Check In
◾ Which of the following words resonate with you most right now?
Sad, Angry, Scared, Happy, Excited, Tender, Stuck
Why?
◾ What stood out to you from the devotional or the Bible this week?

Open
◾ What brings you hope?
◾ What’s something that drains you?

Pray
Spend a few minutes releasing your cares and worries to God. Draw your attention to the One who knows you and cares about you far beyond what you can think or imagine.

A simple centering prayer: God, You are the source of all that is good and beautiful and right. We pray You’d fill us with more of Your life. Help us grow deeper in Your love. Restore our union with You. We pray You’d give us strength to endure, wisdom to choose what’s right, and a hope that anchors our souls. Protect us from the evil one who seeks to steal, kill and destroy. Move us beyond only looking at our own needs, and fill us with a deep love for each other. May Brookwood become a community that’s continually growing stronger together. Amen.

Background:
The name Wilderness of Sin (verse 1) has nothing to do with sin and could just as easily be translated Wilderness of Zin.

Elim was an oasis of rest and comfort (see Exodus 15:26-27). Sinai was the place the people were to meet God and receive His law. Between those places was harsh wilderness. That’s where we find the Israelites in this story.

1. How would you describe the attitude of the Israelites?

2. What caused the Israelites to mistrust Moses?

3. Describe a dark season of life. Did your response help you get through it or lead you into further despair?

4. Which of these do you tend to feel when things don’t go your way? (1) There must be something wrong with me (self-loathing). (2) God, I trust in You to bring me through (faith and hope). (3) Here we go again (victim). (4) I have to fix this (self-sufficiency). Give an example.

5. What’s the difference between ownership and blame?

6. When have you blamed someone else for your attitude?

7. What’s it like to be around people who are constantly complaining?

8. When has your fear fractured a relationship?

9. How did God respond to the Israelites’ complaints? What does that tell you about God?

10. When have you felt confident God would come through for you? What was the result?

11. Describe a time you were overwhelmed by God’s provision. How did that affect the way you treated others?

12. How can you move your focus from problems to possibility?

What stands out to you in this passage?

How can these qualities help us grow stronger together?

Scripture Memory
Memorizing Scripture enables you to carry the life-shaping words of God in you at all times and in all places. Here’s a verse to store in your heart and mind based on this week’s theme:

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. James 1:2-3 (NLT)

Recommended Reading
(on the Topic of Growing Stronger Together)
◾ Community: The Structure of Belonging, Peter Block
◾ SoulTalk: The Language God Longs for Us to Speak, Larry Crabb
◾ Life Together in Christ: Experiencing Transformation in Community, Ruth Haley Barton

App and the Daily Devotional
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.

Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200.

Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.