Key Bible Passage(s):

Tier 1:

Numbers tells the story of a first generation Church. Less than a year ago these people were slaves in Egypt, and the had no idea how to be Church.  Over the last year they have been just getting to know Christ and His ways. There are a lot of mistakes along the way, but this process of discipleship is something they have to go through together.  We have to learn how to be a Christian and that to be a Christian is to be part of the Church. 

Tier 2:

This can be a challenging book to read in any generation because the problems the Church faces in the wilderness remain a constant feature: grumbling, love of the world, racism, doubting the power of the Gospel, challenging those God has called into leadership, keeping the Sabbath… But through it is all we see God’s grace and faithfulness in disciplining His people, blessing them, providing for them and leading them to the border of the promised land.

Tier 3:

The book ends with a generation that have learned the lessons of the wilderness. They are ruthlessly and relentlessly focussed on and are overcome with a desire for the New Creation [symbolised by the Promised Land]. It is a generation that disassociates themselves from their parents. And the whole centre of gravity shifts towards a Church anticipating their entering Canaan, and the future Christ has for them.

You (Millennials) are the generation most afraid of real community because it inevitably limits freedom and choice. Get over your fear.

Tim Kellar

Group Discussion:

Why does God not redeem His people and take them straight to the Promised Land (New Creation)?

Why is the Lord’s first priority to get the people counted and organised? Why does the census focus on fighting men? What does this suggest about what lies ahead?

How should leadership work in a Church?

Do you think the Bible is unclear about how we should structure Church life? Why are there so many Churches that function so differently from each other?

How does our ‘personal’ sin affect the life and experience of the wider Church?

and later in the session:

How many of these patterns of sin (grumbling & complaining; racism; not desiring the New Creation; not keeping the Sabbath; unwillingness to be led; idolatry) do you think could be found in [our Church]?

What causes Christians to complain against the Lord?  Is such complaining ever justified?

What difference should our hope for the New Creation make to our lives?  How does what you believe about the future show itself in the way you live?

Are you ever tempted to think life would be better if you weren’t a Christian?  Do you find yourself envious of those who don’t follow Jesus?  Why?

What might a modern day Balaam look and sound like?

Homework:

Over this half-term we have been working to memorise Matthew 5:43-48. You will have to keep refreshing the rest of the Sermon on the Mount whilst you do this (except for Matt.6:1-4, which we’ll memorise next half-term).

(we’ll memorise the whole of the Sermon on the Mount over the 3 years of DTP)

To Be A Christian: Q&A 25-34

Read Deut.1-13 & 28-32