Here is Jim Moore at his best, telling heart-warming stories as he teaches us about the Bible. In this 6-session, video-based study, Dr. Moore uses key Scriptures that distinctively shape us as United Methodists. There are two sessions from the Old Testament and four sessions from the New Testament. Each session lifts up and uses core terms and life application topics taken from the Wesley Study Bible to help you grow as a faithful follower of Jesus as you practice your faith in everyday life.Sold separately: Participant Book - 9781426708794 and DVD - 843504010461.
How God Takes Our Little & Makes it Much Leaders Guide
By M. Kathryn ArmisteadAbingdon Press
Copyright © 2010 The United Methodist Publishing House
All right reserved.ISBN: 978-1-4267-0879-4Chapter One
A WORD TO LEADERS: HOW TO USE THIS RESOURCE
How God Takes Our Little and Makes It Much by James Moore is a six-week video-based study for adult groups. The goal of this study is to help participants engage significant biblical persons as presented in key Scripture passages. Then, after thoughtful self-examination, persons are invited to dialogue in a small-group setting, so that their lives will be enriched and they can be more fruitful followers of Jesus.
Dr. Moore invites you to help readers put their faith into daily practice, so that they will be inspired to share God's grace with others. As disciples practicing their faith, they will better understand and feel good about their distinctive Wesleyan identity. Many of these basic practices are spelled out in the Life Applications Topics and Core Terms found in the Wesley Study Bible.
As group leader, you are invited to facilitate each session using this leader's guide. You will need a copy of the book How God Takes Our Little and Makes It Much and, for best results, a Wesley Study Bible for each participant, and a chart or board with appropriate writing instruments for group activities.
Throughout the book, Dr. Moore refers to the Life Application Topics and Core Terms that appear as sidebars within the notes of the Wesley Study Bible. For your convenience, Life Application Topics and Core Terms are listed by biblical book and in alphabetical order in the back of the Wesley Study Bible. Just as John Wesley sought to speak as plainly as possible, these brief explanations will help people live with warmed hearts and active hands.
You, as leader, might want to make a list of the Life Application Topics and Core Terms referred to in each chapter and read them ahead of time. They will be a valued resource for you as you study, plan, and lead the sessions. They will also help you keep the discussion focused.
Each chapter has points designed to help people live out their faith in their daily lives. In addition, each chapter also has a "Biblical Perspective" to help persons go a step deeper. Here readers will find additional passages of Scripture with thoughtful commentary.
A Quick Overview
Because no two groups are alike, this guide has been designed to give you flexibility in tailoring the sessions to your needs. You may use the following suggested format, or adapt it as you wish to meet the schedule and needs of your particular group. (Note: The times indicated within parentheses are merely estimates. You may move at a faster or slower pace, making adjustments as necessary to fit your schedule.)
Suggested Format (45-65 minutes) Sharing Prayers and Concerns (5-7 minutes) Opening Prayer (1-2 minutes) Introduction of Study (2-3 minutes) Play DVD (5-10 minutes) Icebreaker (10 minutes) Scripture Reading (3-5 minutes) Group Discussion (20-25 minutes) Closing Prayer (1-2 minutes)
Helpful Hints
Here are a few helpful hints for preparing and leading your group sessions: Read the corresponding chapter in How God Takes Our Little and Makes It Much before the group session. Make note of the Scripture references.
