Session Six - Failure always begins with unbelief

Timeless Truth: Failure always begins with unbelief.

God’s plan was clear: deliver His people through a series of miracles, defeat their enemies, give them a covenant and set of laws to make them a chosen nation, and provide them a land of promise. Simple, right? God speaks, the people listen. God delivers, the people believe. God provides, the people trust. Well, maybe not so much.

God always held up His end of the bargain: He always provided, always delivered, always kept His promises. It turns out the people were equally consistent: They always forgot, always questioned, always rebelled. Their lack-of-faith list was long. When daily bread fell from heaven, they craved a taste of Egypt. Even Moses’ siblings, Miriam and Aaron, grew jealous and undermined their brother’s leadership.

Then they reached Kadesh, and the perimeter of promise became a pinnacle of rebellion. Moses sent twelve leaders to spy out the Promised Land of Canaan. Ten of the twelve said the cities were too strong, the people too big and God was too small. Only two, Caleb and Joshua, trusted God. They encouraged Israel to go and take what God had given them, but the people complained and failed to believe.

Failure always begins with unbelief. So, Israel spent the next forty years wandering aimlessly in the wilderness. The faithless generation would die out before they set foot on the other side of the land of promise. Only Caleb and Joshua would outlive them all to eventually cross over into their inheritance.

Forty years later, the story comes full circle again to Kadesh, the edge of the promised frontier – and little had changed. The people needed water, so they did what they do best…they complained. And God did what He does best…He provided. The LORD pointed Moses to a rock. He told him to speak to the rock and water would pour out. Moses struck it with his staff instead. The water still gushed out, but Moses and Aaron had ignored God’s instruction and lost their right of admission to the Promised Land.

Moses then commissioned Joshua as Israel’s new leader before giving his farewell address. He reminded them of all that the LORD had done. He told them again about their special role as His chosen nation and how they would enjoy His blessings if they would simply love and obey Him. Then Moses died and was buried by the LORD.

The wilderness wanderings remind us that faith leads to life, and unbelief leads to death. Faith honors God, and God always honors the faithful.



How would you classify your teen years and early 20’s: Rebellious and wild? Compliant and obedient? Somewhere in between?

1. When have you felt overburdened like Moses did? When have your burdens caused you to question God’s goodness? How might Moses’ honest conversation with God help you handle heavy burdens in the future?

2. Israel believed the report of the faithless spies out of fear. What do you think was the cause of their consistent lack of faith and trust?

3. The manna and quail episode ended in a severe plague (p. 56-58). What Upper Story lessons was God trying to teach? How do they apply to us today?

4. God asks the question: "How long will these people treat me with contempt?" (p. 61). Do you think their actions merit such a severe word as "contempt"?

5. Israel’s rebellion led to a 40 year punishment and kept an entire generation from seeing the Promised Land. How might you minister to someone whose life choices resulted in irrevocable consequences?

6. Moses is described as a "very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth." (p. 59) What examples from his life illustrate this? How would you rate your humility level? (Yes, this is another trick question.)

7. Despite his years of service, Moses’ disobedience kept him from entering the Promised Land. What did Moses do wrong? Do you agree with the punishment? What does this teach you about God’s expectations for leadership?

8. Moses charged Israel with passing the commandments down to their children. What is your role in teaching the next generation? What are some practical ways you can serve as a parent, grandparent or mentor?

9. Carefully reread Moses’ farewell message (p. 68-71). How does he emphasize God’s Upper Story of redemption?How would you classify your teen years and early 20’s: Rebellious and wild? Compliant and obedient? Somewhere in between?

Session Five - Timeless Truth

Timeless Truth: Be different – set apart – for God’s purposes.

Chapter Summary

The journey had begun. And, like all journeys, there is a "from" and a "to". God saved Israel from slavery, and He saved them to become a holy nation – set apart for His purposes. Israel was to be different than the pagan nations surrounding them; they were called to honor God and to point others to this LORD. Just weeks after the exodus, God inaugurated a new covenant with Israel that, if obeyed, would shape them into the holy nation that He intended them to be.

