Giants in the Land (Study Guide)

“Giants in the Land”


Sermon Study Guide for February 22, 2026


Downloadable Version


Scripture: Numbers 13:26-33


1. Spying Out the Land


Valley of Eshkol (“cluster”)


flowing with milk and honey



2. The Valleys

a. The Valley of __________________________

grasshoppers


minority report - Caleb & Joshua




b. The Valley of _________________________



the blessing lies ___________________



forty years…





Questions to Discuss or Ponder:

  1. Why does transformation take so long?
  2. Why, do you think, does God ask Moses to send spies into the promised land?
  3. When have you felt like a “grasshopper” compared to the circumstances around you? How did that lead to a valley of discouragement?
  4. Why do the people refuse to accept the minority report? When have you been tempted to listen to the loudest voices rather than the true voice?
  5. How does the valley of discouragement become the valley of rebellion?
  6. Why is it so easy to forget the things God has already given us or the things he has promised to give us? Why does it seem easier to just go back to “Egypt”?
  7. In what way do we fail people when we tell them the Christian life is always easy?


Scripture for the Week:

Monday - Romans 14:10-23

Tuesday - John 16:31-33

Wednesday - Hebrews 3:1-19

Thursday - 1 Corinthians 10:1-13

Friday - Psalm 32

Saturday - Exodus 19:1-9


In response to this Scripture, how will you live?



Prayer Prompt: For those in the valley of discouragement.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Of the Same Mind

Image
Job 2:11-13 May 18, 2025 • Mount Pleasant UMC Well, it’s been an interesting year so far, but I am glad to be back in the pulpit today. I appreciate Pastor Rick jumping in to help with an extra week of preaching and all the other things, and I have appreciated all the calls and texts and messages and “Facebook likes” and chai tea lattes that have come my way. It has been quite a journey, one that is not over yet as there is yet another surgery in my near future, but I have appreciated the care that has come my way. Many of you know our sermon schedule is prayerfully planned out months in advance. And I can’t tell you how many times someone tells me, “That was exactly what I needed to hear today.” Well, today, I might be the one saying that because it seems that our preplanned schedule has lined up pretty well with my life. So don’t tell me the Holy Spirit can’t work through advance plans! As you know if you’ve been here with us, we’ve been looking at characteristics of communi...
Read more

First Focus (Study Guide)

“First Focus” Sermon Study Guide for April 8, 2018 Scripture: Matthew 6:5-15 Everyone prays… The Lord’s Prayer Jewish & Gentile Prayer “Teach us to pray…” A framework… Myths about prayer 2. Praying the Lord’s Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven… Hallowed be thy name… Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in  heaven… Give us this day our daily bread… And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who  trespass against us… And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from  evil… For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.  Amen. Questions to Discuss or Ponder: What was the first prayer you remember praying? What questions or struggles do you have when it comes to prayer? What has been your pattern of prayer up to this point? Are you satisfied with your prayer life? Why or why not? Why do we tend to believe “myths” about prayer (li...
Read more

God on the Gallows (Study Guide)

  “God on the Gallows” Sermon Study Guide for March 9, 2025 Downloadable Version Scripture: Luke 23:44-49 Power of the cross… 1. Where is God? a world where innocents suffer… Elie Wiesel “God is on the gallows” 2. The Cross a. Sun _____________________ (23:44-45) Amos 8:9-10 b. Curtain _____________________ (23:45) c. Witness ______________________ (23:47) 3. The Others (23:49) Romans 8:18 “Into your hands…” Questions to Discuss or Ponder: When have you experienced or witnessed an innocent person or group suffering? What was your response? Recall a time when you wondered where God was. How did you feel? How did you react? If you had been in the crowd on the day the sun went dark, what would have been your response? What is God trying to say through this sign? Why did the disciples and friends of Jesus stay around for so long? What do you think they were hoping for, watching for? In what way is hope a powerful antidote to the suffering of the world? What is your ...
Read more