for months or years on an answer from the Lord.  How did you make it through this long season of waiting?  …Personal thought…
4. God has an amazing ability to bring good out of life’s bad situations.  Think about a time with something hard and painful happened in your Lower Story, but later you saw God accomplish something wonderful in the Upper Story of his will.  …Personal thought…
5. At the end of Chapter 3 of The Story, Joseph was reunited with his brothers twenty-two years after they sold him off as a slave.  What strikes you about Joseph’s attitude toward his brothers and the way he treats them?  What does this teach us about the condition of his heart and the depth of his faith?  Wow, that really must have taken Joseph an EXTREME amount of faith.  He had all of that time to dwell on what his brothers had done to him…but instead he was ready to help them.  Joseph did something most of us fail to do. He aligned his life with the will of God. He trusted in God’s plan for his life and was able to recognize the purpose of his suffering.
6. Joseph could have retaliated and gotten revenge on his brothers for all the wrong they had done to him.  Instead, he provided for them and extended forgiveness.  What makes it so hard to forgive people who have intentionally wronged us?  What can we do to forgive, even when it is difficult?  I cannot really think of a time when somebody intentionally wronged me.  But, when something does happen where I have felt wronged, I have learned so much over the years that the best thing I can do is NOT take it personally.  Let God lead the way.  I try to remember that things happen for a reason and it was God’s way and a way for me to learn, grow stronger and be a better Christian because of it.  

We have all received the gift of Grace and Forgiveness from Jesus Christ. This is an instantaneous gift and one that continues to follow us. If we understand that we have done nothing to earn this, then we can realize that we do not deserve it, it is freely given. We also must understand that un-forgiveness does not punish the person who wronged us, it does not hold them in a prison. It holds us captive to the chains of bitterness and resentment. If we put these two truths together, we see that 1. As followers of Christ, we should offer that same forgiveness to others. In doing this we shine a light for Him, that they might know the love and acceptance of Jesus (that we have received and continue to receive daily) through our own actions. 2. Through forgiveness, we learn to depend on the Lord’s justice. We cut the ties of the enemy in our lives. We refuse to give Satan the power to control us, to affect our relationship with God and with others. We become a light for Christ instead of giving the enemy more hatred to destroy lives.

7. Charles Colson could say, “If I had not been caught and ended up in prison, I would never have become the man I am today.”  Joseph could say, “If my brothers had not turned on me, if Potiphar’s wife had not falsely accused me, I would have never become the king’s right-hand man.”  Describe how your life would be different if you had never faced a specific time of challenge and struggle.  Finish the statement:  If I had not _______, I would never have ______.  …Personal thought…
8. Romans 8:28 tells us, “In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  What is one situation in your life where you need to embrace and experience this truth?  Think about this: God is able to turn things around, for all who love God, into good.  Wow, that just makes me feel so good inside in out.  I feel like I should place this little note in front of my computer at work.  

9. Read movement 1 of The Story (p. 10).  How does God unfold his story in this first movement and how does this connect with your story?  Well for me that last sentence on page 10 does it for me… ”The rest of the Bible is God’s story of how he kept that promise (to get us back) and made it possible for us to enter a loving relationship with him.”  All I have to do is chose to follow Him.  He will see me through it!!!

Read this verse and place your name in the blanks.  Jesus prayed this for YOU before he died on the cross. This is HIS  promise to you and not just a blanket statement here. He intends this for you!

John 17:20-26

“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that _________will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may _______ be in us so that the world will believe you sent me.

22 “I have given ________ the glory you gave me, so _________ may be one as we are one. 23 I am in __________ and you are in me. May ___________experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love _________ as much as you love me. 24 Father, I want ___________ whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then __________ can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

25 “O righteous Father, the world doesn’t know you, but I do; and these disciples know you sent me. 26 I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them.”

Week 1, Chapter 2: God Builds a Nation

Chapter 2: God Builds a Nation

Hello Loves:  First of all, I'm so sorry this is behind.  It has been a rough month! The job has been ROUGH since my illness in January.  I will keep my head UP.   BUT, here you go.  Again, Michelle, thank you so much for editing and adding your comments.  Muah!  ~CBuff~

With this session you are to read the following associated scriptures: Genesis 12-13; 15-17; 21-22; 32-33; 35; Romans 4; Hebrews 11

Discussion Questions

1.            Abraham left his homeland and family to follow God.  What did God say his reward would be?

God said he would bless him with many offspring.  Abraham was already very old—far beyond child bearing years.  God said if he left his homeland, he would be blessed with many offspring and would build a nation.

