THE STORY
Divine Intervention
PARTICIPANT’S GUIDE
THE STORY - TABLE OF CONTENTS
UPPER & LOWER STORY (p. 2)
THE PURPOSE OF SMALL GROUPS (p. 3)
GROUP GUIDELINES (p. 4)
DIVINE INTERVENTION
CHAPTER 4-6
CHAPTER 4: MOSES: DELIVERANCE (p. 5-8)
PASSAGES COVERED: Exodus 1-7; 10-17
OVERVIEW: God is in control no matter what the circumstances - He is the ultimate Deliverer. His upper story
plans don’t always make sense in our lower story understanding. He sees a bigger picture and has a better purpose.
He is faithful to His promises and will deliver; but deliverance is not the same as preventing everything difficult. His
upper story plans include walking with us through difficulties ot display what He is like to our own hearts and to
others watching.
CHAPTER 5: NEW COMMANDS AND A NEW COVENANT (p. 9-12)
PASSAGES COVERED: Exodus 19-20; 24-25; 32-34; 40
OVERVIEW: God wants to dwell with us so he shows us how to treat Him and each other. At the core of God’s
upper story He is creating a way to restore the relationships between people and Himself and people with each
other. He made a covenant and gave a set of commandments to the Israelites to demonstrate the value and priority
of these two relationships in the midst of their lower stories. Our lower story is connected to His upper story because
He chooses to dwell with us through Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
CHAPTER 6: WANDERING (p. 13-16)
PASSAGES COVERED: Numbers 10-14; 20-21; 25; 27; Deuteronomy 1-2; 4; 6; 8-9; 29-30; 34
OVERVIEW: God is worthy of our trust even when we don’t want to … when we are afraid, when we are
overwhelmed, when we think we are self-sufficient. We forget that His upper story is at work and we only think of
what we want in our own lower story; we begin to wander. The incredible thing is God is available to us in the midst
of our consequences. He went with the Israelite nation. He displayed His mighty power in enduring them, guiding,
providing water, food, shoes that did not wear out, so that they would know that He was God. He waited and
displayed His faithfulness while they wandered, while they experienced the consequences of their distrust and
unfaithfulness.
APPENDIX:
A - Chapter 4 Homework (p. 17-18)
B - Chapter 5 Homework (p. 19-20)
C - Chapter 6 Homework (p. 21-22)
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UPPER & LOWER STORY
DEFINITION OF TERMS
As we go through The Story there are a couple terms that we will be using that would be good for all
of us to start with a similar definition.
UPPER STORY:
The upper story is how God is at work bringing about His plan. God’s heart and purpose
is to have a people who dwell with Him eternally and proclaim Him to the world as they
are in relationship with each other. This is the core of His upper story.
LOWER STORY:
The lower story is how God’s plan is being worked out in human history – including the
human stories we read in the Bible AND in our own lives. The Bible tells of how His upper
story is worked out in the time and space of human history. This lower story gives us
guidance and examples as we live our lower story in this slice of history.
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THE PURPOSE OF SMALL GROUPS
We are committed to a small group ministry as one of the most effective means of building relationships,
creating authentic community, stimulating spiritual growth, and developing servant leaders within the Body
of Christ
Vision
“Our passion is to know Christ and to make Him known.”
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in
the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.”
- John 15:4
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all
your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your
neighbor as yourself.’”
- Matthew 22:37-39
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to
me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- Matthew 28:18-20
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of
bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed
by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold
property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet
together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad
and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added
to their number daily those who were being saved.
- Acts 2:42-47
The above Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973,
1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
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GROUP GUIDELINES
Setting some basic group guidelines for how we will honor one another in our group discussions is important.
• Ground rules give boundaries for people to operate within.
• They help with the flow and pace of the discussions.
• They help us value one another.
• They help people to be more comfortable sharing deep and meaningful things.
Transparency: It’s difficult to love someone God has called us to love without really knowing them in a deep and
meaningful way. We’re encouraging you to share from your heart -- to let down your walls, so that others can
really know you. This isn’t just struggles and fears, but also the positives -- dreams, hopes, answered prayers,
etc. We understand it is easier for some, and we’ll respect your boundaries.
No Convincing: Share your opinions -- a difference in opinion is welcome. However, please don’t try to convince
others to your way of thinking.
Listen: Let’s value one another during the discussions by really listening to what is being shared. Hear what’s
being said -- don’t be thinking about what you’re going to say next or how you’re going to respond -- really
listen. Be aware of how much you are talking -- we want to give everyone a chance to share in the group.
