The Compass

A Daily Personal Reflection & Small Group Discussion Guide

by John Hay, Jr.
Senior Pastor, West Morris Street Free Methodist Church

Series: MOSES TODAY
Week's focus: Burning Bush, Living Word- 3rd in a series
Scriptures: Exodus 3:1-4:17
Week of: September 24, 2006

TRACKING THE WORD IN WORSHIP
Note these principles from the Word for later recall, reflection & application

1. God meets Moses in the ordinary places of his fugitive life…and it becomes holy ground. Exodus 3:1-6

2. God reveals his compassion and name from within a burning bush…and history begins to turn. Exodus 3:7-10

3. God challenges Moses to be the one to bear His name, speak His Word, and deliver His people…in spite of his resistance and weaknesses. Exodus 3:11-14, 4:1-17

GUIDED JOURNALING / DISCUSSION
Explore these questions in personal devotions or group discussion

1. Read Exodus 3:1-6. Have you ever had an experience in which something normal or ordinary took on extraordinary and holy aspects? What made you aware that God was in the midst of the ordinary? How do you see God at work in the ordinary places of your life today? Pray for eyes to see and ears to hear God speaking and acting in the dailyness of your world.

2. Read Exodus 3:7-10. What does God reveal about his character and desire in these verses? Over what situation does God have compassion? What is God's desire for the Israelites in the future? What makes you think of God as compassionate? Why? What makes you aware that God desires a secure and promising future for you? Discuss or journal your responses.

3. Read Exodus 3:11-14. What is Moses concerned about in the mission God wants him to undertake? What does God say or offer to Moses in response to his questions? How does it help you to know that God is with you as you go forward? Why do you think the name of God is so important to Moses? How does it matter to you today that you are going forward in life at the call and with the presence of the God of Moses? Discuss or journal your responses.

4. Read Exodus 4:1-17. List the further resistances does Moses put up before God. Why do you think Moses resists on these particular points? What does God offer Moses in each instance? It is interesting that God takes what Moses already has in his hand to be an instrument of deliverance. What do you have or hold that God can use to express His compassion, relief, and release?

MARKINGS LEFT BY PREVIOUS TRAVELERS
Consider what other believers have shared about this Scripture

HOLY GROUND "What is 'holy ground'? And why is it important to 'stand' there? Simply stated, it is the turf that has come under the touch of God, and it cannot be produced by human actions. Only God can make anything holy…God is inviting Moses to commit to the basic fact of every human life: to stand up with God, I must come to Him on the terms of His holiness, not my own." -- Jack Hayford in Destiny & Deliverance

BEYOND MY LIMITS "To step out of his shoes was an action with clear implications: 'I step out of what I have produced into the possibilities that You have created.' If the place you stand is the realm of your own creation, you will always remain limited to your own capacities. So come, taste, and test the potential of walking into God's creative possibilities." - Jack Hayford in Destiny & Deliverance

"HERE I AM" "Here is the moment that is anticipated from the beginning of the Book of Exodus, perhaps even from the moment of Creation… 'Here I am' is the response of every mortal who is called to some sacral act by God. But here and now, as spoken by Moses, the phrase rings with both wonder and terror: Moses is fully aware and alert to the divine revelation that will put an end to his quiet life as a shepherd in Midian and put him on the road to a grand and terrible fate." - Jonathan Kirsch in Moses: A Life

RESPONSES & OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE
Want to explore The Compass with others? Have questions?

If you'd like to connect with others who are working weekly with The Compass, e-mail me or call the church office (317.632.8311)

If you have questions about Scriptures or some of the questions, or just want to share what your are discovering through The Compass, you are welcome to e-mail me.

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