Promised Land Living: Change

How do you feel about change?

I suppose most of us would answer, “It depends…”

If it’s a good change, we love it (usually).

If it’s a bad change, we don’t (usually).

But lately, I’ve noticed my own attitude toward change is a bit more complicated simply liking it or disliking it. In general, I embrace change–even when it’s challenging–as long as it seems like it’s moving toward a place of stability. With concern, however, I’ve begun to notice the stability I imagine may be just that–imagination. I’m realizing the lives God gives us are much too dynamic to tolerate the changeless stability of my imagination. In this way, life can begin to feel much like my email inbox–as soon as I finish replying to all my messages, the responses I’ve asked for begin to re-flood my freshly-cleared inbox. And so it is with life: we experience change in our surroundings, our relationships, and ourselves as long as we are alive.

But is the quest for stability a fool’s errand amidst all the change around us? Or has God provided a way to anchor us through change so that we can always give him praise, even when the changes are difficult?

The answers to these questions are at the core of Moses’ last song (Deut. 32) and, in many ways, the entire book of Deuteronomy itself. As we conclude our study of God’s words for Promised Land Living, we will hear God’s counsel to his people facing enormous change.

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SEE IT // BE IT

(Weekly Community Group Discussion Guide)

Date: June 26, 2016 // Title: Promised Land Living: Change

Scripture: Deuteronomy 31-34

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
Is the quest for stability a fool’s errand amidst all the change around us? Or has God provided a way to anchor us through change so that we can always give Him praise, even when the changes are difficult? The answers to these questions are at the core of Moses’ last song (Deut. 32). As we conclude our study of God’s words for Promised Land Living, we hear God’s counsel to His people facing enormous change: it’s constant, challenging, and we have a
choice!

THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.
Christ: what holds us fast in spite of change.

SEE IT Questions :: 10-15 minutes

Picture (what is the story saying?): For the people of Israel, what is the significance of Moses not going into the land with them? What are three things we learned about change? How do we hang onto the Rock?

Mirror (where am I in the story?): In the midst of change, what happens when I embrace God? What happens when I choose my own way?

Window (How does the story change how I see the world around me?): : In Deuteronomy 33, Moses ends his song by blessing the tribes. Who can I bless this week? What are some words or deeds that I can use to proclaim God’s blessing on others?

BE IT – Practice

Change UP // Exercise 15 minutes
Deuteronomy 32:10-11 talks about God keeping Israel as the apple of His eye. Jon helped us understand that to mean He was close enough to see His own reflection in their eyes. Take some time to reflect on some change that is happening right now for you. Ask God to redirect your gaze to His own. Rest there for a minute, receiving confirmation that He is the Rock that meets you, knows you, anchors you, and sustains you.

Change IN // Group Activity 5 minutes
If we were rock climbing, the commands of God would be like the large holds in the rock face. One thing we know is that we cannot hold on to those in our own strength! In your group, speak out a change or challenge that you currently have, and direct each other to a hand hold from the passage in Deuteronomy 32 or 33 that helps redirect your gaze to remain steadily on the Rock.

Change OUT // Life Application Assignment 5 minutes
Who did you think of during the “Window” section? Talk together about whom the Lord brought to your minds and make a plan for walking together with them toward the Rock.

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.