• Select the specific discussion questions you plan to cover. Highlight these or put a checkmark beside them. (For 20-25 minutes of discussion time, it is suggested that you select 5-7 questions.) • Be the first person at the session. Arrive at least five minutes early so you can welcome persons as they come in. Practice gracious hospitality. • Begin and end on time. • Make sure to introduce guests and help them feel welcome. • Keep the business of the group short. • Be enthusiastic. Remember, you set the tone for the class. • Create a climate of participation, encouraging individuals to participate in ways that are comfortable for them. • Some people are uncomfortable talking, so occasionally let them write their responses. If no one answers at first, don't be afraid of a little silence. Count to seven silently; then say something such as, "Would anyone like to go first?" If no one responds, venture an answer yourself. Have your answer prepared ahead of time. Then ask for comments and other responses. • Model openness as you share with the group. Group members will follow your example. If you only share at a surface level, everyone else will follow suit. If you want a richer discussion, you need to share at a deeper level yourself. • Be aware, however, that it is natural for the conversation to begin at a surface level and then move more deeply as the session goes on. • Draw out participants without asking them to share what they are unwilling to share. Make eye contact with someone and say something such as, "How about someone else?" • Encourage multiple responses before moving on. If you want more conversation around a response, ask something like, "Has that ever happened to anyone else?" • If you have trouble getting responses from the group, consider giving your answer first and then just going around the circle. • Avoid asking "Why?" or "Why do you believe that?" Instead consider asking or giving an example to illustrate the point. • Affirm others' responses with comments such as, "Great," or "Thanks," or "I like that"—especially if this is the first time someone has spoken during the group session. • Steer the conversation away from argument. If you feel things heating up, say something like, "You seem to feel strongly about this." • Give everyone a chance to talk but keep the conversation moving. Moderate the group to prevent a few individuals from doing all of the talking. Please note that some people will not talk unless you call on them. • Monitor your own contributions. If you are doing most of the talking, back off. • Remember that you do not have to have all the answers. Your job is to keep the discussion going and encourage participation. • Honor the time schedule. If a session is running longer than expected, get consensus from the group before continuing beyond the agreed-upon ending time. • Consider involving group members in various aspects of the group session, such as asking for volunteers to read Scripture, the closing prayer, or to say their own prayer, and so forth. Prayers are included in this guide if you need to make copies ahead of time. • Before each group session and throughout the study, pray for God's presence, guidance, and power. Pray for your group members by name and for what God may do in their lives. More than anything else, prayer will encourage and empower you as you lead the group.
It takes a dedicated leader to make any group go well. Thank you for your commitment. Blessings on your ministry.
A Prayer for You, the Leader
Dear Holy God, thank you for the opportunity of leadership. It is an awesome task to help persons along their spiritual journey. Help this leader follow your Spirit in preparation for each session. Give this leader confidence and a humble spirit. Empower this leader to speak with your words, listen with your ears, and see with your eyes. Give this leader insight to inspire learning and more faithful living. Let this leader find the joy of your salvation. In Jesus' name, amen.
Before You Meet
Prior to your first group session, pray for the members of your group by name. Pray that the study will touch them in a significant way and that you will be a helpful conduit of God's grace. Pray that they will be eager to learn and grow into the image of Christ. Pray that they will be faithful in their own study and purposeful in their daily living.
Call members prior to your first meeting to personally remind them that the group is beginning this new study. Invite them to participate and, perhaps, bring a new person to the group. You might explain that is it always easier for new people to come if the group is beginning something new. You might also tell your group members that you've already read the entire book and how much you like it.
Consider having a special kick-off session with refreshments. Perhaps you'd like to meet in a special place or go somewhere afterwards as a group to celebrate beginning a new opportunity to grow in Christian discipleship. Or you might consider planning a special mission project that reflects how God can take our little and make it much.
Session 1 God Takes a Reluctant Shepherd and Makes a Bold Leader: The Story of Moses
Leader Preparation
Read chapter 1 in How God Takes Our Little and Makes It Much. Look through this session and decide which discussion questions will work best for your group. If the suggested questions need modification, please feel free to make the desired changes.
Leader Extra
Moses: According to The New Interpreter's Dictionary of the Bible, Moses is the first great leader of the people of Israel. In him, we see characteristics of a founding ruler, judge, law-giver, scribe, teacher, prophet, intercessor, healer, and savior. He led Israel out of slavery in Egypt in the exodus (Exodus 14–15), spoke "face to face" with God (Exodus 33:11; Numbers 12:8; Deuteronomy 34:10), and transmitted the Ten Commandments and other laws from God on Mount Sinai to the Israelites (Exodus 19–20). Even today, Moses retains his prominence and importance in both Jewish and Christian imaginations.
