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Call to worship: Psalm 143

Text: Deuteronomy 10:12-21

Summary:

A little pride is a dangerous thing. It makes us buy into the lies of the world, that we can make it on our own, that we control our surroundings, that we don't need one another. It makes us hard-hearted towards God, and hard-hearted towards one another. As Israel is reminded of their failures in the wilderness, Moses gives the people an image of the glorious God, creator and ruler of all creation, compassionate and merciful, just and good. This is the God to whom we speak, and the God who responds.

Sermon Outline:

1. For your good, vv12-13
2. The great, the mighty, and the awesome God, vv14-17
3. You were sojourners, vv18-19
4. By his name you shall swear, vv20-21

Prepare

Discussion Questions:

1. Read Deuteronomy 10:12-21. How does the character and work of God shared by Moses affect our efforts to pray? What trajectories do we see in God's work in and through Israel? Our your own prayers reflective of these attributes, actions and trajectories? What does the impact of our culture have on our prayers?
2. How does the fact that God's commands are for our good (v13) affect your prayers? How might your prayers be different if that was not the case? What is the impact of God's "ownership" of heaven, earth, and all within (v14)? What encouragement is there in our prayers for the church? How should this affect our prayers for those outside the church?
3. In verse 15, Moses reminds them of God's choice, but follows with a warning, or at least a challenge. Jesus corrects (as did the prophets before Him) the religious leaders for incorrectly understanding God's choosing of Israel and its implications. How should we understand God's choice and the call to "circumcise your heart?"
4. How do our circumstances and past affect our prayers for one another? How do these affect our prayers for the work of the church as it proclaims the gospel? How is God's character important as we reflect on the past, and on God's operation in our present?
5. Read 1 Samuel 1:4-17, and then reflect on Deuteronomy 10:20-21. How are prayer and oaths related? How is this reflected in Christian practice, or is it?