Standing in the Gap Series
Be Empowered for the Call
Study Guide
Message for Sunday June 16, 2019
This Week Reading: Ezekiel 2:1-7 Additional Reading: Acts 9:1-19
Introduction
God's word always brings us to a place where we are forced to make a choice between two roads. The road of obedience or the road of disobedience. Repeatedly throughout history people have had encounters with God. Some examples are all of the prophets (the word of the Lord came to them). See for example Daniel chapter 10. Other examples are the disciples (Luke 5), Paul (Acts 9) as well as countless people throughout history down to the present time. The basic sequence is an encounter with God - a call to be sent - and some basic instructions about what to say - an exhortation to be courageous. One commentator writes, " with the manifestation of the Lord follows the word of vocation (what to do). What God judges those he calls by is not success but rather obedience to the call. God seeks faithfulness. In the book of Ezekiel God repeatedly tells Ezekiel that Ezekiel's responsibility is to speak for God to the people but that he, Ezekiel, is not responsible for the response of the people. The response is the responsibility of those hearing the message. Again as one commentator has written, " The faithful witness of the messenger is more important than a successful response from the hearers.
Main Themes: Encountering God - God's Call - Being an Instrument of God in the lives of others
Basic Outline:
I. An Encounter with Jesus - Verses 1-2 (also chapter 1)
Key Point: An encounter with God changes you and changes your direction. You need an encounter with God.
Related Scripture: Paul on the road to Damascus: “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.
II. Sent by Jesus on a Mission - verses 3-4
Key Point: A follower of Jesus is a sent person who lives everyday life as an instrument of God in a broken world.
Related Scripture: We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20
III. Your Responsibility
Key Point: You are responsible to tell people the message of Jesus. You are not responsible for their response.
Related Scripture: Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Background Information
Chapter 2 is a continuation of chapter 1. Chapter one tells us the context and the vision that Ezekiel has (his encounter with God) and chapter two is the call of Ezekiel to be God's instrument. Ezekiel is called, "son of man". The Hebrew word translated son of man is literally the word Adam. The one speaking to Ezekiel is God himself not an angel or other messenger. These verses are God's call to Ezekiel to be God's messenger. Ezekiel was a priest from a priestly family. He and the Israelite were in exile because of their turning away from God. Ezekiel is called to speak for God to the people. This is the essence of what a prophet does - speaks God's word to people. The people are described as proud and stubborn and rebellious. God's concern is that His word is spoken to them so they at least have the chance of turning around (see Ezekiel 33:11). Ezekiel is responsible to speak God's word to them but he is not responsible for their response. The goal is that they will know God is reaching out to them.
Point of Light Group Guide:
A. Read out loud the purpose of your group:
We are a network of healthy groups caring for each other while expanding Jesus' Kingdom together as points of light.
B. Go over the introduction and background
C. Read Ezekiel 2:1-7 aloud together.
D. Discuss the following questions together
Point of Light Group Guide:
A. Read out loud the purpose of your group:
We are a network of healthy groups caring for each other while expanding Jesus' Kingdom together as points of light.
Point of Light Group Questions
1. What does it mean to have an encounter with God? Describe any experiences you have had in encountering God? Can you think of any incidents in the Bible where people encountered God? What do you learn from them?
2. What is God calling Ezekiel to do? Why do you think God is calling Ezekiel to do that? What does God call you to do for Him today? What does he call your group to do?
3. How are the people described? Read verse 3-4 and pick out the words God uses to describe the people. What do these words mean? Are there people like that today? Why are people like that? Have you ever been like that?
4. What does it mean to be responsible to someone but not responsible for someone? Discuss the implications of that understanding? How does knowing what is and is not your responsibility help you in speaking with people about Jesus?
5. Why do you think Ezekiel would be afraid of confronting the people with God's word? Why do people today have a fear of telling others God's word? How can the fear be overcome?
6. Imagine what your group would be like if you all regularly focused on reaching out to other people as a priority. How would your group be different than it is now? What keeps that from happening?
7. What application do you have from this study? Have everyone in the group give an application.
2. What is God calling Ezekiel to do? Why do you think God is calling Ezekiel to do that? What does God call you to do for Him today? What does he call your group to do?
3. How are the people described? Read verse 3-4 and pick out the words God uses to describe the people. What do these words mean? Are there people like that today? Why are people like that? Have you ever been like that?
4. What does it mean to be responsible to someone but not responsible for someone? Discuss the implications of that understanding? How does knowing what is and is not your responsibility help you in speaking with people about Jesus?
5. Why do you think Ezekiel would be afraid of confronting the people with God's word? Why do people today have a fear of telling others God's word? How can the fear be overcome?
6. Imagine what your group would be like if you all regularly focused on reaching out to other people as a priority. How would your group be different than it is now? What keeps that from happening?
7. What application do you have from this study? Have everyone in the group give an application.
E. This Week's Challenge: Discuss as a group how you can be a light of hope to others in your community. Develop and work a plan.
F. Prayer Time:
1. Pray for an empty chair representing new people who you want to join the group.
2. Pray for the needs of the members of the group. It is best to divide into 2 groups one of male and the other female.
Additional Resource:
An Invitation:
Become part of what God is doing and connect with a group.
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