Genesis 12:2-4 The LORD had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

2 “I will make you into a great nation,

    and I will bless you;

I will make your name great,

    and you will be a blessing.[a]

3 I will bless those who bless you,

    and whoever curses you I will curse;

and all peoples on earth

    will be blessed through you.”[b]

4 So Abram went, as the LORD had told him;

2.            What might God be asking you to give up to follow him? 

For me, I think this Study was my time to just step away from the everyday usual and make time to Study his word.  I had been praying about this off and on but when Michelle offered me to study with the Group I really felt the holy spirit tell me this was something I needed to do.  I would be giving up time for myself.  Time away from the few minutes I get with my family—but ultimately I know this will make me a better mother, wife, daughter, sister, boss and/or employee. 

3.            What made Abraham righteous in God’s sight?

The fact that Abraham kept his faith and still believed that he would bore a son even though he knew his body was “as good as dead.”

Michelle: Abraham followed the Lord. He left his home, his family, and all he knew. He trusted in what God promised him.  The Story tells us that “ By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”

Imagine packing your family, selling your house, quitting your job and leaving the only life you have known, leaving your security, your ability to provide for your family, and journeying to a place you have never been and don’t know the way too. What would you say if God asked you to do this? Would you go?  This is essentially what Abraham did. HE WAS FAITHFUL. He trusted the Lord to provide a way to survive.

How is this fact relevant to your life?

I think this is relevant to my life because no matter what I think, God will always answer my prayers—even though it may not be the answer I want and when I want it, it will be the answer.  We must be patient and trust in the Lord.  I used to ask, “why” did this or that happen but over the more recent years in my life, I now do my very best to trust in the Lord.  I say to myself EVERYTHING happens for a reason.  It is amazing to me that if I step back and review some of the whys in my life; I find there really was a reason!   It just wasn’t my time to know them.

Michelle:  God asks us daily to trust in Him. We can’t anticipate our entire life, can’t plan every detail. We must trust that the Father knows where HE is leading us and that HE knows why.  Jerimiah 29:11 tell us this 11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”. We know that God never changes. He is the same God today that He was in the time of Abraham. Knowing this, we know that His love never changes. Just as God provided a way for Abraham, He will provide a way for us. His love never fails.

4.            Why did God ask Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac?  What did Abraham and Isaac learn from this experience? 

God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son because he knew it would be a huge test of his faith.  They both learned that if they feared and obeyed the Lord He would provide.  Abraham fathered a nation, just as God promised. It is through his line that Christ descends. He lived to be 175 years old even though he was far too old to bear children.

Michelle: God asked Abraham to sacrifice his only son, the one he waited for. The one God promised would make him into a great nation.  Abraham followed, trusting the Lord so much that he believed God would raise Isaac from the dead. Can you imagine that kind of blind faith?  There is also another parallel here we need to consider. Part of God’s upper story. This story directly points to the coming of Christ. I believe this is God asking Abraham, would you trust me enough, love me and fear me enough, to sacrifice your only child? As we discussed last session, God knew that He would send His only son to die for our sins. In fact, the very hill where Abraham brought Isaac to be sacrificed is the same place Christ would be crucified.

5.            Because Jacob had shrewdly acquired Esau’s birthright and stolen their father’s blessing, Jacob feared his brother’s revenge.  How did Jacob prepare for is meeting with Esau?

Jacob prepared for Esau’s meeting by trying to give him presents and distract him with good things and hiding from him.  He was afraid of his brother and hoped the time, gifts and distance (hiding) would give him enough for his brother to forgive him. 

6.            What attitude did Jacob have when he wrestled with the “man” who Jacob eventually realized was actually God?

He continued to fight him.  He made himself fight with God until he asked for God’s blessing.  What we learned from this scripture is what Jacob learned.  Jacob had fought with God all this time, and all it took was a touch from God to bring him to his knees.  God taught Jacob how to respect and fear God such that he ASKED God for a blessing before he would surrender the fight.  All his life, Jacob had done wrong things (which would not be God’s wish) but in the fight, he chose to follow the Lord.  He learned how significant he was when compared to God’s power.

