The Crisis of Belief

10/30/2022

Have you ever heard the phrase, “it’s time to fish or cut bait”? It describes that moment when a decision must be made. You will either put your line in the water to fish or sit in the boat and cut bait for those who do. Whenever God invites us to join Him and His work, we face a “fish or cut bait” moment. What we do in response to God’s invitation will reveal what we truly believe about God. Join us for part five of Experiencing God, where we will see how God’s invitation to queen Esther led her to a crisis of belief that required faith and action.

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Passage

Esther 1-4

Realities of Experiencing God

1. God is ____________ at ________ around you.

2. God pursues a continuing ________ ____________________ with you that is ________ and ________________.

3. God _____________ you to become involved with ______ and His ________.

4. God speaks by the ________ ___________ through the Bible, prayer, circumstances, and the church to reveal _____________, His ____________, and His _______.

5. God’s invitation always leads you to a ____________ ____ __________ that requires faith and action.

Practice

________________ your crisis of belief.

Small Group Questions

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

HANGOUT

Have you ever had a crisis of belief? What led to that crisis, and what was its result?

This week we are considering Reality 5: God’s invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action.

Large Group Questions

Read Exodus 4:1-17

What task did God call Moses to do that were impossible in Moses’ own ability (see 4:3-9, 11 and 3:10-22)?
At what point did Moses clearly express his crisis of belief (see 4:1, 10, 13, and 3:11-13)?
What do Moses’ questions reveal about his view of himself? What do Moses’ questions reveal about his belief in God’s ability? Does this encourage you? If so, why?
How did God overcome Moses’ objections (see 4:3-9, 11, 14-17)?
What does the fact that God responded to Moses’ concern reveal about God’s character?
Can you think of other examples from the Scripture where God invited people to things that were humanly impossible?

Small Group Questions

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.

With what decisions are you currently wrestling? Why?
What do your hesitations and excuses reveal about your belief in God?
In what areas of your life have you been over complicating God’s will or feeling confused about what He wants you to do?
Like Moses, have you been comparing your circumstances, abilities, or lack thereof to other people?
What has God called you to do that will be impossible to accomplish unless God miraculously intervenes?

Making it personal

How have you experienced God this week?
Talk about it, invite accountability, and pray together.

Daily Readings

As you read these passages, look for the crisis of faith in each. Invite the Holy Spirit to show you how He wants you to respond with faith and action to any crisis of faith that you are facing.

Day 1: Exodus 14
Day 2: Joshua 6
Day 3: Judges 6 & 7
Day 4: 1 Chronicles 14
Day 5: 2 Chronicles 20
Day 6: Esther 3 & 4
Day 7: Matthew 17

Think Deeper

Have you ever experienced a crisis of belief? What led to it, and how did you respond?
Is faith possible apart from action? Why or why not?
How do you know when God is speaking to you?