Leader Guide week of October 14th.

Small Group Leaders Guide
October 14, 2007

Small Group Announcements (please announce these to your group).



Small Group Study Questions:

October 14, 2007
Can You Hear Me Now?
Getting Started:

1. What cell phone company do you use? Do you get good coverage or not?

2. Can you think of a time that God used circumstances (e.g. open doors, or closed doors, etc) to guide you or teach you?

Going Deeper:

3. In the Bible, what are some of the different ways that God speaks?

• Psalm 19:1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
• Exodus 3:4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!"
• Psalm 89:19 Once you spoke in a vision,
• Psalm 99:7
• Isaiah 20:2
• Hebrews 1:1-2

4. Which of those do you most depend on, and why?


5. Hypothetically, if a Christian wanted to marry a non-Christian, should the Christian pray about it? Why or why not? What would be the best way for a person to “hear” God’s voice regarding such a question?

• Most Christians would agree on the clear teaching of scripture that believers should not marry unbelievers.
• Is it possible that God would direct a Christian to violate His own clear teaching in Scripture? Would God make a special exception for a person who was sincerely desiring to commit a biblically sinful act for a really good reason?
• If these questions sound a bit silly, they should! God will never contradict Himself or His Word.
• God uses the sinful acts of people to accomplish His will. He does not cause the sinful acts of people to accomplish His will.
• Fortunately, we have God’s answers to many questions in writing. We call it the Bible. Prayer is vital, important, and Biblical, but it is no substitute for Bible study.

6. In Numbers 22 God used circumstances (an uncooperative donkey) to get Balaam’s attention. Can you think of stories in the Bible where God used events to direct someone or get their attention?


7. Is it possible to read too much into life’s events? For example, if I stubbed my toe in the shower today, does that mean God was trying to teach me something through that circumstance? What would the danger be in “over-spiritualizing” every event or circumstance in a person’s life? How do you find the right balance?


8. Read Numbers 22:5-20. In verse 12 God said, “Do not go with them” Why do you think Balaam went a second time to God to ask permission for something he already knew the answer for? Read Numbers 22:15-17.


9. In verse 20 God tells Balaam to “go with them”. Why do you think God changed His mind? Is this an example of God contradicting Himself?

• We should remember what the purpose of the journey was. Balak wanted Balaam to speak a curse against the Israelites. In verses 12 and 35 God tells Balaam to speak only what He tells him to speak.
• The journey with the donkey and the conversation that takes place along the road could be a teaching that when God opposes something, the proper response is to turn away as the donkey did. God seems to be telling Balaam that even his donkey knows this truth. God’s anger seems to be directed toward Balaam’s disobedience to the answer that God gave the first time.

10. Read verse 22. What do you think it was that God was “very angry” about, so much so that He was ready to kill Balaam?


Putting it into practice:

1) In light of the different ways that God speaks, what is one action you can take to “increase coverage”?

2) Specifically, what can you do to be more receptive to when God might be speaking to you through the events of life?





Quote Of The Day
Never confuse the will of the majority with the will of God.
--Charles Colson





My Comments (for small group leaders and co-leaders)

Don’t forget to check out the small group leader blog at newlifegroups.blogspot.com
Feel free to offer comments and suggestions by clicking the comments on the blog post.
I look forward to hearing from you!