Out of the Fire

“Watch your words!”

I’ve heard many parents say this to their children, almost always in the aftermath of some surprisingly cutting or colorful phrase. Sometimes I wonder how it’s possible to watch something invisible like words, but I’m pretty sure most children don’t have time for such reflection in the midst of the context clues and their parents’ tone of voice.

Deuteronomy is deeply concerned with words. In fact, as we learned last week, the Jewish community uses the first words of Deuteronomy’s opening verse as its title: “These Are the Words.” Again and again (no fewer than 16 times), this book reminds us that the words we must watch most closely are what God spoke “out of the fire” to his people at Mt. Sinai. The people could barely bear to hear these words, but their truth contained the keys to their future.

See you Sunday as we “watch” these words with fresh eyes and ears.

Podcast

Podcast: Download (Duration: 32:24 — 37.1MB)

Subscribe: Email | RSS

Downloads

SEE IT // BE IT

(Weekly Community Group Discussion Guide)

Date: April 10, 2016 // Title: Out of the Fire

Scripture: Deuteronomy 2-5

SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes

ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes
Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out.

SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes
In this passage, Moses reminds the Israelites of their final years in the Desert and their victory over two kings, Sihon and Og. Then he reminds them of their experience at Horeb (Mt. Sinai) when God spoke to them out of the fire, giving them the Ten Commandments. Obedience is commanded and idolatry forbidden, but not merely for the sake of adherence. No, Moses wants them to understand the “why.” Obedience stems from an awe of the greatness of God, a God who performs miraculous signs and wonders, who saves with a mighty hand. “You were shown these things so that you might know that the LORD is God; besides him there is no other.” (Deut. 4:35). Obedience, then, to this kind of God is a no-brainer. And creating an idol? Out of the question. Moses tells them that “God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.” A mystery, this “fire” imagery that Moses describes—God is a fire and speaks out of fire (Deut 4:12, 15, 24, 33, 36).

THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.
The LORD is God; besides him there is no other.

SEE IT Questions :: 10-15 minutes

Picture: What was the significance of the mention of the size of King Og’s bed? (Hint: giant) What was the purpose of Moses retelling these stories? (Deut. 4:9-10) What are the positive properties of fire? What are the dangerous qualities? How is God like fire? (Review verses mentioned in Sermon Review.)

Mirror: When have you experienced the nearness of God (Deut. 4:7)? How do you handle the mystery of God? In other words, are you able to accept the mystery, or do you find yourself idolizing other things (money, relationships, work, etc.)?

Window: How does reminding yourself of God’s mighty acts change the way you see the world around you—your job, the political climate, your family, ministry opportunities?

BE IT – Practice

Change UP // Worship 10 minutes
Spend time in prayer as a group, specifically thanking God for the mighty acts He’s performed in your lives. Thank Him that He is bigger than any giant you encounter.

Change IN // Living it Out 5 minutes
Moses asks several rhetorical questions in this passage. (Deut. 4: 7, 8, 32, 33, 34) Have a leader ask the rest of your group each question, pausing for an answer from the group. (“What other nation…?” “No nation.”)

Change OUT // Praying it Forward 5 minutes
Write down one verse from today’s passage to take home as a reminder of God’s nearness, His power, or His authority. Share it this week with a friend.

CLOSING PRAYER 5 minutes
Take a few minutes to gather any prayer requests and pray for each other to SEE IT and BE IT this week.