Church Encourager

Kingdom Foreshadowed Part 5 Discussion Guide

Summary

In today’s sermon, we explored the theme of trusting in the Lord, as illustrated through the story of the Israelites in the wilderness. Despite witnessing God’s powerful acts, the Israelites struggled with trust, often grumbling about their immediate needs. God provided for them miraculously with manna and water, teaching them to rely on Him daily. This lesson is echoed in Jesus’ teachings in Matthew 6, where He encourages us not to worry about our basic needs but to seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, trusting that He will provide for us.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts and minds, ready to receive Your word. Help us to trust in Your provision and guidance, just as You provided for the Israelites in the wilderness. May we learn to rely on You daily and seek Your kingdom first in all that we do. Open our hearts to the lessons You have for us today. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Ice Breaker

What is one thing you are thankful for this week?

Key Verses

1. Matthew 6:25-34
2. Exodus 16:4
3. Exodus 15:22-25
4. John 6:48-51
5. John 4:13-14

Questions

1. What stood out to you the most from today’s sermon?
2. Why do you think the Israelites struggled to trust God despite witnessing His miracles?
3. How does Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6 relate to the story of the Israelites in the wilderness?
4. Can you share a time when you had to trust God for your daily needs?
5. What are some practical ways we can seek God’s kingdom first in our daily lives?
6. How do you handle worry and anxiety in your life? What role does your faith play in this?
7. What does it mean to you that Jesus is the ‘bread of life’ and the ‘living water’?
8. How can we support each other in our journey to trust God more fully?

Life Application

This week, challenge yourself to trust God with one specific area of your life where you tend to worry. Pray daily for His guidance and provision, and take a step of faith in that area, believing that He will take care of you.

Key Takeaways

1. Trusting in God is essential for experiencing the fullness of life He offers.
2. God provides for our needs, often in ways we do not expect.
3. Jesus teaches us not to worry about our basic needs but to seek His kingdom first.
4. Faith in God’s provision helps us overcome anxiety and live more peacefully.
5. God’s miracles in the past remind us of His faithfulness in the present.

Ending Prayer

Lord, we thank You for the lessons we have learned today about trusting in Your provision and guidance. Help us to apply these truths to our lives and to seek Your kingdom first in all that we do. May we grow in our faith and trust in You, knowing that You are always with us and will provide for our needs. Bless our week ahead and help us to be a light to those around us. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.

Kingdom Foreshadowed Part 4 Discussion Guide

1 Sermon Summary

In this sermon, we explored the story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt, focusing on the crossing of the Red Sea. This event is a powerful symbol of salvation and God’s decisive action to deliver His people from bondage. The sermon emphasized the importance of trusting in God’s plan and His ability to lead us from death to life, just as He did for the Israelites. We were reminded that true freedom is found in worshiping and serving the Lord, and that fear can often cloud our judgment and lead us away from God’s path.

The sermon also highlighted the role of Moses as a representative of the people, standing before God on their behalf, much like Jesus does for us. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are set free from the power of sin and death, and we experience a “crossover moment” from death to life. The message encouraged us to rest in God’s presence, trust in His deliverance, and embrace the true freedom that comes from knowing Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

2 Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts, thankful for the opportunity to gather and learn from Your Word. We ask that You open our hearts and minds to receive the message You have for us today. Help us to be attentive and responsive to Your guidance. May Your Holy Spirit move among us, bringing clarity, understanding, and transformation. We pray that we would leave this place with a deeper trust in You and a renewed sense of Your presence in our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

3 Ice Breaker

What is your favorite way to spend a relaxing day?

4 Key Verses

1. Exodus 14:13-14 – “Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.'”
2. John 5:24 – “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.”
3. Romans 8:1-2 – “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
4. Exodus 14:21-22 – “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left.”
5. Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

5 Questions

1. What stood out to you the most from today’s sermon?
2. How do you think the Israelites felt when they saw the Red Sea part before them?
3. Can you share a time when you felt God delivered you from a difficult situation?
4. What does true freedom in Christ mean to you?
5. How can we remind ourselves to keep God in the equation of our lives, especially during challenging times?
6. In what ways can fear impact our decisions and actions? How can we combat this with faith?
7. How does the concept of a “crossover moment” from death to life resonate with your personal faith journey?
8. What steps can we take to deepen our trust in God’s plan and His deliverance in our daily lives?

6 Life Application

This week, take time each day to reflect on a specific instance where God has delivered you or shown His faithfulness in your life. Write it down and thank Him for His provision and guidance. Share one of these reflections with a friend or family member to encourage them in their faith journey.

7 Key Takeaways

1. Trust in God’s Deliverance: Just as God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites, He can make a way for us in seemingly impossible situations. Trusting in His plan and timing is crucial for experiencing His deliverance.
2. True Freedom in Worship: True freedom is found in worshiping and serving the Lord. When we focus on God and His ways, we are set free from the bondage of fear and sin.
3. The Role of Jesus as Our Representative: Moses stood before God on behalf of the Israelites, pointing to Jesus, who stands before God on our behalf. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are set free from sin and death.
4. The Power of a Crossover Moment: Accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior brings a decisive change in our status from death to life. This “crossover moment” is a pivotal point in our spiritual journey.
5. Overcoming Fear with Faith: Fear can cloud our judgment and lead us away from God’s path. By spending time in God’s presence and trusting in His promises, we can overcome fear and make decisions rooted in love and faith.

8 Ending Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the powerful message of deliverance and freedom that we have heard today. We are grateful for Your faithfulness and the ways You have moved in our lives. Help us to trust in Your plan and to keep You at the center of our decisions. May we experience the true freedom that comes from worshiping and serving You. As we go from this place, may Your peace and presence go with us, guiding us and strengthening our faith. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.

Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.