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
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!
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