Discussion Questions 5/30/20

5/30/2020

These discussion questions are based on the sermon titled "Rejecting Providence".

Here are some discussion questions that you can talk about with the people that are in your home with you. You can also call a friend who was watching and discuss it with them. Or you can break out a notebook and use these questions to journal your thoughts on the message.

1. Why do people oppress one another?

2. Why did the Hebrew elders need 3 signs when Moses and Aaron first met with them?

3. Why did it take 10 plagues for pharaoh to let the Hebrews go?

4. Why did it take 10 plagues for the Hebrews to trust in God?

5. Why after leaving Egypt did the Hebrews struggle so much with trust?

6. Why is it that we sometimes don’t recognize God’s answer to our prayers?

7. Why isn’t God’s providence always convenient?

8. What are some ways that people can get together safely during this time?

9. What is the message that God is trying to give to you from this sermon?

10. How can you apply this message to your life?

11. What practical thing can you do today to get started?

Feel free to share some of your thoughts in the comment section below:

14 Comments

Selva Mason

5/30/2020 01:21:00 pm

6. Why is it that we sometimes don’t recognize God’s answer to our prayers?

We sometimes do not recognize God's answer to our prayers because it is not how we want it or when we want it. We do not know ourselves as well as God does. When He answers our prayers, we begin to say, feel or think the circumstances are too difficult. Sometime we feel this way because we are afraid of failure or our limitations. I am very guilt of this. When my prayers are answered, I begin to question and find fault. I say, "Why me? Why God can't choose someone else to do this? Why does it have to be so much work?" Then somewhere along the line I am explaining my frustration to someone else (a friend or family member) and then the person usually reminds me, "Selva, isn't this exactly what you were praying for a six months ago? Isn't this exactly what you said you wanted? Can't you see that this is what you were telling me about and now it is happening?"

Then I find myself in silence. Because, it is in that moment that I realize that my prayer is being answered and I am complaining and questioning why. When we become fearful and stopped by our own understanding, it is essential for us to remember God's promise in Isaiah 45:2 "I will go before you and will level the mountains[a];(NIV)."

Wayne Jamel

5/30/2020 03:30:42 pm

God's ways are not our ways. His thoughts are not our thoughts. He knows what we need. And many of these things are there to have its perfect work in molding our character.

5/31/2020 06:53:39 pm

Amen Pastor Wayne. Thank you for this reminder. This is exactly why its necessary for you to communicate the message you are called and sent to communicate in your sermons.

Thank you for yesterday's message Leadership that results in transformation requires courage. It would be nice and convenient if we could live transformed lives while doing the same things we always do and think the same ways we usually think. Complacency and transformation are opposites, so we cannot have it both ways.

As you mentioned in previous sermons, “Christians are meant to be on a mission; that moves forward in God’s work”. Often times, we confuse popularity with leadership; the things that might not be popular in people's hearing is sometimes exactly what needs to be said by a leader or one of courage to help people reconsider, refocus, re-purpose, move past fear and begin to see possibilities for continuing God’s work.

Michella Calix

5/30/2020 03:39:47 pm

I like what you said Selva. Too often, we ask for things that we are ready for, but aren't comfortable to jump into it. David stated in Psalm 139:23-24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead in the way everlasting." He knows what we need, when we need, how we need it, and where we need. We just need to plant our feet where God wants them to be planted.

5/31/2020 06:58:28 pm

Thank you for your encouraging words Michella.

5/30/2020 01:36:59 pm

Whenever the story of Moses come up, my answer to the Israelite being so angry or cranky throughout the journey, was their strange way of asking for help. They didn’t know from right from wrong or they were finally able to allow feelings to state their opinion because they had freedom of choice. After all, have endured barbaric reinforcements from the Egyptians. It does not take a child from causing a scene in the grocery aisle to turn around and respect others around him overnight. It takes time to learn and to relearn what was once learned. But to be fair here, the Israelite had to practice longsuffering. Life for them was a waiting room and it is just that for us today.

