God’s Invitation

October 16, 2022

Have you ever experienced holy discontent? A strong feeling that something was not what it should or could be? Throughout history, God has used such feelings to invite people to become involved with Him and His work. Join us for part three of Experiencing God, where we will see how a holy discontent moved a man named Nehemiah to leave a very comfortable and secure life to join God in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem.

Listen to Podcast

Passages

Nehemiah 1

Realities of Experiencing God:

God is ____________ at ________ around you
God pursues a continuing ________ _______________________ with you that is ____ and ____________
‍God _____________ you to become involved with ______ and His ________.

Principle

______________ your holy discontent, ________ about it, and tell God you’re __________________ to become involved with Him and His work.

Small Group Questions

Use this outline for personal reflection, as a couple or family devotion, or with a small group.

Hangout

Have you ever been invited to become involved in something that would stretch and challenge you beyond your comfort level? What happened?

This week we are considering Reality 3: God invites you to become involved with Him and His work.

Large Group Questions

Read Exodus 3:7-10

What need did God identify (see v. 7)?
What work was God doing? (See v. 8)?
What were some of the details God didn’t reveal to Moses at this time?
Why do you think God didn’t give Moses all the details at the front end of the assignment (see vv. 9-10)?
How did God invite Moses to become involved with Him and His work?
Why is it significant that God phrased His invitation to join His work as an instruction rather than a request?
How does God’s use of a command deepen your understanding of what it means to be involved in His work?

Small Group Questions (3-5 people)

Review this week’s daily readings. If you did not do this week’s lesson, feel free to join the conversation anyway! If you’d like a copy of The Seven Realities of Experiencing God, please ask your group leader.

How do you desire to see God work in the lives of people around you?
In what current situation do you need your perspective and desire to be realigned with God’s heart?
What has Jesus been teaching you through experience lately?
When have you worried about knowing God’s will? What were you doing to discern His will? What was the result?
In what area of life have you been postponing a decision about an invitation from God? Why haven’t you responded? What does this inaction reveal?

Making it Personal

How have you experienced God this week?
When, where, or how has God invited you to join Him and His work?
Why is it important to remember that it’s God’s work, not yours alone?
Talk about it, invite accountability, and take time to pray together.

Daily Reading

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how He used Nehemiah’s holy discontentment to invite Nehemiah to become involved with God and His work. How might He be doing the same through your holy discontentment?

Day 1: Nehemiah 1 & 2
Day 2: Nehemiah 3 & 4
Day 3: Nehemiah 5 & 6
Day 4: Nehemiah 7 & 8
Day 5: Nehemiah 9 & 10
Day 6: Nehemiah 11 & 12
Day 7: Nehemiah 13

Think Deeper

Describe a time you experienced a holy discontent.
Most societal advances have been made when individuals turn their holy discontentment into action. Can you think of some examples?
What would you do if you knew beyond doubt that your holy discontentment was God’s invitation to you to become involved with Him and His work?