God Is Great and Good (33:18-34:8)

 
God Is Great and Good (Site)
Series Setup
Sermon Slides

Food for Thought

  • Ice Breaker: If someone says that they saw something (the Grand Canyon, for instance) “in all its glory,” what do they mean? How is it different from just seeing a picture or recording of it?

    • Would you say you’ve seen something “in all its glory” before? What was it?

      • Was it different seeing it that way than the way you’d seen / heard about / imagined before?

  • Read Exodus 33:19-23. What do you think Moses is really wanting when he asks to see God’s glory?

    • How does God answer Moses? What does he say he’ll let him see? What won’t he? (…and why?)

    • What does God have to provide for Moses so he can see and hear a sliver of his glory?

    • What does it make you feel or think, knowing God’s greatness can distance him from you? Does it make it easier or harder for you to trust him?

  • Read Exodus 34:1-7. What’s all the “goodness” that God declares about himself?

    • Why does his justice last only a few generations while his love lasts a thousand?

    • Do you find any of that hard to believe or fit together?

  • Read Ezekiel 36:22-30. How does this prophecy point to the way God closes the gap between his greatness and his people?

    • How does Jesus fulfill this for us?

  • Read Isaiah 53. How does this prophecy point to the way God will fit together the goodness of his mercy with the goodness of his justice?

    • How does Jesus fulfill this for us?

  • Is there anything that’s causing you to doubt that God is both good and great? Or is there an area of your life where you're living as if he’s one, but not the other?

    • (EX: Do you relate with him as someone who’s near to you, but not able / wanting to help? Or as if he is able / wanting to help, but is simply too distant? etc., etc.)

    • What gospel truths about the Father, Son, and Spirit affirm his goodness and greatness towards you?

Reflection Questions

  • Which distortion of God are you prone to drift into: great, but not good / good but not great?

  • When God confronts your personal goodness, who yields (what does that reveal about your trust)?

  • What past "golden-calf" failure holds you back from trusting Jesus' goodness completely and worshiping God up close?

 
Core ChristianityScott O'Donohoe