As we look forward to a job, a promotion, a new house, a marriage, or a family, what is our attitude? Are we frustrated all the time? Or are we slowing down to the Lord; allowing Him to refuel us through the waiting room? Do we even respond to His provision in the waiting with appreciation? Do we respond to His preparation with obedience? And through the waiting of God, discover the truth that He is enough? Waiting shows us that our life does not come from goals we crush or the bucket list of places we get to explore or the person we marry. Waiting shows us that life is found in Jesus.

Sometimes we are the one delaying the process that God has for us. We blame God for things that should have been our job to do or ours to wait. Some people believe that if you haven’t gotten that prayer answered yet that God isn’t there for you or that it wasn't God's will when in reality, God is still writing your story and it isn’t ready to be applied in your life. It is the same thing that He had done for us in the beginning of time. He demanded things to occurred in six days, but precisely formed Adam; using His bare hands to make His vision come to life the way He desired it (Genesis 2:7). Perfection for His people take time and we should be patience to wait for His gift. I believe that was the case for the Israelite and the promised land that was set for them to start a new life. As for us, the promise that our reunification will take place in the new normal.

5/30/2020 05:50:28 pm

Thats an interesting idea about crying out for help through murmuring. That matches up with when I child starts misbehaving they are subconsciously making a cry for help. In other words it shows that there is something wrong inside. Interesting thoughts

Nydia I Pagan-Howard

5/30/2020 02:35:57 pm

Why did you ask for forgiveness after finished your sermon? It was fine and clear. We were surprised of your stament.

5/30/2020 03:03:41 pm

Hi Nydia. I wasnt asking for forgiveness. I dont think I said anything wrong. I was thanking those who may have been offended for watching until the end and I was appealing that they pray about it with an open mind. I can see how some people may get offended because not everyone views it the same way. I wrestled with whether or not I was going to preach this or scrap it altogether. But I remembered the determination I made with God at the beginning of my time in this district... "Follow God's leading despite the consequences"

Joe n Cora G

5/30/2020 07:28:53 pm

It’s a self reality check sermon . It tells how we behave badly towards God’s providence. We cried for God’s providence, but then when He liberally gives it to us we reject the providence bec it didn’t fit on what we were praying for . All of us one way or another are guilty of this behavior . The sermon was about like saying .. somebody has to rock the boat to wake up passengers who are so complacent in riding the guilty trip .

5/30/2020 07:42:27 pm

We all have to do self reflection

Joe n Cora F

5/30/2020 07:48:48 pm

Why people oppress one another ?
Some psychologists or mental health counselors will say it’s a personality complex , a weak person either emotionally ,mentally n physically tries to overcome that complex by exercising oppressive power of control over someone to show that he or she is strong . But in totality I would say as long as jealousy ,enviousness ,bitterness ... abound in people’s behavior oppression will always b present among each other.

5/30/2020 08:14:51 pm

Why isn’t God’s providence always convenient ?
God answers our prayers for providence in three ways yes I’ll give it , no I won’t give it , and wait I’ll give it but not yet . The wait ione especially if is involves long term correction of conduct n behavior , I would say to most people this God’s answer is the most inconvenient one ... or sometimes if before the providence be given it requires working for God , work that we never do before like instead of going to the movie you go out n feed the poor n needy In the soup kitchen. It sound easy but to some people this kind of method of God in answering our prayers for providence is very very inconvenient .

Joe and Cora F

5/30/2020 09:24:34 pm

What is the message that God is trying to give us from the sermon ..Rejecting Providence ?
God is the giver of good gifts, but because of our discontented behavior we lose focus on the good providences . So from this sermon we learned that God , by allowing Him day by day to trust Him that however , where ever ,whenever and whatever He gives us , his providence is always the best for us .

Discussion Questions 5/30/20

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