MOSES: Getting Through What You’re Going Through

We’re all on a journey. Everyone is going through something. It may be an illness, a job search, a messy divorce, infertility, bankruptcy, a season of loss, or a time of searching, doubting, or ______. Getting through what you’re going through is never easy. There’s no simple “5 steps to get there quickly” manual. What we do have is the story of a man, Moses, who led the nation of Israel from slavery to freedom. Their journey goes down in history as one of the greatest (and most grueling) road trips ever… one that we have much to learn from as we seek to get through what we’re going through. Week 1: October 8-9

Group Discussion Questions

1. What’s the biggest journey you’ve been on in the past 5 years (vacation, mission trip, new adventure, new job, big home project, life event, etc.)? Any surprises along the way?

2. For the next 8 weeks we’re going to be looking at one of the most amazing journeys ever— God’s people, the Israelites, and their journey from being slaves in Egypt to being free in their own Promised Land. Their journey began painfully. Read Exodus 1:6-22. Then Acts 7:18-19. List the misfortunes of God’s people.

3. As you think back at your life journey, have you had a “but then” (re-read Acts 7:18) turn for the worse? A “things were going great but then…” moment? Without going into great detail, please share with the group.

4. In the midst of the Israelites’ painful plight (described in Exodus 1), Exodus 2 reminds us that God was at work. Read Exodus 2:1-10. God was raising up a leader/deliverer to get them through what they were going through. Go back and slowly read through Exodus 2, noting especially vs. 5-10. What “signs” were evident that God was up to something?

5. As you think about getting through what you’re going through, it’s not always clear what, if anything, God is orchestrating behind the scenes. That’s where faith comes into play. It’s also where others in this kind of group setting can come alongside us and offer support. What’s one way the group can help/pray for you this week?

Moving Ahead: Read and reflect on Hebrews 11:1 “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Week 2: October 15-16

Group Discussion Questions

1. When you were growing up, what did you dream of being or accomplishing? What happened to that dream?

2. The guy we’re studying, Moses, could have his 120-year life summed up this way: He spent the first 40 years of his life thinking he was somebody, the second 40 years learning that he was a nobody, and the last 40 years seeing what God can do through a nobody who obediently trusts God. As you think of those 3 periods of Moses’ life, which do you relate to the most? Why?

3. To get a glimpse of Moses’ early years, read Acts 7:20-22. What did he have going for him?

4. Read Exodus 2:11-15. Groomed to be Israel’s deliverer, Moses fails out of the starting blocks and ends up fleeing to a wasteland called Midian. There, he spends 40 years tending sheep in obscurity/solitude. Have you had a Midian-like chapter in your life? A set back? If so, what did you learn from it?

5. Go back and re-read Exodus 2:12. What was Moses’ error here—which way didn’t he look? Moses took control. He did things his way. As Phil said in the message, “We make a mess of life and end up in Midian when we take control from God.” When are you most likely to do that?

Moving ahead: Read and reflect on Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Week 3: October 22-23

Group Discussion Questions

1. What would be the job you’d be least qualified for?

2. After spending 40 years on the bench living as his father-in-law’s sheep-herder, God speaks to Moses via a burning bush. Read Exodus 3:4-9. What was God’s message to Moses? Have you ever sensed God “speaking” to you? If so, how?

3. Not only has God heard the cries of His people in Egypt, but He also has a plan to rescue them. Read Exodus 3:10. What’s the plan? Put yourself in Moses’ sandals—what’s going through his mind at this point (he’s lived in a desert and tended sheep for 40 years and now God is calling him to go to the most powerful man in the world and take his labor force of 1,000,000+ people away)?

4. Moses pushes back. He’s not convinced he’s the man! Read his objections:

a. Exodus 3:11

b. Exodus 3:13

c. Exodus 4:1

d. Exodus 4:10

e. Exodus 4:13

Moses was just like us when we feel overwhelmed or inadequate. He focused on his deficiencies instead of God’s sufficiency. God’s response to Moses is summed up in the 5 words found in Exodus 3:12. God says: “I will be with you.” What was the point God was trying to get Moses to grasp?

5. Is there a big (or small) challenge God is pointing you to…something God wants you to lean into? What excuse could you easily use to excuse yourself from that challenge? Pray for courage for one another and agree to hold each other accountable to step into the challenge.

Moving ahead: Read and reflect on Philippians 4:13 “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Week 4: October 29-30

Group Discussion Questions

1. What’s something that you started to pursue and promptly quit (piano lessons, dieting, a de- gree, a house project, learning a new language, etc.)? Any regrets?

2. Moses, benched for 40 years in Midian, has been given a huge assignment by God—go to Phar- aoh and demand that he frees the Israelites from slavery. After exhausting all his excuses, Moses finally agrees to GO! The people are pumped. Read Exodus 4:29-31. Pharaoh, however, isn’t. Read Exodus 5:1-2. Sum up Pharaoh’s response.

3. Has there been a time in your life where you felt like you were doing the right thing yet experi- encing the wrong result? Moses has one of those moments. He’s doing what God told him to do, but things are going from bad to worse. Read Exodus 5:6-21.