Pause: After someone shares, give a pause to allow the group to feel the weight of what was just shared and to
fully consider it before the next person shares. This also provides the opportunity for the person sharing to
continue their thought without feeling rushed.
Don’t Fix: Let’s try to hear what people are sharing without trying to fix them. If they want your advice, they’ll
ask for it. (It’s okay to ask permission to enter in.)
Don’t Rescue: When someone is sharing something deeply personal and/or painful, there can be a tendency to
try to make them feel better about themselves or the situation. Often this will cause people to stop sharing
and results in their not going as deeply as they might have gone. Resist the temptation to rescue people.
No Cross-talk: Be considerate of others as they are sharing -- don’t be having side conversations.
Focus on Yourself: This is one time that it is all about you. It’s easy to talk about the issues of others (friends,
family members, teachers, bosses); but in this group, talk about yourself. Try to use “I” statements rather than
“them”, “us”, “we”, etc.
Confidentiality: What happens in small group, stays in small group. Everyone needs to feel they can share openly
without fear that what they say will become public knowledge. This builds trust and strengthens relationships.
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04
MOSES:
DELIVERANCE
The Story: Chapter 4 | Bible passages: Exodus 1-7; 10-17
DURING THE WEEK: Read the chapter during the week before
the sermon and small group. Make time daily with God to know Him and His
heart through time in His Word, prayer and reflection. Below chapter 4 is
separated into five days of reading.
CALLED
SIGNS &
PLAGUES
PASSOVER
EXODUS
JOURNEY
Pages 43-47 Pages 47-50 Pages 50-52 Pages 52-55 Pages 55-57
GROUP TIME:
• Opening Prayer
• Announcements
• Guidelines
GETTING TO KNOW YOU:
• Tell of a time you got lost because you didn’t ask for directions.
• Describe a time in your life when you wished you could “part the sea” to
get out of a sticky or troublesome situation.
WATCH THE DVD and/or READ Chapter 4 Together
DISCUSS: From the Chapter
• Name the 10 plagues. Why do you think it was so important that the
Egyptians realize the plagues were only for them?
• The Israelites attitude changed when they had to make bricks without
straw. What does your attitude do when life get more difficult?
• After having been delivered from great danger, the Israelites sang with
joy! Psalms and hymns can be great ways to express relief, praise, and
thanks when you have been through trouble. Choose a Psalm, Song or
Hymn to read, sing or recite with the group right now.
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DISCUSS: From the DVD
• Why is Moses the worst choice in the lower story? Why is he the best
choice in the upper story?
• Tell of a time when you felt unworthy for a task God was calling you to
do, or gave excuses to Him for not feeling you were capable of it.
• Pharaoh moments are those times when you realize that something or
someone has control over you. How do you approach Pharaoh moments
in your everyday life?
DISCUSS: From the Sermon
1. _______________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________
DISCUSS: From the Homework (appendix A)
• What is something that stuck out to you from the homework?
• Is there a question or questions that you need answered from the
homework?
PRAYER:
• Write down group prayer request and praises/celebrations on the
following page.
• Remind your group that these requests must remain confidential in order
to build a community of trust.
• Take time to ask for personal requests, focusing on each member and his
or her needs.
• Break your group up by gender if you feel members will be more open
and honest.
NEXT WEEK’S READING:
• The Story: Chapter 5
• Bible passages: Exodus 19-20; 24-25; 32-34; 40
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PRAYER
Date: _____/_____/_____
NAME
REQUEST
7
CELEBRATE/ PRAISE
NOTES
8
05
NEW COMMANDS
AND A NEW COVENANT
The Story: Chapter 5 | Bible passages: Exodus 19-20; 24-25; 32-34; 40
DURING THE WEEK: Read the chapter during the week before
the sermon and small group. Make time daily with God to know Him and His
heart through time in His Word, prayer and reflection. Below chapter 5 is
separated into five days of reading.
KINGDOM
NEW
COVENANT
OF PRIESTS COMMANDS
GOLDEN
CALF
MERCIFUL
GOD
Pages 59-61 Pages 61-62 Pages 62-64 Pages 64-67 Pages 67-70
GROUP TIME:
• Opening Prayer
• Announcements
• Guidelines
GETTING TO KNOW YOU:
• If you were given a million dollars, what’s the first thing you would do?
• Share a time when you took the blame for something you didn’t do in
order to spare someone else the punishment.
WATCH THE DVD and/or READ Chapter 5 Together
DISCUSS: From the Chapter
• Why did God give the Israelites the Ten Commandments?
• Moses said, “Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the
fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.” What does it mean
to not be afraid, but to fear God? How does your answer impact the way
you view God?