God had worked through Moses to lead His people out of Egypt and now they were assembled at the foot of Mount Sinai in the desert wilderness. A holy God requires a holy people, so they were to consecrate themselves (p. 47) to prepare to meet with Him. When God’s presence filled the top of Mount Sinai with thunder and fire the people were terrified. They were invited to a direct relationship with the LORD, but opted for Moses to act as an intermediary on their behalf. Moses met with God on the mountain and received the Ten Commandments written on tablets of stone. These commands and ordinances revealed God’s expectations for His covenant people. This covenant was sealed with blood and ratified by Israel’s full commitment to obey.

That commitment, however, did not have the spiritual character to back it up. Just days after Israel agreed to obey God’s laws, they were up to their earrings in idolatry and then some. While Moses was on the mountain with God, the people traded their golden opportunity for a golden calf. When Moses caught sight of their depravity, he shattered the tablets and took immediate action. He assembled the faithful and put to death the corrupt. Sin, as always, was pricey, painful, and never worth the cost.

When God proposed to send Israel on to Canaan without Him, Moses prayed for God’s presence to remain. God graciously agreed and promised He would remain with Israel, in the form of a cloud over the Tabernacle. God then graciously answered another prayer of Moses to "Show me Your glory." (p.54) God passed before him allowing Moses to only see His back because "my face must not be seen." What an expression of God’s compassion and grace! After spending forty days with the LORD on Mount Sinai, Moses came down with two new tablets of the covenant law. Moses’ face was so radiant after time with God that he had to be veiled because the people were afraid.

God’s grace compels a devotion to Him alone. He is a jealous God for our benefit; all other gods lead to sin and death. His people are free – not to act anyway they want, but free to become who He created them to be – holy, different, and designed to point the world to him. God didn’t just redeem Israel from slavery; He redeemed them for holiness. Their freedom did indeed carry a purpose.



Icebreaker Question: What was the worst discipline you received while growing up? What had you done to deserve it?

1. What do the Ten Commandments reveal about the nature of God and His desire to have a relationship with us? (p. 49)?

2. What does it mean that God is holy? What are the implications of God’s holiness as we seek Him?

3. Moses said, "Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning." (p. 48). How does the fear of God restrain sin?

4. The Lord spoke to Moses "as one would speak to a friend." (p. 53) What was there about Moses that God found so pleasing? How would you rate your relationship to God, from 1 = Total Stranger to 10 = Close Friend.

5. God describes Himself as jealous. What does this tell us about God? Why is it okay for God to be jealous?

6. How did Israel go from "Everything the Lord has said we will do," to building a false god in scarcely over a month? Why is it so easy to become forgetful of God’s mercies?

7. God reminded Moses that children live with the consequences of their parents’ sins (p. 54). How have your parents’ choices (good and bad) affected your life? How are your choices possibly affecting your children? What needs to change?

8. God showed Moses His glory because He is "gracious and compassionate." Describe a time when God showed grace and compassion to you (yes, this is a trick question.)

9. After punishing the Israelites for the golden calf, Moses immediately sought reconciliation with God. How should believers today hold one another accountable? How can we do this gracefully?

10. God describes Himself as compassionate, slow to anger, gracious and abounding in loving-kindness (p. 54). Where do you see these qualities in this chapter?What was the worst discipline you received while growing up? What had you done to deserve it?

Session four - Summary

Timeless Truth: God is the ultimate Deliverer.

The Hebrew people knew the stories of Joseph and Jacob and how they’d settled in Egypt four centuries ago on Pharaoh’s dime. But that was then and this is now – and now, they were slaves. Some might have thought it was 430 years too late, yet God’s plan for deliverance was right on schedule. His servant Moses was born during the rule of a tyrannical Pharaoh whose infanticide program was aimed at annihilating the nation of Israel. Ironically, baby Moses was delivered from danger when Pharaoh’s daughter rescued him from the Nile, hired his mother to nurse him, and raised him as a royal son.

