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Two Guys From Vista
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Print this pageJudges: | Same Old Problems | April 26-27, 2008 |
Growth Group Homework
For the week of April 27, 2008
QUICK REVIEW: Take a look at this week’s sermon notes and maybe even check out a few of the Scriptures listed on the outline. Was there a point in the sermon, a verse, or anything else that surprised you, motivated you or caused you to think differently?
MY STORY
1. It makes sense that we would look for and call on God’s power and might in times of need. But in light of this week’s teaching, can you think of a time that you saw God at work in the “minutiae” of life?
2. What might be some indicators that a person’s walk with God is more about people and programs than it is about purpose or obedience?
DIGGING DEEPER
1. Joshua 6 tells the story of God’s people facing insurmountable odds and God delivering the city of Jericho into their hands. Joshua, the leader of the Israelites at the time, had an encounter with God right before the fall of Jericho. Read about it in Joshua 5:13-Joshua 6:7 and make 2-4 observations about Joshua’s response to and interaction with God.
Joshua 5:13-6:7
Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, "Are you for us or for our enemies?"
[14] "Neither," he replied, "but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, "What message does my Lord have for his servant?"
[15] The commander of the Lord's army replied, "Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy." And Joshua did so.
[6:1] Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the Israelites. No one went out and no one came in.
[2] Then the Lord said to Joshua, "See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. [3] March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. [4] Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams' horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. [5] When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have all the people give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the people will go up, every man straight in."
[6] So Joshua son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant of the Lord and have seven priests carry trumpets in front of it." [7] And he ordered the people, "Advance! March around the city, with the armed guard going ahead of the ark of the Lord." [NIV]
If Joshua had recognized God immediately, how do you think his initial response in verse 13 would have been different?
Jot down a couple ways this passage could affect our response to and interaction with God when we face obstacles, temptations or other problems.
2. Pastor Chris gave us a snapshot of an “accessorized” warrior God in Exodus 19. How can you reconcile the God described in Exodus 19:10-13 and Exodus 33:18-23 with the New Testament teaching found in Matthew 11:28-30 and Romans 8:15-17?
Exodus 19:10-13
And the Lord said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes [11] and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. [12] Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, 'Be careful that you do not go up the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain shall surely be put to death. [13] He shall surely be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on him. Whether man or animal, he shall not be permitted to live.' Only when the ram's horn sounds a long blast may they go up to the mountain."
Exodus 33:18-23
Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory."
[19] And the Lord said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. [20] But," he said, "you cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live."
[21] Then the Lord said, "There is a place near me where you may stand on a rock. [22] When my glory passes by, I will put you in a cleft in the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. [23] Then I will remove my hand and you will see my back; but my face must not be seen." [NIV]
Matthew 11:28-30
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." [NIV]
Romans 8:15-17
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." [16] The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. [17] Now if we are children, then we are heirs--heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. [NIV]
Why do you think it’s important to keep in mind both of these descriptions of God?
3. This week’s sermon highlighted the story of God’s people being delivered from the Canaanites. Judges 5 is basically a victory song that Deborah and Barak wrote in response to God’s might and goodness shown in chapter 4. Read Judges 5:1-9 to get a flavor of this song of worship. If someone were to ask you “what is worship,” how might you respond to them in light of this passage and your own experience?
Judges 5:1-9
On that day Deborah and Barak son of Abinoam sang this song:
[2] "When the princes in Israel take the lead,
when the people willingly offer themselves--
praise the Lord!
[3] "Hear this, you kings! Listen, you rulers!
I will sing to the Lord, I will sing;
I will make music to the Lord, the God of Israel.
[4] "O Lord, when you went out from Seir,
when you marched from the land of Edom,
the earth shook, the heavens poured,
the clouds poured down water.
[5] The mountains quaked before the Lord, the One of Sinai,
before the Lord, the God of Israel.
[6] "In the days of Shamgar son of Anath,
in the days of Jael, the roads were abandoned;
travelers took to winding paths.
[7] Village life in Israel ceased,
ceased until I, Deborah, arose,
arose a mother in Israel.
[8] When they chose new gods,
war came to the city gates,
and not a shield or spear was seen
among forty thousand in Israel.
[9] My heart is with Israel's princes,
with the willing volunteers among the people.
Praise the Lord! [NIV]
How could the following Scriptures clarify, challenge or confirm your understanding of worship?
Psalm 95:3-7
For the Lord is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
[4] In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
[5] The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
[6] Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the Lord our Maker;
[7] for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.Today, if you hear his voice, [NIV]
Psalm 96:4-9
For great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
he is to be feared above all gods.
[5] For all the gods of the nations are idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
[6] Splendor and majesty are before him;
strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
[7] Ascribe to the Lord, O families of nations,
ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
[8] Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
bring an offering and come into his courts.
[9] Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth. [NIV]John 4:23-24
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. [24] God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." [NIV]
TAKING IT HOME
1. How does knowing our warrior God with all His accessories affect your perspective on the struggles or problems that we can face on a regular basis?
2. Is there anything else from this week’s sermon or study that you need to remember or apply?
Parenting Classes!
ON-PURPOSE PARENTING
Instructors: Dave & Koreena Enns
Date/ Time: Saturday, May 3, 9 AM - 12 PM – One Morning Only
Location: North Coast Church, High School Room
Tuition Cost: $10/ person; $15/ couple
Child care is Available: $7/child; Family Max $20
Course Description: This workshop taught by Dave and Koreena Enns provides practical and easy-to-learn parenting techniques that WORK for children ages 2-12. You won't need to study child psychology to understand the simple steps and powerful techniques to encourage good behavior, divert problem behavior, along with reinforcing and strengthening your bond with your children.
Register online www.northcoastchurch.com.
PARENTING TEENS AND SURVIVING
Instructor: Ned Mervich & Panel
Date/ Time: Monday, May 19, 7 PM - 9 PM – One Night Only
Location: North Coast Church, Video Café
Tuition Cost: $7/ person; $10/ couple
Course Description: Just about the time you think you’ve got this parenting thing figured out, your child becomes a teenager and you discover it’s a whole new parenting ballgame. This seminar will examine some of the universal aspects of the journey through adolescence to help give you a road map for guiding your pre-teen or adolescent child into adulthood. The first part of the workshop will be lead by Ned Mervich. The second will be a Q&A session with a panel of parents of teens who have survived or are surviving and our High School pastoral staff.
Register online www.northcoastchurch.com.