Small Group Discussion Guide

Small Group Guide: "I Am" - Responding to God's Call
Based on Exodus 3-4

Sermon Summary
In this message, we explored Moses' encounter with God at the burning bush, where God called him to deliver Israel from Egypt. Moses responded with five excuses, each beginning with "if" or "but." Yet every time Moses said "I can't," God responded with "I Am." The sermon reminds us that our obedience doesn't rest in our identity, but in God's identity and His presence with us.

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Key Takeaways

God's calling is not about our credentials - It's about His presence with us
God's character is our confidence - He is eternal, unchanging, and faithful
God produces the results - We're responsible for obedience, not outcomes
God equips those He calls - Our limitations don't limit Him
Looking inward leads to excuses; looking upward leads to obedience.

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Discussion Questions
Moses' Five Excuses

1. Lack of Credentials (Exodus 3:10-12)

Moses asked, "Who am I?" God responded, "I will be with you."
Discuss: Why do we often focus on our qualifications rather than God's presence? How does knowing "God is with us" change our perspective on what He asks us to do?

2. Lack of Content (Exodus 3:13-22)

Moses asked, "What shall I say?" God revealed His name: "I AM WHO I AM."
Discuss: What does the name "I Am" reveal about God's character? How should God's eternal, unchanging nature affect how we respond to His calling?

3. Lack of Converts (Exodus 4:1-9)

Moses said, "They will not believe me." God gave him miraculous signs.
Discuss: When have you felt responsible for producing results that only God can produce? How can we distinguish between our responsibility (obedience) and God's responsibility (results)?

4. Lack of Communication Skills (Exodus 4:10-12)

Moses said, "I am not eloquent." God said, "Who made man's mouth?"
Discuss: What personal limitations do you use as excuses to avoid God's calling? How does God's response to Moses challenge those excuses?

5. Unwillingness to Go (Exodus 4:13-17)

Moses said, "Please send someone else." God's anger was kindled, but He still showed grace.
Discuss: Why did God's anger kindle at this excuse and not the others? What's the difference between honest questions/fears and outright disobedience?

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Personal Reflection
6. The pastor mentioned that words like "if" and "but" can be destructive because they "foster negativity, create resistance, and shrink our sense of what's possible."

Discuss: What "if" or "but" statements have you been saying to God lately? How might these be limiting what God wants to do in your life?

7. The sermon emphasized: "The question should no longer be 'Who am I?' but 'Who is the I Am, and will I trust Him?'"

Discuss: How does shifting from "Who am I?" to "Who is God?" change your approach to challenges, opportunities, or God's calling on your life?

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Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge:

Choose ONE of the following to put into practice:
Option 1: Identify Your Excuse

Write down one area where God may be calling you to step out in faith
List the excuses you've been making (start with any that begin with "if" or "but")
Beside each excuse, write what you know to be true about God's character
Pray specifically about taking one step of obedience this week

Option 2: The "I Am" Exercise

Each day this week, read one of the "I Am" statements of Jesus in the Gospel of John:
- Monday: "I am the bread of life" (John 6:35)
- Tuesday: "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12)
- Wednesday: "I am the door" (John 10:9)
- Thursday: "I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11)
- Friday: "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25)
- Saturday: "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6)
- Sunday: "I am the true vine" (John 15:1)
Journal how each "I Am" statement speaks to your current circumstances

Final Thought: Moses kept saying "I... I... I..." while God kept saying "I AM... I AM... I AM..." The difference is everything. When we trust in the great I Am, we can step forward in faith, knowing He goes before us, with us, and will accomplish His purposes through us.

Small Group Guide: Palm Sunday - The King Has Come

Question: If you knew you only had a few days to live, what would you prioritize doing?

Sermon Summary
This Palm Sunday message explores how Jesus spent His final week on earth, revealing that every action and word declared His kingship. From the triumphal entry on a donkey to discussions about taxes and the temple, Jesus was intentionally showing us who He is and preparing us for His return.
Key Scripture Passages

Mark 11:1-4 (The Triumphal Entry)
Zechariah 9:9 (Prophecy of the King on a donkey)
Mark 12:17 (Give to Caesar)
Mark 13:1-2, 9 (The Temple's destruction and "Be Ready")
2 Corinthians 8:9 (Jesus became poor for our sake)

Discussion Questions

Section 1: The Triumphal Entry

Understanding the Donkey: Why was it significant that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a borrowed donkey rather than a warhorse or royal chariot? What does this reveal about the nature of His kingdom?
Humility in Action: The sermon mentioned that Jesus "owns the cattle on a thousand hills" yet rode on a borrowed donkey, died on a borrowed cross, and was buried in a borrowed tomb. What does this pattern of humility teach us about following Jesus?
Personal Reflection: The crowd's cries changed from "Hosanna" to "Crucify Him" within days. Have you ever experienced times when your enthusiasm for Jesus waned? What caused that shift?

Section 2: Give to Caesar

Two Kingdoms: Jesus taught that we live in two kingdoms simultaneously—the kingdom of this world and the kingdom of God. How does this reality play out in your daily life? Where do you experience tension between these two kingdoms?
Image Bearing: Jesus said Caesar's image is on the coin, but God's image is on us. What does it practically mean to "give to God what belongs to God" in your life right now?
Hope in the Hopeless: The sermon stated, "We look around and we see the world as hopeless...but God is still working in it." How can we maintain hope while acknowledging the brokenness around us? Share examples of where you've seen God working despite difficult circumstances.

Section 3: The Temple

Misplaced Hope: The disciples put their hope in the temple building rather than in worship of God. What are some "temples" in our modern lives—things we trust in for security or identity that won't last?
Where God Dwells: Jesus was pointing to a new reality where God doesn't live in buildings but in hearts through the risen Jesus. How does this truth change the way we think about church, worship, and our relationship with God?

Section 4: Be Ready

Signs of the Times: Jesus listed signs accompanying His return: deception, wars, famines, persecution, betrayal, lawlessness, and cold hearts. How should Christians respond to these realities without becoming fearful or cynical?
Three Ways to Be Ready:
- Be ready to let the king change your heart: Where do you need Jesus to work in your heart right now?
- Be ready to endure faithfully: What does faithful endurance look like in your current circumstances?
- Be ready to stand before Him: If you stood before Jesus today, what would you want Him to know about how you've lived?

Key Takeaways

Palm Sunday was a declaration of kingship - Jesus intentionally fulfilled prophecy to identify Himself as the Messiah, though not the conquering political king people expected.
We live in two kingdoms - We have responsibilities in this temporary, broken world, but our ultimate allegiance belongs to God's eternal kingdom.
Don't put hope in temporary things - Like the temple that seemed permanent but was destroyed, we must anchor our hope in Jesus alone.
The King is coming again - Palm Sunday isn't just about what happened then; it's about being ready for Jesus' return now.
Jesus became poor so we could become rich - The humility of Jesus in His final week shows the depth of His love and sacrifice for our salvation.