The Israelites were convinced once they saw Moses perform the miracles and Aaron speak about God’s plan. The Israelites were ready to be led out of Egypt. They felt comfortable (well, most of the time) knowing they had guidance and they worshipped God.

Questions for further thought:
1. Why do we need a leadership structure?
2. Have you ever worshipped God for providing leadership?

​Challenge: Pray for the Hillcrest staff and elders as they lead our congregation. Praise God for providing a leadership structure for our congregation.

Moses was still anxious about his own abilities. He wanted to pawn off his assignment to someone else. God provided an assistant to help Moses speak and lead the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery.

Questions for further thought:
1. When have you been afraid to “go it alone”?
2. Why does it seem better to always have another person?

​Challenge: If you don’t have a faith partner, find one who will walk in faith with you. If you do have a faith partner, share with them how God is working in your life (and vice versa).

God knows exactly who He is and what He is doing when He calls us. He wants us to trust Him when we feel underequipped. Our faith is made stronger when we step out of our comfort zone and into His power. Moses was uncomfortable with his assignment, but God let Moses know who was in control! There was no need to be afraid.

Questions for further thought:
1. How has God shown His supremacy in your life?
2. What led to this situation?

​Challenge: Verse 15 says I AM is God’s name for generations. Jesus used I AM to describe his character seven times in the Gospel of John. Meditate on each of His I AM statements (verses 4:26, 6:35, 8:12, 10:11, 11:25, 14:6 and 15:5).

Moses hesitated when he was called by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. He did not believe he had the skill set to lead. He was trusting in his own abilities instead of God’s abilities. We all experience moments where we doubt our own abilities. It could have been the first date, a marriage or parenting situation, or performing a task at work.

Questions for further thought:
1. When have you doubted your own abilities?
2. What was the outcome of that situation?

​Challenge: Talk to someone close to you if you are in a stage of hesitation when it comes to God calling you.

Somedays we just are sitting around tending to our own business. Then God gets our attention. Bam! How did that happen? Where did that come from? It probably wasn’t a burning bush, but it came in a different form. It might have been a conversation with someone. It could have been song heard on the radio or a Scripture that was read. God will try to get your attention in unique and extraordinary ways!

Questions for further thought:
1. What is a unique way God has gotten your attention?
2. Were you prepared to respond? 

​Challenge: Take some time to think how God is trying to get your attention.

Imagine being told you will have a baby by the Holy Spirit when you were a teenager.  She knows that having a baby outside of marriage will be frowned upon and her engagement to Joseph might be over.  Despite all that, she simply says I am the Lord’s servant and may God’s will be done.  We are all chosen to do something as part of God’s great plan, and we need to have the faith Mary had in God’s plan. 
 
Questions for further thought:
1. What is something you have done in the past that you know God called you to do?  
2. How did you know and what was the result of following Him?

​Challenge: God is calling you for a purpose.  Respond like Mary—I am your servant and may your will be done.  

When I read this passage, I am reminded that we are all called to have immediate obedience to God’s will.  The disciples showed no hesitation; they simply dropped what they were doing and followed Jesus.  How often do we find ourselves debating with God on His plan and or making excuses.  If we want to be more like Christ, we need to exhibit immediate obedience and take that first step.

Questions for further thought:
1. What have you been debating with God about?
2. What is preventing you from immediate obedience?  

​Challenge: Like the disciples, let go of the arguments and excuses and take the first step of obedience God is calling you to take.

I know all of us can identify with Sarai.  We have been waiting and waiting for God to change our circumstances and we decide to take matters into our own hands.  How does that work out for us?  Like Sarai, we usually end up causing ourselves more misery.  There is something to be said for delayed gratification and waiting on the Lord.  He has a plan.  We just need to be patient and wait on it to unfold.  Sometimes it’s easier said than done.

Questions for further thought:
1. When did you take matters into your hands and how did that work out?
2. What are you waiting on God for presently?

​Challenge:   When I am in a period of waiting, the best thing I have found to distract me from taking things into my own hands is to serve or help someone else.  So, determine who you might be the hands and feet of Jesus for today.

If anyone had a right to give up, it was Job.  He suffered beyond anything we could imagine.  He made mistakes along the way but in this passage, you see that he accepts God’s plan for his life (suffering and all).  How often is God just looking to teach us to accept His plan as the plan and how often do we reject or avoid His plan?

Questions for further thought:
1. What is one thing that you think God is calling you to do or to keep doing even though it is tough?
2. What is preventing or distracting you from doing that one thing?

​Challenge: Pray for wisdom and strength to either do what God is calling you to do or continue pressing forward.

In this verse, Paul writes about what “staying” or persevering gains Christians.  He points out that suffering is not meaningless.  We either become more like Christ (character) or gain more hope and trust in God.  Regardless there is good out of the bad.

Questions for further thought:
1. Identify a time when you suffered or describe what you’re going through right now.
2. What “good” came of the suffering or might come out of the suffering?    

​Challenge: Pray for God to show you the good in the suffering and ask for “staying” power during this difficult time.