Preparing to Share
Preparing to Share
In Numbers 20 the people of God begin to move again. They have been in the wilderness for 40 years, and it is now finally time for them to resume their journey toward the Promised Land. We read of obstacles that pop up for them in their quest to move into the land, battles that must be fought, temptations that must be avoided, all sorts of things that make for interesting reading. And then we hit chapter 33. It’s a jolting, abrupt stop in the action. It leaves us screaming “WHY?”
Why has the action stopped? What is going on? Well, Moses has decided, for some reason, that it would be a good idea to make a list of all the places they have camped during their time in the wilderness. BORING. YAWN. Why does he do this? Why is it forever recorded as inspired words of God? Because they needed to remember. They needed to remember each camping spot, what happened there, how God came through for them there, what they learned in that spot. It was a way for Moses to help them remember, time after time, campground after campground, how God had been faithful.
Stopping to remember is so important for the shaping of our souls. When we are intentional to pause and remember specifically when, where, and how we have experienced God’s faithfulness to us, it helps us persevere in moving forward with the Lord. And this is the idea behind our sharing services: to stop and remember and share the “campgrounds” we’ve been in over the past weeks and months. Where has the Lord had us camping recently? What have we learned there? How can we share it in a way that will be encouraging to others? This is our goal this coming Sunday, so take some time to consider where you’ve been camped out with the Lord so far this year, and come prepared to share it next Sunday. Below are some questions that might be helpful in thinking about what to share:
As always, please be sure to limit your sharing time to 2-3 minutes, so that as many people as possible will have time to share!
In Numbers 20 the people of God begin to move again. They have been in the wilderness for 40 years, and it is now finally time for them to resume their journey toward the Promised Land. We read of obstacles that pop up for them in their quest to move into the land, battles that must be fought, temptations that must be avoided, all sorts of things that make for interesting reading. And then we hit chapter 33. It’s a jolting, abrupt stop in the action. It leaves us screaming “WHY?”
Why has the action stopped? What is going on? Well, Moses has decided, for some reason, that it would be a good idea to make a list of all the places they have camped during their time in the wilderness. BORING. YAWN. Why does he do this? Why is it forever recorded as inspired words of God? Because they needed to remember. They needed to remember each camping spot, what happened there, how God came through for them there, what they learned in that spot. It was a way for Moses to help them remember, time after time, campground after campground, how God had been faithful.
Stopping to remember is so important for the shaping of our souls. When we are intentional to pause and remember specifically when, where, and how we have experienced God’s faithfulness to us, it helps us persevere in moving forward with the Lord. And this is the idea behind our sharing services: to stop and remember and share the “campgrounds” we’ve been in over the past weeks and months. Where has the Lord had us camping recently? What have we learned there? How can we share it in a way that will be encouraging to others? This is our goal this coming Sunday, so take some time to consider where you’ve been camped out with the Lord so far this year, and come prepared to share it next Sunday. Below are some questions that might be helpful in thinking about what to share:
- What is a passage of scripture that the Lord has used in my life recently?
- Who is a person the Lord has used to encourage me or minister to me recently?
- What is a challenge or trial the Lord has used to teach me or deepen my faith in him?
- Is there a way in which the Lord has blessed me recently that has reminded me of his goodness?
- How has the Lord used my shepherding group or a Sunday school class this spring to encourage me or teach me in my faith?
As always, please be sure to limit your sharing time to 2-3 minutes, so that as many people as possible will have time to share!
Posted in Digging Deeper
Recent
Archive
2024
July
Being Smart with Smart PhonesFighting for Joy During the HolidaysThe Patriarch of PeaceMe and MaxChrist our ShepherdPromises of PeaceGrief and the HolidaysWhy the Old Testament is ImportantWalking Through PainBiblical Sexuality: Further ResourcesThe Sin of SodomSexuality ResourcesWhy a Fall FestivalSexuality and the GospelPlanning for PeopleThreat or Opportunity20 Traits of Biblical CommunityPeace Through Scripture MemoryThe Rat Race RiskWho I Am In ChristChild-like HumilityAn Animated Tour of PhilippiansDiscovering Spiritual GiftsPsalm 33Living the Dream: Repurposing SinLiving the Dream: ProsperityPancake DelightLiving the Dream: Cultivating FaithfulnessLife TogetherShould I Forgive an Unrepentant Person?Advent Booklet: Devotions for the Advent SeasonPractical PrayerAdvent | Comfort in SalvationComfort in AfflictionRemember That God RemembersA Theology of Racial ReconciliationA Practice of Racial ReconciliationQualifications of an ElderLook UpChasing EternityChasing Eternity: WisdomThe Season of LentChasing Eternity: TimeLiving the Dream: GuiltLiving the Dream: Forgotten?Faithfulness in Times of PlentyLiving the Dream: TestingLiving the Dream: CourageLiving the Dream: The Joseph StoryWhy a Spring Fling?Chasing Eternity: WorkChasing Eternity: Life and DeathPiano LessonsChasing Eternity: Wise WordsPreparing to ShareConversations With ChristBible Reading ResourcesThe Cure for LonelinessThe Loneliest Time of the YearSpending the Day with GodCreation Points us to ChristChrist's Offer of EternityIn EverythingRemembering God in the MessBeing Real About our StrugglesYou FailedUnderstanding GloryA Great Big Thank YouThe Treasure of LightAn Open Letter LifePictures of God's StrengthOverwhelmed Before the LordLove as a DebtResources on God and GovernmentGifts of GraceWhen Things are HardJesus v. Paul?The "One Anothers" of RomansHashtag Holy SpiritLittle Parts of a Larger StoryRemember the Larger StoryFamilies: Struggles and Blessings in Times of TroubleLearning from Racial SinSeeing ClearlyPraying with NehemiahDrawing Your Self-PortraitJesus Style CommunityEncouraging EldersA "One Another" LifeLearning from Physical StrugglesParents Being ParentedWhat We Know About End TimesI Love Youth RetreatsDoes God Hear My Prayer?Humility: The Key to the KingdomBlessing OthersHow the Cross Changes UsJesus Used Technology