MURMURS IN THE WILDERNESS
LESSON 8 WHAT APPLICATIONS CAN WE MAKE FOR OUR LIVES TODAY?
"Nor complain, as some of them also complained..." (1 Corinthians 10:10, NKJV).
There are several options for us now:
1) We can look at this lesson as a history lesson from the Old Testament, and go our way without growing, except in perhaps a bit of knowledge from the Old Testament.
2) We can choose to sit back now and say, "If we had been there, we would never have murmured like those Israelites murmured!"
3) We can choose to make applications from this lesson to help us overcome our own murmuring, complaining, and grumbling.
Let’s look at verses from the New Testament which speak of murmuring.
1. Please give a New Testament verse that warns against murmuring / complaining.
2. John 6: 41 - 43, Jesus told the Jews not to ______________ among themselves.
What was their complaint?
From this passage, what would Jesus say about murmuring today?
Many times the Pharisees and scribes murmured and complained about Jesus. Did that please God?
Luke 15:1-2, "Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, ‘This Man receives sinners and eats with them."
Let’s consider some causes of murmuring.
3. Review the 15 occasions of murmuring we have studied. List some causes of murmuring and complaining, either from these occasions or from situations in today’s world.
4. Please take one of these causes of murmuring and discuss:
a) Why this might cause murmuring
b) Give possible results from the murmuring
c) Share verses that tell why this cause of murmuring is wrong
d) Share verses that would help overcome this cause (this sin)
e) Any other ideas you think would be helpful in discussing this cause of murmuring
Are we murmuring when we cry out to God for help with problems?
5. Is there a difference between murmuring and seeking God’s help with problems?
Explain your answer.
6. Psalm 18:6, "In my ___________ I __________ upon the LORD, And _______ out to my God; He ____________ my voice from His temple, And my ____ came before Him, even to His ears."
Does God want us to call upon Him in our distress?
7. Hebrews 4:16, "Let us therefore come _________ to the throne of _________, that we may __________ mercy and find _________ to ______ in time of ________."
The choice is yours. No one else can decide what you do now with these lessons. You can forget about the lessons or your can use them to help you grow.
8. Please make comments about this study (such as ways it could be improved, things you would like to have covered in the lesson, etc).
Ask questions you might have and provide helpful suggestions concerning the course.
If you have topics you would like to see offered for study in the future, please list those.
FOR PERSONAL REFLECTION
9. Ask yourself: Am I guilty of murmuring and complaining?
Take time to prayerfully consider if there are murmurings in your life that need to be confessed to God.
If there are, try to locate the cause or causes of the murmurings.
Decide on a "plan of action" for overcoming both the cause(s) and the murmurings.
Don’t forget to ask God to help you.
Write down lessons you have learned from this which will help you to continue growing.
Questions 9 and 10 are only for you. Write out your answers, but they are not to be returned with the rest of your lesson.
10. Ask yourself: Do I have problems for which I need to ask help from God?
Prayerfully consider any difficulties you need to take to God.
God knows our struggles, but He wants us to ask.
"Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time of need" Hebrews 4:16
.Thank you for participating in this class. My prayer is that you have been blessed and encouraged as you blessed and encouraged me during the time of this study.
Dena
Send lesson to d_ivie_obc@hotmail.com