Sunday, March 30, 2014

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

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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