STUDY NOTES
VISION 2017 // NEW CITY CHURCH
The following content is based on the message “Vision 2017//Day 12 People” on 1/8/17 at New City Church in Phoenix, AZ. The following is not meant to be a full synopsis but rather a brief look at the main ideas. To use this Study Guide effectively you must listen to the message found at https://newcityphx.com/sermons/.
Leaders using these Study Notes for group study and reflection should read the Biblical text thoroughly before beginning, using this resource as assistance and not relying solely on this material for insight. We encourage all leaders to pray and ask the Spirit for revelation as they lead their respective communities.
PRAYER
Pray and ask God to lead the discussion as everyone gets to share.
SCRIPTURE: DUETERONOMY 1:1-38
IN THE WILDERNESS FOR TOO LONG
A journey that should have taken 11 days ending with Israel going into the promised land on day 12, ended up taking the Israelites 40 years to complete. God promised them a land to dwell in, and gave them vision of how to take it, but it was too scary for them to believe.
- Why did it take the Israelites 14,600 days rather than 11 days to enter the promised land?
- How have you felt like the Israelites wandering in the wilderness?
WAS THERE AN EASIER WAY?
The Israelites wanted an easier way than the way God laid out before them. After wandering around in the desert, they came to the promised land again. And again, God told them to enter into it, but they were afraid.
- What do you think about the Israelites when you see how they refused trust God?
- What vision may God be calling you to that you need to get on board with him about?
God is a god of movement. He has a journey for us. Yet, if you have followed Jesus for any length of time, you know that the journey may not be what we expect. It may be harder than we thought. It often takes more faith to trust God’s plan. For Israel, the way that God wanted them to go would have led to a more “successful” journey. However, that isn’t always the case. If you want to do anything great and meaningful that honors God, it will be a battle!
- Why is it always easier to see God working in someone else’s story?
- What if God takes you on a journey that doesn’t lead to your success in the eyes of people? How would you handle this type of journey?
- What is the difference between doing something with significance and egotism? How can we guard against egotism?
GOD IS WITH US ON THE JOURNEY
Deuteronomy 1:29-30 says, “Do not be in dread or afraid of them. The Lord your God who goes before you will himself fight for you, just as he did for you in Egypt before your eyes,”. If God is the one calling you, then you will need him to do the work. We often try to “power up” and do the work in our own strength.
- Like Israel should have looked back at how God worked in their journey, take a moment to share a time in your life where you can see God at work in a difficult situation.
- Where do you think God is working in your story where you are having a hard time trusting him? How can we pray for you in this journey?
- Pray with each other as you try to trust God’s plan for your life and get on board with him.