Video Discussion:  You may view this video session at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6iHbCvARkDM

Many of the people God called to follow him and do great things had excuses or reasons they though God should not use them.  What are some of the common excuses people still use today when they want to get out of following God’s leading for their life? 

Satan wants us to not follow God.  It is so easy to come up with excuses.  For me, it is listening to CNN.  Silly huh?  I have a whole one hour ten minute or so commute and I choose to listen to CNN.  It is an obsession.  Partly, if I didn’t I would not be up to date with politics, the world?  Heck, I’m a government employee…but how hard is it really for me to turn CNN off—and turn my Sirius radio to the Family Talk channel.  I find that when I do this, I am so much more positive for that day.  I’m sure you have your excuse, right??  Examples given during the study group were Facebook, or “I’m too busy,” or “I finally get time to myself and it’s MINE,” etc.

1.            When God called Abram to follow him, there was a clear sense of partnership.  God promised to do specific things and also called Abram to do his part (Genesis 12.1-5; The Story page 13).  What was God’s part and what was Abram’s part in this great adventure?

Abraham’s part was to trust. To follow the Lord and to be patient. God’s blessings for our lives come in His perfect timing. Not our own. We will see this continue to replay during our study. We may believe that we are ready for the blessing at the exact moment we ask. Remember this; God can see the whole picture, the beginning, middle and the end. He alone knows when the perfect time is to give you what He intends for your life. Trust Him.

2.            What do you learn about Abraham and Sarah’s faith from Hebrews 11:8-9 (a summary of The Story, pp. 13-20)?

Hebrews 11:8-10 (NLT)

8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God.

During this time, and through this scripture, we learn that Abraham and Sarah leave their home and completely have faith in the Lord.  They left home.  They did not know where they were going. They lived in tents.  They knew no one.  Yet, they kept faith that God would be there and take care of them and give them what he promised them.

3.            Tell us about an older person in your life that has been a model of faith and love for God. How have you seen their life affect the lives of others or yours?

Several examples were given in class but for me, I believe it was my Great Grandmother, Memmy.  She was definitely a model of faith and love for God.  She read scripture every night.  I lived with my Great Grandmother for about three or so years before my mom and dad married.  She never seemed to judge people.  She helped everyone.  But she kept her faith.  She turned to her bible every night.  Everyone could see the love and reflection of God in her.  Thinking of her faith did affect and still affects the woman I am still becoming.  During a tough time I think, what would Memmy do…and then, I smile.

4.            Abraham and Sarah were called by God and they followed him in faith.  Tell about a time when God called you to take a step of faith. How did you respond and how did that step of faith work out?

We all may have an answer to this.  I truly do believe, though, that if you keep your faith in God, he will certainly be there with you all of the way.  He will help you succeed but even if you do not succeed, he had a reason.  If you fail, he will be there.  And ultimately you will be stronger and closer to God because if this.  You have to take that leap of faith and know God will be there the entire step of the way.

Sarah did not think God was moving fast enough with the whole “nation building project.” So she decided to help God by giving her handmaid to Abraham to bear a child for her.  Give some examples of ways we jump ahead of God’s timing for our lives in an effort to “help” him. Tell about a time that God said, “Wait,” but you wanted to rush ahead.  Why is it so hard to be patient and wait on God’s will for our lives?

I think so many of us love the fact that we think we are in control of our lives.  It is hard to be patient.  The example that stood out with me during Study Session was the example that Natalie gave…she waited until she was ready to have a baby.  But then, even though she was “ready” she still had to wait until it was time.  When she finally gave up of being stressed out, God gave her the baby.

5.            Abraham and Sarah chose to follow God by faith and trust that he would build a nation through them—and he did.  What step of faith is God calling you to take now, but you are still waiting or even resisting?  What can you do to take a trust filled step and move forward in this area of your life?

You really need to think about this question, and answer it to yourself…pray about it.  Ask God to help you through this new step. 

6.            Read Movement 2 of The Story (p.11 of this participant’s guide).  What is the big theme of this second movement?

Movement 2: The Story of Israel (Genesis 12-Malachi)

God builds a brand new nation called Israel.  Through this nation, he will reveal his presence, power, and plan to get us back.  Every story of Israel will point to the first coming of Jesus—the One who will provide the way back to God. I think the big theme of this second movement is that no matter what you think your path is, your life has a purpose in God’s plan.  If you drift from his path or try to speed or help him with the path you think your life should have, God will always bring you back to the purpose of your existence!  We will constantly be shown his power too.