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: First Lessons In the Wilderness
Scriptures: Exodus 15:22-17:6
Week of: October 22, 2006

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

1. The wilderness is a place of spiritual development for people whom God has delivered to glorify Him in a life drawn by faith.

2. You can get stuck in the wilderness, repeating a well-worn pattern, or you can learn, grow, and move forward. Ex. 15:22-27

The wilderness pattern (Charles R. Swindoll):
Abundance - we look up
Expectation - we look ahead
Disappointment - we look down
Complaint - we look back
Provision - we look around

3. If you don't use it to break through to faith, you will drag your wildernesses with you wherever you go. 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

4. God makes a way through your wilderness and provides a faith response in every trial. 1 Corinthians 10:13; Exodus 16:9-18

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

1. Read Exodus 15:22-27. What apparent crisis do the Israelites first face in the wilderness? What is their response? How does Moses respond? What does God provide? How do the people respond? What do you think they might have learned? What do you learn or take away from this as an enduring warning or promise?

2. Read Exodus 16:1-8. What second wilderness crisis does the Israelite community face? What is their response? How does Moses respond? What does God provide? How do the people respond? What do you think they might have learned? What do you learn from this?

3. Read Exodus 16:19-36. What was Moses' instruction about the quail and manna? What happened when the people did not follow this instruction? What lesson do you think they were intended to learn? Why is "storing up" or "hording" a threat to the life of faith? What are you learning about God's provision for your needs?

4. Read Exodus 17:1-7. What third wilderness crisis do the Israelites face? What is their response (again!)? How does Moses respond? How does God provide? Why do you think Moses names the place? If you were to name a few places of hardship, grumbling, and/or breakthrough, what might they be named? Explain your answer through journaling or discussion in your group.

MARKINGS LEFT BY PREVIOUS TRAVELERS
Consider what other believers have experienced and shared

IN THE WILDERNESS "God puts us in the wilderness to test us, to stretch our spiritual muscles. Our earthly wilderness experiences are designed to develop us into men and women of faith. Let's face it, our spiritual roots grow deep only when the winds around us are strong. Take away the tests, and we become spiritual wimps. But bring on the wilderness winds, and it's remarkable how we grow, as our roots dig firmly into faith." -- Charles R. Swindoll in Moses, A Man of Selfless Dedication

DISCONTENT IS ITS OWN PUNISHMENT "Discontent is a sin that is its own punishment and makes men torment themselves; it makes the spirit sad, the body sick, and all the enjoyments sour; it is the heaviness of the heart and the rottenness of the bones. It is a sin that is its own parent. It arises not from the condition, but from the mind. As we find Paul contented in a prison, so Ahab discontent in a palace." -- Matthew Henry

CHRIST'S SUFFERING "Christ was willing to suffer and be despised, and darest thou complain of anything?" -- Thomas a Kempis

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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