Grow Group Questions // October 17th, 2021
Covenant Requirement // Exodus 34:6-7
Introduction
Today we continue in our series of “The Glory Encounter” by looking at Exodus 32:7-14 and Israel’s actions and reactions to who God is. Moses has been in conversation with God and through this conversation has pleaded with God to show Moses “His ways” and “His glory”. We have seen how great God is in that He is “merciful and gracious”, “slow to anger”, and “abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness”. Now we look at the Israel people and how are they living their lives in the sight of a Holy God.
To get the most out of your group time, we invite you to look over the questions below and write your thoughts down before you meet with your group.
Ice Breaker Questions
Here are some possible ways to get a conversation started:
Do you enjoy the cooler temperatures or the warmer temperatures?
If you had to list 2 strengths and 2 weaknesses about yourself, what would you list?
Getting Started
Open up with some prayer, some possible prayer topics:
God would lead your time of discussion
That this study would help our understanding of who God is.
As we grow in our understanding of who God is it would also stir our affections and worship of Him and lead us into loving Him and others more.
That we would see God’s kindness and it would lead us to repentance.
Read Exodus 32:7-14
Discussion Questions
If we look at most of the Ancient World, we would see most civilizations were polytheistic, many gods, and yet the Israelites were monotheistic, on god, and we can also see where Israel is tempted and even leans into adding elements from other Nations into their walk with God. Where have we let other ideas outside the Bible influence our walk with God? Do we see any spots where American or other background/upbringing ideas have worked their way into our faith in a negative sense? In a positive sense?
Moses shows a deep care for his people when he intercedes for them. In that moment, he would have been protected and even benefited from God’s wrath as we see in Exodus 32:10 and yet Moses still intercedes for Israel. Do we have that same love for the people in our life? Family? Our Grow Group? Those in the church? Are we willing to sacrifice our gain in order to love and protect others?
In the text Moses intercedes for the people of Israel and is able to protect them from God’s wrath. What picture does this represent for us today? Why do we need an intercessor? Where are we trying to rely on our own works rather than the work of the intercessor?
Jesus did not have to suffer on the cross for us! He was not obligated to. He did not owe us anything. We did not do anything to deserve it and yet He still suffers for us. Why did Moses intercede for Israel? Why does Jesus suffer on the cross for us? Read Romans 2:4. How does the acts of Jesus lead us to respond?
Read Isiah 53. What perspective does that give to what Jesus endured for us? How does that stir up my affections for Him in light of this truth?
Closing Prayer
Prayer can often be somewhat of a weird time and we understand can be awkward to pray out loud so as your group grows in comfortability ask people to pray out loud. Prayer is a very effective tool the Holy Spirit uses to draw our hearts closer to God. It is also a time you as a group can come together and come before the throw of God and make requests and just experience Him.
Some suggestions:
Ask if there are any prayer requests.
Pray that Jesus would use the week to reaffirm the truths discussed here.
Pray that God would stir our affections as we remember how Christ is our intercessor.
Personal Spiritual Practice
This section is for anyone that wants some practical steps to try throughout their week. they are not required, but maybe a great way to reinforce what has been discussed during group. Maybe this could even be a way to check in either during the week or the next time you meet as a group.
Meditation: Re-read Isaiah 53 and spend time thinking and meditating on all that Jesus did for you. Think about the price He paid and the ways He would suffer, not to make you feel worse, but move our hearts toward thankfulness for Him.
Memorize: Take time this week and memorize 53:5.