Moses grew up in the palace but knew he’d been born a slave. Feeling sympathetic to the plight of his people, he killed an Egyptian task master and was forced to flee. Moses became a refugee in the far off land of Midian where he married and began tending his father-in-law’s flocks. Moses spent the next 40 years hiding from Pharaoh and like the Hebrew people, assumed this would be the way he’d spend the rest of his days.

Then he met up with a burning bush. God spoke from the bush and commissioned Moses as Israel’s deliverer. Not a bad promotion for an 80 year old man with only "ex-prince" and "shepherd" listed on his resume. God revealed Himself to Moses as I AM, the covenant-keeping Redeemer of His people. Moses doubted his own qualifications and abilities, but God responded with the guarantee of His presence.

Moses returned to Egypt with the promise of God and the support of his brother Aaron. As expected, Moses’ demands of freeing the Hebrews were met with Pharaoh’s stubborn refusal. So God sent a series of plagues and a cycle of challenge began: The plague strikes; Pharaoh relents; the plague stops; Pharaoh recants.

Then God presented a shadow of what would be the "ultimate deliverance" with the final plague. All the firstborn in the land would die in a single night, and there was only one means of rescue. Every household in Israel was to select a perfect Passover lamb, slaughter it and cover the doorposts of their homes with its blood. That night the angel of death would come and "pass over" the blood stained houses, preserving the lives of all who were inside.

The Hebrews left Egypt that same night, and later, an enraged Pharaoh took off in pursuit. Trapped between his powerful army on one side and the Red Sea on the other, Egypt’s victory appeared certain. But God split the sea in two and the people walked to safety on dry land. They celebrated when Pharaoh’s army drowned in the same sea…but only for a moment. Their jubilation quickly turned to complaint when Israel forgot what God had done. They grumbled over the lack of water and food, but God again proved Himself faithful by providing water, manna and quail to sustain them, this time from their fears and inability to provide for themselves.



1. How did Moses’ life experiences prepare him for God’s call? What life experience could God use to minister to others through you?

2. In the same way that God used Moses to set the Israelites free from slavery, he uses us to help people find freedom in Christ. Discuss your experiences with sharing your faith; what inhibitions keep you from doing so?

3. When Moses asked for God’s "official" name, God replied: I AM WHO I AM. Why do you think God identified Himself that way? What is the significance of that name? What does this name for God tell us about him?

4. When Moses tells Pharaoh to set the Israelites free, he responds by increasing their workload. Recall a time when you were obedient to God, but the situation worsened instead of improved. What life lessons can be drawn from these examples?

5. Look at God’s description of himself on page 39 (note the "I will" phrases.) What is Moses focused on? What is God focused on?

6. Pharaoh was "plagued" many times over, yet still refused to humble himself before God. Is there someone you know who has hardened his or her heart toward God? Can you see how God might use their decision?

7. While this story has many obvious displays of God’s wrath, we also learn a lot about God’s goodness. List the ways this story shows God’s goodness.

8. The Feast of Passover (p. 42) was to be perpetual reminder of how God delivered Israel. What are the parallels between Communion today, and the Passover?

9. Even after being delivered, the people of Israel continue to grumble. Do you know any grumblers? Are you one? How does perpetual dissatisfaction affect those in its orbit?

10. God provides food and water for the Israelites while they are wandering in the desert. Describe a time God met your need (emotionally, physically, spiritually, financially, etc.) in an unexpected way. Share how this impacted you and others.When Moses tells Pharaoh to set the Israelites free, he responds by increasing their workload. Recall a time when you were obedient to God, but the situation worsened instead of improved. What life lessons can be drawn from these examples?

Session 3 Summary

Timeless Truth: Though man fails, God’s plan prevails.