4. Again, put yourself in Moses’ sandals. How are you feeling? Read Moses’ own words in Exodus 5:22-23.

5. Life is full of quitting points. Describe one you’ve hit (or are currently hitting) in your life. What did or what are you learning? What message does God give His people in Exodus 6:6? How do God’s words “I am” and “I will” encourage you today?

Moving ahead: Read and reflect on Hebrews 12:1-2 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith…” Week 5: November 5-6

Group Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever got hopelessly lost on the way to an important gathering or meeting? Share your experience.

2. Moses and the Israelites are on their way to the Promised Land. After 12 months of plagues, Pharaoh relents and allows the Israelites to leave Egypt. The bad news? What should have been a 30-day journey turns into a 40-year fiasco. Read Exodus 13:17-18. How does the phrase “roundabout way” (New Living Translation) sit with you? Does God ever seem a bit pokey to you (yes or no…be honest!)?

3. The people of God had a unique GPS for their travels. What was it? Read Exodus 13:20-22. Pretty simple…move when God prompts you to move. But what happens when the cloud/pillar stays stationary? Has there been a period in your life when nothing seemed to be moving? Was there a lesson learned?

4. Read Deuteronomy 8:1-18. How does this passage help us understand and endure the delays we are facing?

5. One of the lines from the weekend message was, “God was more interested in them (the Israelites) showing up fit than He was them showing up fast.” Another way of saying the same thing is that God is more concerned with our character than our comfort. What is your take home or key learning from this study?

Moving ahead: Read and reflect on Psalm 118:24 “This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.” Week 6: November 12-13

Group Discussion Questions

1. Grumbling or gratitude… which do you hear more of throughout the day? Today, what is one thing you are grateful for? Today, what is one thing you could grumble about (you have our permission to do so briefly!)?

2. Getting through what you’re going through is hard. What’s easy is to resort to complaining/ grumbling. We see it in a big way in the Exodus journey. It starts after God miraculously parts the Red Sea for them. They complain about water in Exodus 15 and turn to food in Exodus 16. Read Exodus 16:1-18. What does this account teach us about God? Re-read vs. 3—what does it teach us about the Israelites? What does it teach us about complaining?

3. Fast forward to several years into the journey. The culture of complaint worsens. Read Numbers 11:4-6 and then vs. 10-15. What’s happening here? Now read Numbers 14:1-5. Once again, put yourself in Moses’ sandals. What’s going through his mind as he looks over this whole ordeal (keep in mind he’s human just like us)?

4. Moses finally “loses it” in Numbers 20. Read vs. 1-8. What is God’s instruction to Moses? Now read vs. 9-11. Did Moses “speak” to the rock? What were the consequences for Moses (vs. 12)?

5. Moses struck the rock out of anger. The pressure of the complaining people became too great. Think about your own life. How is your level of pressure? How well are you managing it? How can the group pray for you?

Moving ahead: Read and reflect on Philippians 2:14-15 “Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shine like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” Week 7: November 19-20

 Leaders, please note: In light of Thanksgiving, your group can combine week 7 with week 8. Or you can do something creative with the questions for your group for week 7!

Group Discussion Questions

1. What do your hands say about you? Yeah, strange question, but our hands tell us a lot (like whether or not we’re married [ring], have a desk job, are frugal [no manicure], etc. What’s your favorite thing to do with your hands?

2. Speaking of hands, the Israelites have their hands full as they are attacked by the Amalekites in Exodus 17. Read Deuteronomy 25:17-19. What does this tell us about the Amalekites?

3. Read Exodus 17:8-10. What did Moses’ staff represent or symbolize? For background, see Exodus 4:1-5.

4. Read Exodus 17:11. Visualize this scene: As 80 year-old Moses’ arms are up, the Israelites are winning…they fall, and down goes the good guys. What lesson was God trying to teach Moses and the other leaders? How does all this relate to prayer and surrendering our battles to God? Why is it so hard to do that (persist in prayer and surrender to God)?

5. In the message, Pastor Phil said, “The position of our hands affects the impact of our lives.” What did he mean by that? What’s your biggest take-away from this study? How can the group (your Aaron and Hur) lift you up in prayer?

Moving ahead: Read and reflect on James 5:16 “…The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” Week 8: November 26-27

Group Discussion Questions

1. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received from someone? How did it impact you?

2. In the first part of Exodus 18, it’s family reunion time! Read Exodus 18:1-2, 5-12. Describe the mood.

3. The scene shifts beginning in Exodus 18:13. Father-in-law Jethro begins to observe Moses in action. What Jethro sees, he doesn’t like. Read vs. 13-16. Describe Moses’ current reality. How “sustainable” was this thing Moses was doing? How would you like a job like that (listening to quarreling people from sun up to sun down)? What did Jethro conclude about Moses’ job description (read vs. 17-18)?

4. Jethro’s advice to Moses is found in vs. 19-23. Read it and sum it up in 1 word (brainstorm the “one word”). What do you think would’ve happened to Moses if Jethro hadn’t come along? Contrast that to Deuteronomy 34:7 (look it up and read aloud).

5. How sustainable is the pace you’re living? Would a wise, loving advisor say, “This is not good!” to you? Is there a burden you are carrying that is (frankly) too heavy for you to bear alone? Speaking of advisors, who is yours? Do you have someone in your life that plays the role of a Jethro? What’s your next step?

Moving ahead: Read and reflect on Proverbs 19:20 “Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.”