Summary: This weekend is Memorial Day weekend, which is a time for many families to get away, rest, and catch up on spring gardening. But Memorial Day is also a solemn holiday set aside for the remembrance of American soldiers who have died during their service to our country.<br> It has been said, “There are no atheists in foxholes,” but through history many have it was their experience in the foxholes that made them atheists. In fact, the numbing violence of World War I turned a generation of European artists, poets, and scholars away from God as they asked how a benevolent deity could ever permit such atrocity.<br> Fortunately, many of us have little firsthand knowledge of war. But we all have experienced moments of life in which we wonder how a good God could have allowed things to turn out a certain way. In Deuteronomy 20, we find the laws that instruct Israel’s armies in the practice of war. And while these laws are quite humane by the standards of the ancient world, they still can be quite troubling in their content and the violence they permit.<br> What, then, should we do with the complicated things of life–whether situations or Scriptures–that seem to give us reason not to believe?<br> Podcast<br> <br> <br> Downloads<br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> <br> Date: May 29, 2016 // Title: Promised Land Living: You Shall Not Murder (Kill)<br> Scripture: Deuteronomy 5:17 // 19:1-22:8<br> ARRIVAL / SOCIAL TIME 15-20 minutes<br><br> Spend the first 15 minutes or so of your time together catching up and socializing with one another. Also find time to catch up together on how the assignments from last week turned out.<br> SERMON REVIEW 5-10 minutes<br><br> Fortunately, many of us have little firsthand knowledge of war. But we all have experienced moments in life in which we wonder how a good God could have allowed things to turn out a certain way. In Deuteronomy 20, we find the laws that instruct Israel’s armies in the practice of war. And while these laws are quite humane by the standards of the ancient world, they still can be quite troubling in their content and the violence they permit. What, then, should we do with the complicated things of life—whether situations or Scriptures—that seem to give us reason not to believe?<br> THE MAIN THOUGHT Keep this in mind as you facilitate discussion.<br><br> In the Kingdom, you can’t see the forest unless you see the Tree.<br> SEE IT Questions :: 10-15 minutes<br> Picture (what is the story saying?): What is the connotation of “murder” in the Deuteronomy passages? When God gave the Law, what was one thing He was setting up (what was He getting ready to do)?<br> Mirror (where am I in the story?): Are there events in my life that tempt me NOT to believe? When I look at the text itself, what do I learn about the heart of God? What does it show me about His character?<br> Window (How does the story change how I see the world around me?): Are there events in my life that tempt me NOT to believe? When I look at the text itself, what do I learn about the heart of God? What does it show me about His character?<br> BE IT – Practice<br> Change UP // What God has Done 5 minutes<br><br> In Rahab’s story (Joshua 2) we see that she turns to God because she has heard amazing stories of what He has done. Spend a few minutes speaking out statements of what God has done in the past, reminding yourselves that He can be trusted! He is for you!<br> Change IN // Take it to the Tree 15 minutes<br><br> Before your group meets, draw a tree (or a cross) on a board or something that is big enough to receive sticky notes during the exercise. Invite each person in the group to list a problem, an anxiety or a battle they have on a sticky note. Read them aloud and then stick them to the tree. As the Spirit leads, have a time of prayer together, naming what is written and choosing to leave those things at the Cross...
