Sermon Study Guide | Series: Foreign Faith | Sermon: Letting God take the lead |
Scripture: Exodus 13:21–22; 14:19–20; 33:9–11; 40:34–38; Psalm 37:5–7; Proverbs 3:5–6; Matthew 6:33
Date: August 17, 2025

CONNECT - “A Personal Reflection”

This section is designed to help you relate personally to the theme of the sermon. It encourages you to reflect on your own life experiences and how they connect to the message.

Have you ever taken a shortcut that ended up costing you more in the long run—maybe in your commute, relationships, or even your spiritual life? This week, we explored the reality that God often chooses the long, winding road for our good, not because He’s inefficient, but because He’s forming something deep within us. As we step into the fall, filled with routines, expectations, and pressures, how might God be inviting you to trust Him with the pace and direction of your journey? Share with your group

ENGAGE - “Exploring the Scripture”

This section invites you to dive into the biblical passage, discuss its meaning, and apply it to your life through thoughtful questions.

• Read Exodus 13:21–22 and Exodus 40:36–38 together
  
  
  
  • What stands out to you about the way God led Israel through the wilderness?
    
    
  • Share about a time in your life that you felt the Spirit showing you that it was time to move forward?
    
    
• Read Proverbs 3:5–6 and Psalm 37:5–7
  
  
  
  • Share about a time in your life that you leaned on your own understanding. 
    
    • What happened as a result?
  • What does trusting in the Lord look like practically when the road feels long or unclear?
    
    
  • Where in your life do you sense a temptation to rush ahead of God?
    
    
• Consider the phrase: “God’s long road isn’t a detour; it’s the design.”
  
  
  
  • How have you seen that play out in your own life or in someone else’s story?
    
    
  • What do you think God might be forming in you through your current season?
    
    
• Consider the phrase: “What if we stopped asking God ‘what’s next?’ and started asking Him ‘what’s left?’”
  
  
  
  • How might that shift your mindset or prayers right now?
    
    
• Revisit Matthew 6:33.
  
  
  
  • What does it mean to “seek first the kingdom of God” when the easier or faster path is tempting?
    
    
  • What modern “shortcut keys” do you find yourself tempted to trust more than God’s timing?

APPLY - “Putting the Scriptures into Action”

This section challenges us to take what we’ve learned and implement it in practical ways in our daily lives.

• Identify one area of your life where you’ve been trying to take a shortcut—emotionally, spiritually, or practically. What would it look like to surrender that to God’s pace?
  
  
• Journal or discuss with a trusted friend:
  
  
  
  •  “Where has God used a ‘long road’ in my life to protect or develop me—and how can I thank Him for that today?”
    
    
• If God’s direction were as clear as the pillar of cloud and fire for Israel, what would you do differently this week?
  
  
• Commit to practicing “slow obedience in the same direction.” What’s one habit or rhythm you can adopt this week to stay aligned with God’s timing? How will you fast from going fast?

PRAY - “Seeking God’s Guidance”

This section offers a short prayer to help us center our hearts and invite God to work in our lives through his scripture.

God, thank You for being our guide—even when the road feels long and uncertain. Help us to resist the temptation to rush or shortcut the journey You have us on. Form in us the kind of character, patience, and trust that can only be shaped in the wilderness. Give us eyes to see Your direction, even when it’s not flashy, and hearts that rest in Your perfect timing. Teach us to wait well and walk faithfully—one step at a time—with You. Amen.

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