Discussion Questions
What Now? - Part Five
1. What stood out to you in Pastor James’ message this week?
2. Can you share a time when you faced obstacles in your life? How did you respond?
3. Read Exodus 13:17–18 "When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt. ”So God led the people around by the desert road to the Red Sea.” Notice that the text says, “So God led the people…” The point is they were not there by accident and needed to be rescued. They were exactly where God wanted them to be so that He could demonstrate His power. How does the concept of God intentionally leading the Israelites on a longer, seemingly unconventional route challenge our understanding of His guidance in our own lives?
4. Reflecting on the Israelites' situation, why do you think God chose to lead them through the desert road instead of the shorter path through Philistine country? What might be the significance of this decision?
5. In what ways can the Israelites' journey from Egypt to the Red Sea serve as a reminder for us today that our circumstances, even challenging ones, may be part of God's greater plan to demonstrate His power and faithfulness?
6. Read Exodus 14:9-12. Many times in moments like this we think it’s easier to stay in the dysfunction than to deal with the challenge of changing it. You will be tempted to turn back to what you have been wanting to turn away from because it’s comfortable and predictable. Comfort and control do not bring change, it brings slavery. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you questioned a decision you made for the sake of following God's leading?
7. How can we find reassurance and trust in God's faithfulness when our circumstances seem difficult or uncertain?
Recognize God has a plan beyond what you see.
8. Read Isaiah 55:8–9 “My plans are not like your plans, and my deeds are not like your deeds, for just as the sky is higher than the earth, so my deeds are superior to your deeds and my plans superior to your plans." How can we surrender or thoughts to God?
Go on what you know.
9. Read Hebrews 11:1. “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” In what ways does faith require us to trust in God's character and His unseen work in our lives?
10. Read Hebrews 11:3 “By faith we understand...” We want to reverse it. We want to understand then we will move by faith. But that is not how God works. How does God help us build our faith when we step out in faith?
11. Read Exodus 14:19. "Then the angel of God, who had been traveling in front of Israel’s army, withdrew and went behind them. The pillar of cloud also moved from in front and stood behind them." The shifting of the angel of God and the pillar of cloud symbolizes God's guidance and direction for the Israelites. How does this passage remind us of the importance of following God's leading even when it seems counterintuitive or challenging? Can you share a personal experience when you had to trust in God's guidance, even when it went against conventional wisdom or popular opinion? How did God's faithfulness manifest in that situation
Trust that God’s got your back.
12. Read Psalm 32:8. “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.” How can we cultivate a posture of openness to God's leading? How does our willingness to trust and follow God's instruction contribute to our spiritual growth?
13. Read Isaiah 30:21 "Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” The verse suggests that God's voice comes from behind, guiding us in the way we should walk. How does this imagery signify His presence, protection, and guidance? How can we trust God's voice and His leading, even when it may require stepping into the unknown or going against the opinions of others?
14. How can we encourage each other to live by what God says rather than by what we see?