Chapter Summary

The Story continues with Abraham’s great-grandson, Joseph. His story doesn’t get off to a very good start, and it goes downhill from there. In the process, we see very clearly that God’s plan of redemption cannot be thwarted by man’s evil intentions and feeble efforts.

Joseph was the 11thof 12 sons, so he had little to expect by way of blessing or position through seniority. Even so, he was his father favorite, and Jacob gave him a beautiful gift to demonstrate his preference. This gift, coupled with Joseph’s prediction that his 10 older brothers would one day bow down to him, guaranteed an intolerable case of sibling rivalry.

The road to Egypt rid the brothers of their nuisance, but landed Joseph a job as manager of Potiphar’s household. God blessed Potiphar because of Joseph, and Potiphar was therefore pleased with Joseph. It turns out Potiphar’s wife was also pleased with Joseph, but for different reasons. After rejecting her advances and refusing to sleep with her, she accused him of rape, and he got a prison sentence in exchange for his integrity.

But even in prison, the circumstances start to look familiar. Joseph’s good character was noted and, once again, he was promoted to manager, within the prison. He ended up interpreting some dreams for two of Pharaoh’s court officials who were doing time with him. Pharaoh eventually hears of Joseph’s talents and summons him to unravel one of his own dreams and ends up promoting Joseph from prison manager to Deputy Pharaoh.

Hard times were on the way, so Joseph initiated a plan to storehouse food to sustain Egypt during a coming worldwide famine. This famine was felt back home by Joseph’s family as well, and they made their way to Egypt to buy food. It had been 20 long years since they sold him into slavery, but sure enough, Joseph was right: there they were, bowing at his feet. Sometimes, dreams really do come true.

Joseph’s entire family was saved. The Hebrew word actually means preserved as though God had something in mind here; and indeed, He did. Jacob, the brothers, and all the extended family moved to the safety of Egypt where they would survive the famine, and God would in fact safeguard his people and his promises. Joseph saw the Upper Story, the big picture. He declared to his brothers, "What you intended for evil, God intended for good to accomplish what is now being done." (p. 34) There it is: redemption in a sound bite. The Messiah would not come for centuries, yet God’s storytelling had begun. Joseph’s life is a precursor, reminding us that though man plans for evil, God redeems for good. Beauty for ashes. Life from death. Man fails, but God prevails.
Every time.


1. If Jacob had learned from his parent’s mistakes, he might not have torn his family apart by showing Joseph favoritism. What are some practical lessons families can learn from their stories? Are there any "family history" issues you need to overcome or avoid? Any items you want to preserve for your family? Do you have a "victory" story that you could share?

2. As a teen, Joseph had two dreams that indicated he would one day rule over his brothers. List Joseph’s character qualities that demonstrate why he was God’s choice for a leader. Which of these character qualities are important in a leader today?

3. Even though Joseph experienced betrayal, he went on to enjoy a full and purposeful life in Egypt. What factors or spiritual understandings do you think made this possible? How was it possible for Joseph to forgive his brothers?

4. What are the benefits experienced by Joseph’s employers, Potiphar and the prison warden (p.24-25)? How would your workplace benefit if you allowed God to work through you there?

5. List the injustices Joseph suffered. What sustained him? Recall a time in your own life that you suffered unjustly for doing the right thing. What sustained you?

6. Twenty years after his brothers sold him into slavery, they came to Joseph to buy grain. Do you see evidence they had changed over the years?

7. Why do you think Joseph did not reveal his true identity at first? What was he waiting for?

8. Over the course of twenty years, Joseph had risen to a place of power and prestige as Pharaoh’s governor. Why do you suppose he never returned to his home?

9. Jacob’s whole family lived in Goshen for seventeen years before he died (p. 33-34). Do you think the family relationships were every truly restored?

10. Ponder the whole life story of Joseph. As a group, list the ways God’s sovereignty came to light. How does God’s sovereignty impact your personal faith in Him?

The Story Session 3

If you were the main character in Session 3 how would you have handled life?