Are you Available?

INTRODUCTION
What kind of person does God use? As you read through the Bible it becomes clear that God doesn't usually use the smartest or the most sophisticated person. He doesn't often use someone who has all the answers or who knows what he is doing. In fact, when I read the Bible and see the people God used I can’t help help but think, how does God get anything done? But as we examine the story of Moses it will become clear the one characteristic that God does use, and how He can leverage this quality in you. When you think about the people God used, they have one very important commonality with us…they raised their hand one day and said, “I’m available.” I’m not necessarily capable, trained or sure things are going to go well, but if there is a gap, put me in coach as long as you are coming with me.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Read Exodus 3:1-11. Why do people tend to think that God can't use them? What are the excuses they give for not making themselves available?

God says He has seen the plight of his people. Well, it’s been 400 years. God is always late from our perspective and on time from his. (Like how our kids think we are late all the time.) Moses must be thinking, this is very encouraging, why are you telling me this? What does this have to do with me? Then God says GO. “Wait God, let’s go back to verse 8. I heard you tell me you were going to go, which is awesome, so I think you should go.”

2. Read Exodus 3:12-14. What does God give to those who make themselves available (i.e. "I will be with you," v. 12)?

3. When have you felt God use you?

4. How have you felt God use this COMMUNITY in your life? How have you seen God use this COMMUNITY in the lives of others?

5. What does it take (time, talents and resources) to make these aspects of COMMUNITY happen?

6. In what volunteer capacity do you plan to make yourself available for God to use this coming year?

THINK ABOUT IT

What are the consequences of saying no…not being available? Think about all that Moses would have missed out on?

Imagine a year from now…what impact will we have made on our community or church? What things are you imagining? What will it take to make this happen? Make a list of the results that you expect to see a year from now in both your life and in the lives of others. How will things be different?

WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Seriously consider your level of involvement and investment into the community. If you are too busy to be involved, you’re too busy. You have to be available!

CHANGING YOUR MIND

And God said, "I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain. " Exodus 3:12