January 29 Questions

Part of understanding balance in our faith comes when we allow that balance to be challenged. Read Joshua chapter 2 and reflect upon the dangerous obedience and provision shown by the spies. Consider these ideas and questions this week.

• Describe a time when you made a significant step in your relationship with God.


• Was that a result of you making an effort to seek God?


• Are there areas in your faith life in which you feel you are too safe?


• Why do you think we tend to stay safe in our faith?


• What can you do this week to risk balance for the sake of knowing God better?

January 22 Questions

So much of our faith is shaped by time. One of the dangers we face is that we become imbalanced in our attention to the past, present, and future. Consider these questions in your personal and group study of Joshua 3-4.

• What event (or events) in your life up to this point has had the greatest impact on who you are now?


• How do you generally view your current situation in life - more towards the positive or the negative point of view?


• What events are you looking forward to in your future - both short-term and long-term?


• Do you feel like you do a good job balancing your attention to the past, present and future? Do you tend to focus too much on one?


• Read Joshua 3-4. What elements of time do you see in this account of the Hebrews' journey?


• What role do the 12 stones play in the story and in the past, present, and future of God's people?


• What role does time play in your faith?

January 15 Questions

Maintaining balance in our spiritual lives is similar to riding a bike--balance is necessary to get from one point to another. Consider these questions in your study and reflection this week.

• What does a balanced spiritual life look like to you?


• Describe a time when you faced an obstacle that knocked you off balance in your spiritual life.


• Read Deuteronomy 34:1-12. Re-read verses 1-4, and consider it from Moses' perspective.


• Have you considered what your "Promised Land" might be? Are you willing to go there, but not get there, as Moses?


• Can you think of others (Biblical Characters, Historical figures, Family members, friends) who have made progress on the way to a destination but did not get there?


• What are you leaving for those who will continue the journey after you?


• How do you keep your journey from becoming wandering?

January 8 Questions

Balance is something that is so much a part of our lives that we may forget that it is really something that we work to maintain. Most of the time we are sure-footed but if we were to walk across a beam we could notice our body adjusting in order to maintain balance. When things are smooth we don't even notice. What effect has balance had you your life recently?

Have you ever had an experience where you lost you balance and felt out of control?

How do you feel when life gets out of balance and you feel like you are losing control?

Moses had a lot to balance in his life in terms of his identity and experience. Do you have things in your life that you feel have had an influence on your balance?

What are some things in your experience that have helped you identify with others in ministering to them?

What ministries are you currently passionate about? What new opportunities do you sense that God is beginning to speak to you about?