• Just when we think that all is going well, along comes a Golden Calf.
Despite all that God has done for us, we sometimes reject Him as our one
and only God. How can you resist being so easily distracted by the ‘gods’
in your life?
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DISCUSS: From the DVD
• In the video Randy Frazee mentioned that God shared his vision with
the Israelites that He wanted something He had lost. What was it that
God wanted to get back? What three things were required of the
Israelites for this to happen?
• What does it look like for you to give a place for God to reside in your
life?
• Randy mentioned that when Moses returned with the Ten
Commandments that the Israelites had been worshipping the Golden
Calf. Identify a “Golden Calf” in your life and discuss how you might crush
it like Moses crushed the Golden Calf of the Israelites.
DISCUSS: From the Sermon
1. _______________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________
DISCUSS: From the Homework (appendix B)
• What is something that stuck out to you from the homework?
• Is there a question or questions that you need answered from the
homework?
PRAYER:
• Write down group prayer request and praises/celebrations on the
following page.
• Remind your group that these requests must remain confidential in order
to build a community of trust.
• Take time to ask for personal requests, focusing on each member and
his or her needs.
• Break your group up by gender if you feel members will be more open
and honest.
NEXT WEEK’S READING:
• The Story: Chapter 6
• Bible passages: Numbers 10-14; 20-21; 25; 27;
Deuteronomy 1-2; 4; 6; 8-9; 29-30; 34
10
PRAYER
Date: _____/_____/_____
NAME
REQUEST
11
CELEBRATE/ PRAISE
NOTES
12
06
WANDERING:
The Story: Chapter 6 | Bible passages: Numbers 10-14;20-21; 25; 27
Deuteronomy 1-2; 4; 6; 8-9; 29-30; 34
DURING THE WEEK: Read the chapter during the week before
the sermon and small group. Make time daily with God to know Him and His
heart through time in His Word, prayer and reflection. Below chapter 6 is
separated into five days of reading.
OPPOSITION REBELLION
NEXT
CHANCE
MOSES’
FAREWELL
CHOICE
Pages 71-74 Pages 74-78 Pages 78-83 Pages 83-85 Pages 85-88
GROUP TIME:
• Opening Prayer
• Announcements
• Guidelines
GETTING TO KNOW YOU:
• Describe the best and/or worst road trip you’ve ever taken.
• Have you named the voice on your GPS device? If so, what is it?
WATCH THE DVD and/or READ Chapter 6 Together
DISCUSS: From the Chapter
• God had shown the Israelites examples of His power on many different
levels, but they always ended up doubting Him. Discuss the examples
you can think of of God showing the Israelites His power.
• The Israelites struggled with putting their faith into obedience. They knew
who God was and had seen him provide for them. How does your
knowledge of God and his faithfulness impact your obedience to him?
• The Israelites saw God provide for them during their 40 years of
wandering. Talk about a time when God provided for you in your life.
Explain how that encouraged you to do whatever He called you to do.
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DISCUSS: From the DVD
• How long did God delay the Israelite from reaching Canaan? Why did
God make them wait so long?
• What is your biggest obstacle in fully trusting God’s direction of your life?
• What is something God is calling you to do that you are struggling with?
What is holding you back from obedience? And what is one way you will
trust in the Lord to help you through?
DISCUSS: From the Sermon
1. _______________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________
DISCUSS: From the Homework (appendix C)
• What is something that stuck out to you from the homework?
• Is there a question or questions that you need answered from the
homework?
PRAYER:
• Write down group prayer request and praises/celebrations on the
following page.
• Remind your group that these requests must remain confidential in order
to build a community of trust.
• Take time to ask for personal requests, focusing on each member and his
or her needs.
• Break your group up by gender if you feel members will be more open
and honest.
NEXT WEEK’S READING:
• The Story: Chapter 7
• Bible passages: Joshua 1-2; 6; 8; 10-11; 23-24
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PRAYER
Date: _____/_____/_____
NAME
REQUEST
15
CELEBRATE/ PRAISE
NOTES
16
APPENDIX “A” - Homework for Chapter 4
1. What insight, principle or observation from this weekend’s messages did you find to be most helpful,
eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.
2. Read Exodus 1-3. Then answer these questions:
a. How does what was happening to the Israelites during the time the Lord called Moses relate to the
promise God made Abraham 565 years earlier in Genesis 15: 13-14?
b. After Pharaoh died, how did the new King decide to deal with the growing number of Israelites in
Egypt? Why was it important for the Egyptians to kill every Hebrew boy?
c. What two things were the Egyptians afraid might happen with the Israelites, and why?
