Group Notes | July 31

Overcoming: Overcoming the Attacks
July 31, 2016
Pastor Jonathan Falwell

 

Open:

In this modern age of distractions, busyness, heavy schedules, and more, attacks—personal or general—seem to come at us daily. Can you think of some you’ve endured recently?

We have recently been focusing on the life of Moses, concentrating on the internal battles he went through as God called him to do the job of leading Israel out of Egypt. Now we will look at the external attacks that took place, as people and situations arose to provoke him to give up. Let us continue to see him as an example of an “overcomer.”

 

Discuss:

Our Battle Is Bigger Than We Think

  1. Read Exodus 5:1-11. In the second half of chapter 4, Moses and Aaron went to the Israelites who had been slaves in Egypt for 400 years, and told them God had called them to deliver the Hebrews from slavery. Next they went to Pharaoh. How did he react? The battle suddenly became more real, did it not?
  2. What kind of reaction should Moses have expected from Pharaoh? Read Ex. 4:21-23. What had God had told Moses would happen?

Our Hope Is Bigger Than We Believe

  1. Read 5:3a again. Think of a recent roadblock you have met with when trying to do something for the Lord. Can you share? Did you quit or persevere?
  2. Why did Moses and Aaron persist when it would have been easier to give up? Why would their refusal to quit have anything to do with their trust in the Lord?

The Attacks May (Will) Keep Coming

  1. In verse 5:7, what command did Pharaoh give? This attack seems to verge on insanity! Why are we surprised when sinners act like sinners?
  2. Why will attacks keep on happening as long as you are trying to do something to progress God’s kingdom? Read Eph. 6:12 and 1 Peter 5:8. Do these verses explain the attacks?

The Victory Is His

  1. Read Ex. 9:16 and 1 Samuel 17:47. Whose fight are the battles we are engaged in? How does it depend on us?
  2. What are the best things we can do to win?

 

Close:

As we move our focus from looking at the internal battles to those that come at us from outside, are you intimidated that you are in a war with Satan? He ultimately wants to take you down, and it is not going to be your strength that saves you. As you break into small groups, discuss the weapons of warfare that you need to use as you battle daily. Focus on the points in this sermon, and internalize them so that you realize daily that it is only your personal relationship with Christ that is going to bring you through as an “overcomer!” Pray for each other, for the families, marriages, children and grandchildren represented by those in your group. Try to make a disciple of someone this week, asking God to change a heart because of your witness.

Memory Verse: Exodus 6:1: “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Now you shall see what I will do to Pharaoh. For with a strong hand he will let them go, and with a strong hand he will drive them out of his land.’”

Focal Passage: Exodus 5:1-11, 9:16, 10:1, 10:2, 14:4, 14:13, and 14:31

 

 

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