Groups Discussion Guide
Read Scripture. Go Deeper. Ask Questions. Take Action.
The Weight of When
Scripture
25 So they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob. 26 And they told him, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them. 27 But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. 28 And Israel said, “It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.”
Main Idea
In today's scripture, Jacob finds out there is a possibility his son is still alive after believing him to be dead for 20+ years. His initial response was numbness or cynicism. The long delay had caused him to doubt that there was reason to hope. Jacob doesn’t disbelieve because he lacks faith —He disbelieves because he has lived in disappointment too long. Sometimes our struggle is less with what we carry and has more to do with how long we have carried it
The common phrase 'God will not give you more than you can handle' is neither accurate nor in the Bible. When burdens become heavy, we are to give them to God, as he can handle the weight.
- Blessings and burdens are both heavy: this depends on how you carry it. Feeling pressure, means you have purpose. Feeling stretched, means you are reaching. We want our stories to be neat and tidy. We want our testimony to wrap up with a nice, neat bow. But our testimonies are evidence of traction in our lives.
- A testimony is simply evidence that God is moving me forward: rejoice and share where God is moving and showing up in your life -small and big - don't ignore God's incremental miracles in your life. If we wait for conclusions to celebrated, the waiting can keep us weighted down.
- You can see the weight or you can see the way: Even with the weight you’re carrying, God knows how to move you forward. God will help you carry what he has called you to. His helps he provides:
- God has put people in your life.
- God has put a church in your life.
- God has put a pastor in your life.
- God has put leaders in your life.
- When you feel the weight, begin to worship: as Jacob journeyed to Egypt, he made a stop before entering the desert and he worshipped through sacrifice. God spoke to him. Worship allows us to give something heavy to God and he gives us something in return. When it feels heavy, lean in to worship and give God the weight. This is the weight of when
"When delay is long, doubt gets loud"
Discussion Questions
1. What is something you can testify to that God has done through you this week?
2.What are some weights you carry?
3.What are some things that keep us carrying those weights alone?
4.Jacob worshipped and God met him there. Share a time when you felt God's hand after you have worshipped/sacrifced
Summary
Our burdens were not meant to be carried alone. They are to cause us to feel the need for God to rescue and relieve us. God has given us community, leaders, friends, sacrifice, and worship to help us carry the load.
Take Action
1. invite afriend to attend church with you
2 Raise your hands during prayer or singing and feel for a shift inside your spirit
3 Give an offering of sacrifice
