Each week, we will be providing questions to help guide us through the readings from the previous week. These may be used in your own reflection time, in your Disciple Groups, or other classes.
October 19, 2025
1. What is the significance of the Levites' consecration, and how does it reflect our call to service today? (8)
2. How does God’s guidance through the cloud and fire teach us about trusting Him in uncertain times? How have you seen God lead you? (9)
3. Why was it important for Israel to move when the trumpet sounded, and how can we be attentive to God’s call in our lives? How do you best hear the lord’s call in your life? What makes it harder to hear? (10)
4. What lessons do we learn from the Israelites' complaints and God's response? (11)
5. How does Miriam and Aaron's challenge to Moses reflect issues of pride and leadership? How does pride complicate things? (12)
6. What can we learn from the spies’ report and the differing reactions of Caleb and Joshua versus the others? (13)
7. How does fear versus faith impact decision-making in difficult circumstances? (14)
8. Why were specific laws and regulations emphasized after Israel’s rebellion? (15)
9. What does the rebellion of Korah teach us about authority and humility? (16)
10. How does Aaron’s budding staff symbolize God’s chosen leadership? What signs do you see in God’s choices? (17)
11. What role did the priests and Levites play, and how does it relate to spiritual leadership today? (18-19)
12. What can we learn from Moses' mistake at Meribah about obedience and consequences? Have you made similar choices?(20)
13. How does the bronze serpent point to God’s provision and healing, and how is it connected to Christ? (21)
14. What does Balaam’s story teach us about God’s sovereignty and the danger of compromising faith? (22-24)
15. How does Israel’s sin with Moab reflect the dangers of cultural compromise? (25)
16. Why was the second census important, and what does it teach about God’s faithfulness to His promises? (26)
17. What lessons can we learn from the daughters of Zelophehad’s bold request regarding inheritance? (27)
18. How do the offerings and feasts reflect Israel’s relationship with God, and what parallels exist in Christian worship today? (28-29)
19. Why does God emphasize the seriousness of vows, and how should we approach commitments? (30)
20. How do we reconcile God’s commands regarding the Midianites with His character of justice and mercy? (31)
21. What can we learn from the tribes of Reuben and Gad about priorities and the danger of settling outside God’s best? (32)
22. Where is God inviting you to respond?
October 12, 2025
Here are some application-focused small group questions for Numbers 1–7:
1. Personal Identity and Purpose (Numbers 1): How does understanding Israel's detailed census help us reflect on our unique roles and purposes within our communities today?
2. Responsibility and Service (Numbers 2–4): The Levites had specific duties in caring for the tabernacle. How can identifying our God-given responsibilities shape the way we serve in our families, workplaces, or churches?
3. Holiness and Dedication (Numbers 5–6): What does the call to purity and the Nazirite vow teach us about living a life set apart for God? How can we apply this in practical ways today?
4. Generosity and Offering (Numbers 7): The leaders of Israel presented offerings willingly and generously. How can we cultivate a heart of generosity in our current circumstances?
5. Obedience in the Details: Numbers shows that God cares about details. How can we be more attentive and obedient to the "small things" God calls us to do?
6. Community and Accountability: What lessons can we learn from Israel’s organization and structure about the importance of community and mutual accountability in our faith journey?
October 5, 2025
1. Golden Calf Incident (Exodus 32)
1. What idols do people create today, and how do they distract us from God?
2. How do you respond when you feel God is silent or distant, as the Israelites did?
3. What does Moses’ intercession teach us about prayer and leadership?
2. Renewal of the Covenant (Exodus 33–34)
1. How does God’s description of His character in Exodus 34:6–7 challenge or comfort you?
2. Moses asked to see God’s glory. How can we seek and experience God's presence in our daily lives?
3. When God invites you to a deeper relationship with Him, how do you respond?
3. Instructions & Construction of the Tabernacle (Exodus 35–40)
1. What does the detailed focus on the Tabernacle teach us about worship and reverence for God?
2. How can you use your skills and resources for God's purposes, as the Israelites did?
3. In what ways can we create "sacred spaces" in our lives to remain aware of God's presence?
4. Personal Worship (Ch. 1)
The burnt offering was completely consumed, symbolizing total devotion. What areas of your life are you holding back from God that need full surrender?
