06.24.07
Small Group Plan - June 24, 2007
“Rules For The Road”
Small Group Plan
June 24, 2007
Dear Group Leader…
Johnson Oatman wrote:
I’m pressing on the upward way,
New heights I’m gaining every day;
Still praying as I’m onward bound,
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
The assumption behind his words is change. And every time we sing this wonderful hymn we are asking God to show us more, to take us further, and to lead us from where we are to where we can be.
But how do we really feel about asking God to bring change into our lives?
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· Why do we like to take pictures of our trips?
· How do we use the pictures?
· What would you have captured on film if you had been at the Jordan crossing? Why?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
WAITING – Joshua 3:1-3a
1 Early in the morning Joshua and all the Israelites set out from Shittim and went to the Jordan, where they camped before crossing over. 2 After three days the officers went throughout the camp, 3 giving orders to the people.
· Imagine you are an Israelite. After years of wandering and wondering, what would you be thinking during the three days at the Jordan?
· Would you be excited, afraid, or both? Explain.
· Since the Jordan is at flood stage, why does God choose to cross now?
· What helps you prepare for transition?
CROSSING – Joshua 3:3b-6
3 “When you see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests, who are Levites, carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. 4 Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about a thousand yards between you and the ark; do not go near it.” 5 Joshua told the people, “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you.” 6 Joshua said to the priests, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass on ahead of the people.” So they took it up and went ahead of them.
· What part did the ark play in the crossing? What did it represent?
· Why were the people supposed to follow the ark (Vs. 3, 11)?
· Imagine – What were the priests thinking and feeling as they got closer to the edge of the river?
· What inspires you to take the first step toward change?
LEADING – Joshua 3:7-11
7 And the LORD said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses. 8 Tell the priests who carry the ark of the covenant: ‘When you reach the edge of the Jordan’s waters, go and stand in the river.’” 9 Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the LORD your God. 10 This is how you will know that the living God is among you and that he will certainly drive out before you the Canaanites, Hittites, Hivites, Perizzites, Girgashites, Amorites and Jebusites. 11 See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you.
· “The Lord said to Joshua … Joshua said to the Israelites.” Why didn’t Joshua tell the people that God planned to exalt him in their eyes?
· What does Joshua teach us about humble leadership?
· Identify the three ways that Joshua describes God (Vs. 9, 10, 11). Describe what happens when God’s leaders look to God for leadership?
· What impresses you the most about Joshua – his strength or his humility? Explain.
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· How was the Jordan crossing similar to the Red Sea crossing?
· What are our “crossing moments” today?
· Why didn’t God overcome all of Israel’s obstacles as easily as He did the Jordan crossing?
· Why doesn’t God immediately overcome all of our obstacles?
· God’s promise to Israel required movement. Are there promises God has given to us that require us to act in order to receive?
Close by praying for courage and confidence in facing our giants.