God called Moses to lead Israel out of slavery in Exod 3. Exodus 3 has similarities to other stories in the Bible in which a person is called to be a prophet or deliverer. When God commands Moses, Moses responds with five objections. First, Moses claims to lack adequate qualification, but God assures him that "I will be with you" (3:11-12). Second, the Israelites will ask Moses for God's name, so God gives a name that is both substantive but also elusive—"I AM WHO I AM" (3:13-14). Third, Moses worries that the Israelites will not believe that God has sent him. So God gives Moses two signs or wonders (4:1-9). Fourth, Moses objects that he is not eloquent, but God assures him that God will teach him what to say (4:10-12). And fifth, Moses simply begs God to send someone else. So God also sends Aaron. These five objections serve as a kind of theology of leadership. They underscore the frailty of leaders and their constant need for God.
In this session, consider your own strengths and weaknesses. Consider how you can help the participants become more willing to follow where God leads. Pray that God will guide and strengthen you as you lead this small group study.
Getting Started
Sharing Prayers and Concerns (5-7 minutes)
Opening Prayer (1-2 minutes)
Dear God, we long to meet you face to face, but sometimes we are afraid. Like Moses, we make excuses. While we pray to make a difference in this world, sometimes it just feels like the challenges are too threatening and intimidating. Help us realize that you know our name. You have a purpose for us. Help us lean on your faithful promise to always be with us. Thank you for your faithfulness to us even when we are not as faithful as we need to be. But even when we turn from you, you are there, pursuing us with your ever-seeking love. Be with those persons we've mentioned. Let them feel the presence of your Holy Spirit. But help us also do our part to assist and comfort them. Now we turn our hearts to you. Touch us, inspire us, lead us so that we might see just a glimpse of your glory. In Jesus' name, amen.
Introduction of Study (2-3 minutes)
To the leader: Take a few minutes to introduce this session.
In this chapter, God takes Moses, the shepherd and former runaway Egyptian prince, and makes him into a great leader. James Moore gives us three thoughts that emerge from the story of Moses in the book of Exodus. First, when we have to face the pharaohs of life, we can remember that the name of God is "I Shall Be There." Second, when we have to wander in the wilderness, we can remember that the name if God is "I Shall Be There." Third, when we have to face death, we can remember that the name of God is "I Shall Be There."
Play the DVD: Session 1 (5-10 minutes)
Icebreaker (10 minutes)
Moses noticed the burning bush and found God. What do you notice first when you meet people? Their eyes, handshake, clothes, the shine on their shoes? What kind of first impression do you like to make?
Scripture Reading (3-5 minutes)
Exodus 3:1-20
Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, "I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up." When the Lord saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then he said, "Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." He said further, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God.
Then the Lord said, "I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt." But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" He said, "I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain."
But Moses said to God, "If I come to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your ancestors has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' what shall I say to them?" God said to Moses, "I am who I am." He said further, "Thus you shall say to the Israelites, 'I AM has sent me to you.'" God also said to Moses, "Thus you shall say to the Israelites, 'The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you':
This is my name forever, and this my title for all generations.
Go and assemble the elders of Israel, and say to them, 'The Lord, the God of your ancestors, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying: I have given heed to you and to what has been done to you in Egypt. I declare that I will bring you up out of the misery of Egypt, to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey.' They will listen to your voice; and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, 'The Lord, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; let us now go a three days' journey into the wilderness, so that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God.' I know, however, that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all my wonders that I will perform in it; after that he will let you go."
(Continues...)
Excerpted from How God Takes Our Little & Makes it Much Leaders Guideby M. Kathryn Armistead Copyright © 2010 by The United Methodist Publishing House. Excerpted by permission of Abingdon Press. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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