Where Does Hope Come From?

We tend to think of Moses as a God-like figure, but that’s not what the Bible tells us. The guy who led the Israelites to the Promised Land was human, just like us, with all kinds of things he had to learn along the way. About himself. About God. About leadership, humility, and hope.

Questions for discussion developed by Lori Benjamin.

Sermon #1: Hope Beyond our Fight and Flight

Questions for discussion:

1. What alternatives did Moses have, besides fighting or fleeing, in this story?
2. What triggers you to anger or fear? How do you manage those emotions?
3. In what ways do we, as a community, live out Jesus’ call to love each other?
4. Where do we find hope in a world that seems increasingly fearful and violent?
5. How can the church provide a safe space for helping people deal with disagreements?
6. How can the church support those in our community who suffer with the ongoing fear of social exclusion, bullying, or threats of violence?

Sermon #2: Hope Comes with Clear Vision

Questions for discussion:

1. Where in your life have you failed or felt broken?
2. Did you find healing for that brokenness? Where and how?
3. In what ways do we appreciate our God-given gifts and talents?
4. In what ways do we discount our God-given gifts and talents?
5. How can the church provide a safe space to help people follow their dreams and share their unique gifts with the world?

Sermon #3: Hope Comes When We Share the Load

Questions for discussion:

1. Can you think of a time when you played the martyr, unable to share responsibility because “no one else can do it right?”
2. What are some ways that we do share the load in our community?
3. What do you have to give up, to share the load? What do you gain?
4. Can you think of a time when you helped someone else discover they were good at something? How did that feel?
5. How have people in your life helped you discover your own gifts?
6. What are the qualities of a good leader?
7. Who are the people in our community who may enjoy sharing their gifts, but who may need some encouragement to overcome their fear or shame?
8. How can the church be a safe space to help people blossom and grow?

Sermon #4: Hope Comes When We Reach the Promise Land

Questions for discussion:

1. How do you define the Kingdom of God?
2. In what ways do you see the Kingdom of God here on earth?
3. What does it mean to you, to manifest God’s grace each day?
4. In what ways are we so busy waiting for God’s Kingdom to come that we don’t have eyes to see it?
5. How can the church help people manifest the Kingdom of God in their lives?