Pastor Matt reminded us that the presence of God's guidelines for living is not the problem; it's our rebellion against them.
MY STORY
Talk about a time when you deliberately broke a fairly-big rule. Tell us what happened.
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO HEAR?
Now the Lord said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
When he was about to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, "I know that you are a woman beautiful in appearance, and when the Egyptians see you, they will say, 'This is his wife.' Then they will kill me, but they will let you live. Say you are my sister, that it may go well with me because of you, and that my life may be spared for your sake." Genesis 12:1-2; 11-13
At this point in his life, Abram did not yet have Ishmael or Isaac, and yet God promised to give the land of Canaan to his offspring.
How do Abram's words to Sarai when they were entering Egypt reflect his lack of trust in God's promise?
Why do you think Sarai would agree to Abraham's plan?
God punishes the Egyptians for Abram's lack of faith, but does he punish Abram at all? Why do you think that is?
How is it that Pharaoh knew sleeping with someone else's wife was wrong? (The 10 Commandments have not been given at this point.)
What does God want us to hear? Based on the passages above, what are the factual "takeaways" that are meaningful to you?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT US TO DO?
Talk about a time when God worked things out for you, despite your lack of faith and despite you trying to take the situation into your own hands.
Why do we still follow some laws from the Old Testament and not others?
How do you currently make a decision when you don't know the right thing to do? What does God say to do in those situations?
What should you do when your spouse's (or parent's, or friend's) rules don't necessarily reflect God's rules? How do you lovingly disagree with someone in your life when they are not following God, but God still calls you to respect, love, and honor those people?
What does God want us to do? Flowing out of our reading and interpretation, what action does this passage or the Spirit's leading, nudging us toward?
WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO?
Reflect on ways your life is either demonstrating faith in God or a lack of faith. In what areas can you improve your dependency on Him?
Search your heart and reflect on some rules you have in your life that you've placed there. Where is God calling you to be more open to His calling, rather than clinging to your own set of rules and self-imposed regulations?
For areas in your life where you are struggling with knowing the right path, make a special effort this week to pray and/or fast, and if the situation allows, seek the counsel of an accountability partner or someone who is strong in the faith that you respect. Don't struggle alone.
What does God want ME to do? What is the personal application and action step is the Holy Spirit is calling you toward?
Message Notes
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