God’s Call | Dr. Conrad Vine

Sermon Study Guide

“God’s Call”

Main Passage: Exodus 3:1-12

How to Use This Study Guide

• Personal Bible Study: Use this guide to deepen your understanding of the sermon message and its application to your life.
• Small Group Discussion: Discuss the teaching points and questions with a group to gain different perspectives and insights.
• Sabbath School Classes: Incorporate this guide into class discussions to enrich the lesson and encourage active participation.
• Family Worship: Use this guide to lead your family in worship and discussion, fostering spiritual growth together.

Throughout this guide, look for the following icons to direct you:

• 📖 Scripture Focus: Key Bible passages to read and reflect on.
• 💭 Teaching Points: Key points from the sermon that deepen understanding of the scripture.
• ❓ Discussion Questions: Questions to provoke thought and discussion about the themes of the sermon.
• ✏️ Personal Application: Concrete steps to apply the sermon lessons to your life.

Session 1: The Wilderness Experience

[Exodus 3:1]

📖 Opening Scripture: “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.” (Exodus 3:1)

💭 Teaching Summary:

1. Moses, once a prince of Egypt, found himself shepherding in Midian, a stark contrast to his royal upbringing. This period of transition highlights how God often allows us to pass through wilderness experiences to refine us. Just as Moses was prepared in the wilderness, we too may find that these challenging periods are necessary to prepare us for God’s call. They strip us of pride and self-reliance, making us more attuned to God’s voice and ready for His purposes.
2. The wilderness symbolizes a place of solitude where God can speak clearly. Moses, at 80 years old, was still tending his father-in-law’s flock, indicating a life of humility and service. Despite his past as a crown prince with military and leadership training, God waited until Moses was ready to listen, not just with his ears, but with his heart. This teaches us that God’s timing is perfect, and His call comes when we are truly ready.
3. Ida’s story, shared in the sermon, mirrors Moses’ experience. She faced immense personal trials and societal pressures, yet God used her wilderness experience to prepare her for a powerful ministry. Her story encourages us that even when we feel isolated and pressured, God can use these experiences to shape us for His work.

❓ Discussion Questions:

• Have you ever experienced a “wilderness” period in your life? How did it prepare you for a future opportunity?
• Why do you think God allows us to go through difficult times before He calls us to a new mission?
• How can we remain faithful and patient during our own wilderness experiences?
• What lessons can we learn from Moses’ life about humility and service?

✏️ Personal Application:

• Reflect on a difficult period in your life. Write down what you learned from that experience and how it prepared you for future challenges.
• Identify an area in your life where you feel God may be calling you to serve, even if it seems insignificant, and pray for guidance.
• Consider how you can support someone else who may be going through their own wilderness experience.

Session 2: The Call of Moses

[Exodus 3:2-6]

📖 Opening Scripture: “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.” (Exodus 3:2)

💭 Teaching Summary:

1. Moses’ encounter with the burning bush is a pivotal moment where God reveals Himself in a miraculous way. The bush, a symbol of humility, was not consumed by the fire, signifying that God’s presence can fill us without destroying us. This moment underscores the idea that God calls us in unexpected ways and uses humble means to display His glory.
2. The angel of the Lord, often understood as the pre-incarnate Christ, speaks to Moses, marking a personal and divine encounter. This interaction highlights God’s desire to engage with us personally, knowing us by name and calling us into His service. It reminds us that we are known and valued by God, not just for who we are now, but for who we can become through His power.
3. God instructs Moses to remove his sandals, signifying the holiness of the ground and the reverence due in God’s presence. This act of humility and reverence is essential in our relationship with God, teaching us to approach Him with awe and respect, recognizing His holiness and our need for His grace.

❓ Discussion Questions:

• Why do you think God chose to appear to Moses in a burning bush? What does this teach us about how God communicates with us?
• How does understanding God as a personal God, who knows us by name, impact our relationship with Him?
• What does it mean to you to stand on “holy ground”? How can we cultivate reverence in our daily lives?
• How do we balance the imminence and transcendence of God in our worship and daily walk?

✏️ Personal Application:

• Spend time in prayer, asking God to reveal Himself to you in a personal way. Listen for His voice and be open to His calling.
• Identify a “burning bush” moment in your life—an encounter where you felt God’s presence—and reflect on its significance.
• Commit to approaching your daily devotions with a renewed sense of reverence and awe for God’s holiness.