5. Priestly Calling (Ch. 8–10)
Aaron and his sons were set apart to serve God. How has God called you to serve Him in your daily life, and how are you living out that calling?
6. Reverence for God (Ch. 10)
Nadab and Abihu’s careless worship led to severe consequences. How do you approach God in worship? Is there an area where you need to grow in reverence and awe?
7. Clean and Unclean (Ch. 11–13)
The laws about clean and unclean things remind us of the importance of purity. What "unclean" attitudes or behaviors might God be calling you to address?
8. God’s Presence
The detailed instructions reflect God’s desire to dwell among His people. How aware are you of God’s presence in your daily routine, and how does that awareness shape your choices?
9. Reflection
Where is God inviting you to respond?
September 28, 2025
1. God deliberately led the Israelites on a longer, more difficult path to the promised land (13:17–18). What does this reveal about his character and wisdom?
2. When the Israelites were trapped between the Red Sea and the Egyptian army, their first instinct was to panic and complain (14:11–12). When have you felt trapped and overwhelmed, and how did you respond?
3. Moses tells the people to "stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will bring" (14:13). What does it look like to stand still and let God fight your battles today? Is there an area in your life where you are standing and waiting? How can you find comfort in the story of Exodus?
4. After the celebration at the Red Sea, the Israelites quickly start complaining about a lack of water (15:24). What causes people to so quickly forget God's past miracles when a new problem arises? Can you think of a time in your life where you forgot quickly?
5. The wilderness reveals the true nature of the Israelites' hearts, showing their lack of trust. In what "wilderness seasons" of your own life have your character and trust in God been tested?
6. God responds to their grumbling with provision—healing the water at Marah and providing manna and quail. How does this demonstrate God's patience and care for His people even when they fail? In the New Testament, Jesus is presented as the ultimate bread of life and living water. How does remembering Christ help reframe your own moments of grumbling and discontent?
7. God's presence on Mount Sinai is depicted as both majestic and terrifying (19:16–19). How does this image of God compare to how you typically think about him? How might a deeper reverence for His holiness impact our faith?
8. How do you view the Ten Commandments: as a burden or a gift? How might viewing them as wisdom for living freely and in harmony with others change your perspective?
9. The covenant is established through a solemn ceremony involving a blood sacrifice (24:6–8). What does this reveal about the gravity of the covenant and the nature of sin? How do you challenge yourself to remember it in your own faith practice?
10. This passage points toward Jesus, who establishes a new covenant with His blood. How does the covenant at Sinai help you appreciate the new covenant established through Christ?
11. The tabernacle is a portable sanctuary, representing God's decision to dwell with His people in the wilderness. What does God's desire to be close to His people reveal about His character? Where do you feel the closest to God? The tabernacle was a tangible, visible reminder of God's presence. What tangible things or practices in your life help remind you of God's presence today?
12. In these chapters, we see God inviting His people to participate in the construction of His sacred space. What are the joys and challenges of being invited to partner with God in his work?
13. Where is God inviting you to respond?
September 21, 2025
1. When Jacob agrees to send Benjamin with his brothers, he says, "If I am bereaved, I am bereaved" (Gen. 43:14). What does this statement reveal about Jacob's state of mind? How does his journey to trust God relate to a time when someone had to surrender something they feared losing? Have you seen that in your own life or in the life of another? Take a moment to share.
2. The story of Judah is an interesting one. We know that none of us are defined by one moment in our life, but what would we learn about Judah if we looked one scene at a time, i.e. selling Joseph into slavery (Gen 37) and the Tamar incidents (Gen 38)? What about when he was the family spokesperson and offered to substitute himself (Gen 44)? What do we learn about how God uses imperfect people to accomplish His plan? How does that give us comfort and hope? How does it invite us to look to the bigger story when we judge ourselves or others?