3. Read Exodus 4-7. Then answer these questions:
a. How did Moses see himself and his abilities? How did God see Moses and his abilities?
b. What are the three signs God told Moses to use to prove to the Israelites that he was send by the
Lord?
c. What punishment did Pharaoh give the Israelites after Moses and Aaron asked for the three days in
the wilderness? Why did Pharaoh claim the Israelites wanted time away?
4. Read Exodus 10-12. Then answer these questions:
a. Write a list of the plagues the Lord sent in Egypt.
b. Exodus 12 describes for us what the Passover was all about. How does what is described in this
passage correlate with what Jesus did on the cross?
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c. What was the population of the Israelites when they were freed from Egypt and how long had they
been slaves in Egypt?
5. Read Exodus 13-15. Then answer these questions:
a. What did the Israelites have to give back to God each year?
b. Whose bones did Moses take with him when they left Egypt?
c. What is the song of Moses & Miriam about?
6. Read Exodus 16-17. Then answer these questions:
a. How much food were the Israelites to gather each day? What happened if they gathered more than
they were supposed to? How long did God provide this food for them?
b. At the Rock of Horeb, what did God provide to the Israelites?
c. What allowed the Israelites to defeat the Amalekites?
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APPENDIX “B” - Homework for Chapter 5
1. What insight, principle or observation from this weekend’s messages did you find to be most helpful,
eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.
2. Read Exodus 18-19. Then Answer these questions:
a.
What advice did Jethro give Moses?
b. What was required of the Israelites in order to receive the promise of God?
c.
In what physical way did God say he would come? What was the purpose of coming in that way?
d. In the Ten Commandments, what things are said about how the Israelites are to treat God?
e.
What things are said about how the Israelites are to treat each other?
3. Read Exodus 20-23. Then answer the following question:
a.
Write out the Ten Commandments. If you feel creative, decorate the page, paint them, sew them
with needlepoint, burn them in wood, carve them in stone, etc.
4. Read Exodus 24-25. Then answer these questions:
a.
Why did God want Moses to ask for donations from the Israelites?
b. Why does God give the Israelites such detail for the Tabernacle?
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c.
Describe the Ark of the Covenant as described in the Bible.
5. Read Exodus 32. Then answer these questions:
a.
Why does Aaron tell Moses he made the Golden Calf?
b. Where did Aaron get the materials to make the Golden Calf?
c.
What arguments does Moses use to plead with God for the Israelites? And why does he plead for
God to save them?
6. Read Exodus 33-34, 40. Then answer these questions:
a.
In Exodus 33, the Lord tells Moses He will pass by in all His Glory and He will cover Moses until he
passes then allow Moses to see His back. Why wasn’t Moses allowed to see God’s face?
b. Why did God warn Moses not to let the Israelites make treaties or marry people in Canaan?
c.
When Moses returned from Mt. Sinai the Israelites saw there was something different about him.
What was it? What made him appear different?
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APPENDIX “C” - Homework for Chapter 6
1. What insight, principle or observation from this weekend’s messages did you find to be most helpful,
eye-opening, or troubling? Explain.
2. Read Numbers 10-12. Then answer these questions:
a. Why did the people eat quail? How long did the people eat quail? What happened to them because
of their desire for meat?
b. How did Miriam and Aaron challenge Moses? And what was God’s response to them?
c. How did Aaron show repentance? What can we learn from this about speaking against legitimate,
God-given authority?
3. Read Numbers 13-14. Then answer these questions:
a. After the spies returned from Canaan and gave their account of the land, why did God make the
Israelites wait 40 years to move into the Promised Land?
b. Joshua and Caleb tried to convince the people not to rebel. How did they do this?
c. How did God punish the rebellion?
4. Read Numbers 20-21; 25; 27. Then answer these questions:
a. How did Moses disobey God? What consequences did that bring?
b. Why did God send snakes among the Israelites? What did the Israelites have to do if they were bitten
by the snakes?
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c. In Numbers 25, what did the Israelites do in Peor? What was God’s judgment on them? How was the
plague ended?
5. Read Deuteronomy 1-2; 4; 6. Then answer these questions:
a. How did Moses choose which spies would go into the Promised Land?
b. Write out Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
6. Read Deuteronomy 8-9; 29-30; 34. Then answer these questions:
a. What was the way of life and prosperity? (Deut 30:14-16) And what was the way of death and
destruction? (17)
b. Why was Moses not allowed to go into the Promised Land?
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THE STORY
Divine Intervention
PARTICIPANT’S GUIDE
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
201 N. Division | Sandpoint, Idaho 83864
208.263.4818 | www.1stchristian.com