Session 3: Understanding God’s Holiness

[Exodus 3:7-12]

📖 Opening Scripture: “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.'” (Exodus 3:7)

💭 Teaching Summary:

1. God’s awareness of the Israelites’ suffering in Egypt shows His compassion and desire to deliver His people. This reveals an important aspect of God’s character: He is not distant or indifferent, but deeply aware and concerned about human suffering. It reassures us that God hears our cries and is moved to action by them.
2. God’s holiness is not just about His separation from sin, but His active involvement in our lives to bring about redemption and salvation. His call to Moses was not merely about freeing a people but establishing a relationship with them. This illustrates that God’s holiness is intertwined with His love and mercy.
3. When God calls Moses, He promises His presence, saying, “I will be with you.” This divine assurance is foundational for any mission God assigns. It emphasizes that the success of our calling is not based on our abilities but on God’s presence and power working through us.

❓ Discussion Questions:

• How does God’s response to the Israelites’ suffering reflect His character and priorities?
• What does it mean for you to know that God is aware of your struggles and hears your cries?
• How can we maintain a balance between recognizing God’s holiness and experiencing His closeness?
• What are some practical ways we can become more aware of God’s presence in our daily lives?

✏️ Personal Application:

• Reflect on areas in your life where you need to trust in God’s presence and promise to be with you. Pray for faith and courage.
• Identify someone in your community who is suffering, and consider how you can be an instrument of God’s compassion and deliverance to them.
• Spend time in worship, focusing on God’s holiness and expressing gratitude for His presence in your life.

Session 4: Responding to God’s Call

[Exodus 3:13-15]

📖 Opening Scripture: “God said to Moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you.'” (Exodus 3:14)

💭 Teaching Summary:

1. God’s name, “I AM WHO I AM,” reveals His eternal nature and self-existence. It assures Moses and the Israelites of God’s unchanging presence and faithfulness. This name signifies that God is the constant in an ever-changing world, a foundation upon which we can build our faith and trust.
2. Moses’ interaction with God demonstrates that God’s call often comes with divine assurance. Despite Moses’ doubts and objections, God provides the assurance of His presence and a sign of His ongoing work. This teaches us that God equips those He calls, addressing our fears and inadequacies with His promises.
3. The narrative shows that our response to God’s call should be one of obedience and faith. Like Moses, we may initially feel unprepared or unworthy, but God’s call is not about our capabilities; it’s about His power working through us. Our willingness to step forward in faith enables God to accomplish His purposes through us.

❓ Discussion Questions:

• What does the name “I AM” reveal about God’s character and His relationship with us?
• How do you respond when you feel inadequate for a task God is calling you to? What can you learn from Moses’ example?
• In what ways can we trust God’s promises when stepping into new or challenging situations?
• How can we cultivate a heart of obedience and faith in response to God’s call?

✏️ Personal Application:

• Consider an area of your life where you feel God is calling you to serve. Write down any fears or doubts you have, and then pray for God’s assurance and guidance.
• Reflect on God’s name, “I AM,” and what it means for your faith journey. How can this understanding strengthen your relationship with Him?
• Choose one action step to take this week to demonstrate your obedience to God’s call in your life.

Session 5: Living Out the Call

[Exodus 3:16-22]

📖 Opening Scripture: “Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, ‘The Lord, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt.'” (Exodus 3:16)

💭 Teaching Summary:

1. God instructs Moses to share the message of deliverance with the elders of Israel, emphasizing the importance of community and leadership in God’s redemptive plan. This highlights that God’s call often involves collaboration and collective action, reminding us that we are part of a larger body working towards His purposes.
2. The promise of deliverance to a land flowing with milk and honey signifies God’s provision and abundance. This promise reassures us that God’s plans for us are good and that He provides for His people as they follow His call. It encourages us to trust in His provision as we step out in faith.
3. Moses’ story illustrates that God’s call often requires stepping out of our comfort zones and confronting challenges. Yet, it is in these moments that we experience God’s faithfulness and power most profoundly. Our willingness to embrace God’s call, despite the obstacles, leads to transformation and growth in our spiritual journey.

❓ Discussion Questions:

• Why is it important to involve others in the mission God has given us? How can we foster a sense of community in our ministry efforts?
• How does knowing God’s promises and provision impact our willingness to follow His call?
• What challenges have you faced when stepping out in faith, and how did you experience God’s faithfulness in those times?
• How can we encourage and support each other as we respond to God’s call in our lives?

✏️ Personal Application:

• Identify a ministry or service opportunity where you can work collaboratively with others to fulfill God’s call. Commit to participating actively and supporting the team.
• Reflect on God’s promises of provision and abundance. Write down specific ways you can trust Him more in your current circumstances.
• Encourage someone in your community who is stepping out in faith by offering support, prayer, or practical assistance.

Closing Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the call You place on each of our lives. Help us to trust in Your presence and promises as we step out in faith. Give us the courage to embrace Your call, knowing that You will equip us for the journey ahead. May we always approach You with reverence and awe, seeking to glorify Your holy name in all we do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.