3. What surprises you about the antics of the interactions between the unrecognized Joseph and his brothers? Why do you think there was so many things disguised, including the hidden cup? What was Joseph trying to reveal and accomplish? The brothers say, "God has found out the guilt of your servants" (Gen. 44:16). How has the memory of their past sin against Joseph continued to haunt and shape their actions over the years? Can you think in your life, how the memory of sin might have shaped how you act and react?
4. What did you think about Joseph’s forgiveness of his brothers? Do you think you would have been able to do the same? Joseph tells his brothers, "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Gen. 45:5,8). How does this perspective reframe his years of suffering? How might this principle encourage you when you face hardships?
5. As Israel settles in Goshen, God's plan to create a great nation begins to unfold (Gen. 46:27, 47:27). How does this progression encourage you that God is faithful to His promises, even when circumstances seem uncertain? Do you think God has made specific promises to you? What are they? Do you see God at work now or does it feel more uncertain?
6. What is the significance of Jacob crossing his hands to give the greater blessing to the younger son, Ephraim? How does this repeat a pattern seen with Isaac and Jacob, and what does it reveal about God's ways? Why do you think God allows that to happen? Joseph's powerful statement, "You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good," is often quoted (Gen. 50:20). Discuss a time when you experienced God turning a difficult situation for good.
7. How do the various plagues demonstrate God's power over the "false gods" of Egypt, and can you identify modern-day "false gods" in our own culture? Why do you think God sent the plagues? Why not just reason more?
8. How did the blood of the Passover lamb act as a substitute for the Israelite sons, and how does this foreshadow Jesus' sacrifice for us? How is the act of celebrating the Passover a public declaration of faith in a hostile environment, and how does this relate to our faith today? What Christian celebrations help teach us about our faith and our Savior? What is one that is most meaningful to you?
9. Where is God inviting you to respond?
September 14, 2025:
1. What signs did Abraham's servant look for to know he had found the right woman? How did this event help him discern God's will? Rebekah's response to the servant's request was "I will go". What does her quick assent and courage tell us about her character and faith? Is there something that God has been asking of you where you have been hesitant to say yes?
2. Abraham's servant, Laban, Rebekah, and even the servant all recognized God's hand in this situation. How can we lean on our community of faith to help us discern God's leading in our lives? Have you experienced that help in community? Take a moment to share.
3. Even though Jacob wrestled with God and prevailed (Gen 32), what do we learn about God's character and sovereignty in this encounter? Why
is the transition of Jacob to Israel (Gen 32) important? Does it signify a complete change in his character or just a new beginning? Does this help you hope in your struggles, even if they are with God? Take a moment to share.
4. Joseph's brothers sold him into slavery out of jealousy. What does this story teach us about the destructiveness of envy and the importance of family relationships? Joseph experienced significant hardship. How did God use these difficult circumstances for good, as stated in Genesis 50:20? Joseph went from prisoner to second-in-command of Egypt by interpreting the king's dreams. What does this story teach us about God's power to elevate those who are faithful? In your own life, you may resonate with different stages in Joseph’s story. If you had to pick one for where you are right now, where would it be? Take a moment to share about that. If you are in the section of betrayal or struggle, how might the story of Jospeh help?
5. Joseph's brothers felt guilt and regret years later. What are some ways to find healing or reconciliation for past regrets? Joseph tested his brothers to see if they had changed. What actions or qualities show true repentance and transformation in someone? Jacob's fear prevented him from sending Benjamin to Egypt. What fears or anxieties hold us back from trusting God fully? Joseph showed both justice and mercy to his brothers. How is this a picture of God's justice and mercy in our own lives?
6. "How does the biblical theme of testing in Genesis, as seen in the story of Abraham, point us toward Jesus, who passed the ultimate test on our behalf?".
7. "How do the stories of broken families and rivalries in Genesis, such as those between Isaac, Jacob, and Esau, offer a template for understanding brokenness and the need for reconciliation in our own relationships?"
8. Why is this reading significant for you to better be transformed by the bigger story of God’s good news?
9. Where is God inviting you to respond?