Question: What happens when God tells you to go to the world’s most powerful man who is in charge of the world’s most powerful empire and ask him to let go of his entire slave force–perhaps his most valuable resource?

Answer: Many wild things, including countless frogs, vats of blood, and a sea that won’t hold its shores.

Hebrews 11:23-29 reminds us of one of the Bible’s greatest stories about God’s heart for justice and freedom. But it also reminds us that this kind of thing requires a particularly potent practice of faith. Fortunately, God has given us everything we need to grow this kind of faith in our hearts, in our families, and in the midst of all sorts of enslaving powers.

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SEE IT // BE IT

(WEEKLY COMMUNITY GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE)

Title: By Faith: Decision-Maker // Scripture: Hebrews 11:24-27

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

It may be helpful to remember the circumstances under which the book of Hebrews was written. The Hebrew people were being oppressed by some of their own religious leaders. On top of that, they were being oppressed by the ungodly system of the Roman Empire. Some Hebrew followers of Jesus were tempted to consider that trusting and following Jesus would be too difficult. The writer of Hebrews was reminding them that they were not the kind of people who would shrink back. This story of God delivering His people from the oppressive rule of Egypt was important for them to understand and it is important for us to remember as well. The process was messy, and judgment was necessary to establish the future that God had initiated. The simple act of obedience in putting the blood of a lamb on the doorpost required a simple faith. When our lives feel as though we are caught between an impassable sea and a fierce enemy, what do we do? Faith in the blood of Jesus puts his mark of salvation on our souls. We are called to move forward from sin into freedom where we can worship God and serve Him.

THE MAIN THOUGHT keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.
Freedom has two movements. We are freed from the bondage of sin and oppression. We are freed to worship and serve God.

SEE IT – Questions 10-15 minutes

Picture (What is the story saying?): Is God’s covenant with Abraham still being kept when Moses enters the story? What happens when humans resist God or rebel against His ways? What saves the Hebrews from losing their firstborn sons? What were the Hebrew people free to do after God delivered them? What does freedom look like to you? How might you view freedom differently in light of this story?

Mirror (Where am I in the story?): Pharaoh resisted the rule and reign of God even with the created order changing in front of him. When are you likely to resist like Pharaoh? Do you ever feel stuck between the two movements of deliverance and freedom?

Window (How does the story change how I see those around me?): Some may think of freedom as financial security. Some see it as indulging an appetite without concern for consequences. Some may see freedom in an open calendar. What is God inviting you to use that freedom for? Do you have compassion for those who need deliverance? Where are you aware of oppression or privilege at work around you?

BE IT – Practice 10-15 minutes (Which of these areas is God speaking to you about this week?)

Change UP // Receive
What is God asking you to receive from Him? We learned how to use our bodies in praying the Lord’s Prayer this Sunday. In your time with God this week, pray Jesus’ prayer from Matthew 6:9-13. Pray through it again a second time and pause with your hands in a posture of receiving when you pray “give us this day our daily bread.” Ask God what you need to receive from Him today.

Change IN // Encourage
The writer of Hebrews intended to encourage the faith of other believers by reminding them of who God has shown Himself to be over time. Who in your life is hoping for something they haven’t seen? Do you know someone who is stuck or struggling? If so, prayerfully find a way to encourage them in faith this week. A second way to encourage others could be to share communion with your missional community.

Change OUT // Sacrifice
We get to respond to freedom by engaging in worship. The Hebrews offered sacrifices as a part of their response showing that worship should cost something. How can the freedom you’ve been given be a blessing to others? What could you sacrifice this week to bring everyday life into an act of worship? Consider sharing a meal with someone who cannot return the invitation or give some time this week serving a group or individual who needs deliverance. Visit the Grace website at gfc.tv/snellville/nations/local/ for ideas or email for information on serving the homeless of Atlanta.

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.