God calls Moses, and Moses says "please send someone else." He starts complaining. He makes excuses. He is frustrated with God for calling him to a very difficult place. If you have a complaining heart like Moses, especially in times like these, how does God heal a complaining spirit? What hope does He offer?
Discussion Questions
Sermon-Based Discussion Questions
“The Call” | Exodus 3:10-14; 4:1-3,10-1 Pastor Russ Hightower
Sunday, April 5, 2020
Pacific Crossroads Church SOUTH BAY
https://pccsouthbay.org/sermons
Our society is going through a very long, very difficult time. Why is it so much harder to remember the joy of life in the midst of protracted difficulties?
God calls Moses to go to Pharaoh. Considering he'd already twice 'run' for his life from two different Pharaohs, what does Moses understand this call to mean? What techniques does he use to get out from under this calling from God? When do you complain about God’s calling or will upon your life?
Why do we struggle with spiritual courage? What are the limits of what we think it is reasonable for God to ask of us? Beyond a romanticized answer, what are some real limits for you? When does it appear that God is asking too much of others?
This passage holds two of the most important questions in life: "Who am I?" and "Who is this God?" Moses attempts to use "Who am I?!" to dodge God's call. How does God's identity become an answer for Moses' plea that he's not significant enough for this call? What does God's patience with Moses say about who this God is?
"We must learn to be afraid in the right way." (Soren Kierkegaard) Moses is clearly afraid of Pharaoh & death. How can an appropriate “fear of God” benefit us in the midst of a time of great fear, like now?
Read Psalm 130:3-4. How does God's forgiveness lead us to fear? How could that give us confidence to face fears in the rest of life?
Moses openly shared with his people that he too was a complainer like them (Numbers 14). Why does vulnerability help change hearts? How can we lead through vulnerability in the South Bay? Why is that so hard if someone is actively complaining against you (e.g., family, friends, neighbors)? How might seeing Christ's patience with us enable us to be more patient with others?
"It is unbecoming for Christians to whine." (Ray Cortese) How might Christ's courage begin to transform us to have joy, even in exceptionally hard times?
"God is a spiritual tornado. He never pulls you in without sending you out." (Tim Keller) How was that true for Moses? In a time like this, when most of us cannot leave our homes, what might being "sent" look like? What are some creative ways you have seen people love their neighbors while honoring the "stay at home" order? If this time continues for several months, how might your Community Group creatively love one another & those around you?
