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Way-maker
sermon guide
We find ourselves living in unprecedented times.
The first name the Bible uses to describe God is the Hebrew word Elohim. It is used over 2500 times throughout the Old Testament. He is a creator God who spoke the world into existence.
Have someone read Genesis 1:1; Exodus 3:13-15; Proverbs 18:10; Isaiah 40:28.
What comes into your mind when you hear God created the world ex nihilo, which means “out of nothing”?
Gene talked about the remake of Honey, I Shrunk the Kids and how since the beginning of time, people have been shrinking God down, making Him smaller than He really is.
What is an area of your life that you have shrunk God down in?
If God can make something from nothing, imagine what He can do for you, in your life, at this time.
Share a time when you were in stormy situation and not sure if God was listening to you. How did He calm that storm? (Or share a storm you are currently going through.)
Brennan Manning in his little book Ruthless Trust says: “To trust is to be absolutely convinced of the reliability of God.” Gene explained that to know Elohim, to trust in the reliability of our Creator means that no matter what happens to us in this life… no matter how daunting the headlines are… no matter how tough the economy gets… no matter what kind of storms blow into our life or into the life of this church… our response to fear will always be faith… we will unconditionally TRUST GOD.
Right now, we are all living in uncertainty. What have you been thinking along these lines? It is healthy to express your fears, to take a look at them rather than keeping them bottled up. Discuss what it looks like and feels like to trust God in these times.
Have someone read Exodus 3:14.
The second name we see is the one God calls Himself. It’s written in Scripture as Yahweh or Jehovah, and in modern English translations, we’ll often see it as the word LORD in capital letters. It means “I am, I have always been, I will always be.” Gene reminds us that He is God and we are NOT. The bigger I make myself, the smaller I make God. When I realize how small I really am, I can see how huge God is. We turn to Him to fill us with greater faith, strength, peace and security when we realize who He is and His love for us.
Gene shared the story of Moses going to the burning bush in Exodus. When God told Moses to go to Pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses asked God, “Who am I?”
Where in your life has God asked or called you to do something that you have asked, “Who am I?
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What does it look like if we follow what God has asked us to do or called us to do with the knowledge that He is always with us?
How does that make you feel knowing that the Creator of the Universe loves you and walks alongside you?
wrap up
Have each person share their requests. Ask someone to type them up and share with the group. This week spend time daily praying for your group.
If you do not currently use an app such as GroupMe, we would suggest you give it a try. It is a great way to keep in touch throughout the week.