Groups Discussion Guide
Read Scripture. Go Deeper. Ask Questions. Take Action.
Don't Come Out Empty-Handed
Scripture
1 When the whole nation had finished crossing the Jordan, the Lord said to Joshua, 2 “Choose twelve men from among the people, one from each tribe, 3 and tell them to take up twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, from right where the priests are standing, and carry them over with you and put them down at the place where you stay tonight.”
4 So Joshua called together the twelve men he had appointed from the Israelites, one from each tribe, 5 and said to them, “Go over before the ark of the Lord your God into the middle of the Jordan. Each of you is to take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, 6 to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’ 7 tell them that the flow of the Jordan was cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. These stones are to be a memorial to the people of Israel forever.”
8 So the Israelites did as Joshua commanded them. They took twelve stones from the middle of the Jordan, according to the number of the tribes of the Israelites, as the Lord had told Joshua; and they carried them over with them to their camp, where they put them down.
Main Idea
Sometimes we miss the significance of a moment because of the package it comes in. This is one reason transition is difficult for us is, because it’s often in the context of loss that God calls us to go into what’s next. Even though it's a promise that we will go through difficult seasons, we don't have to come out of of them empty-handed. We can still approach God with faith, believing that the best is still ahead and use what we went through as a stepping stone for what's next.
Sometimes you have to get something out of what you went through to prepare your faith for where you’re going.
Discussion Questions
- How does the concept of consecration apply to your personal life, and what areas could you dedicate more fully to God?
- Reflect on a challenging experience in your life that turned into a stepping stone for growth. How did God work through that situation, and what "stone" of remembrance could you bring forward?
- Can you think of personal examples where your obedience to God's instruction resulted in unexpected blessings?
- What is it you're believing God for?
Summary
When the Israelites crossed the Jordan to enter the Promise Land, it was at the end of a trying season. Moses was no longer leading them, their future was uncertain, and everything behind them reminded them of their failure. But that didn't stop them from preparing for a miracle, and it didn't mean that everything behind them was bad. Similarly, God wants to use what we would like to forget to remind us that He has never forsaken us. The moments where we stumbled and yet God still brought us through are a reminder that He is always faithful.
Take Action
- This week take a moment to reflect on how God has worked in your life and what you're thankful for.
- Choose a Bible plan on the Bible app that delves deeper into the importance of giving.
- Make a plan to grow in your generosity next year.
Announcements
The Upon This Rock offering stays open until the end of the year. You can go to vel.city/rock to make your contribution to our year end vision offering.
