Discussion Guide
Throughout Scripture we see a pattern of how quickly people can move from worship to grumbling. The Israelites experienced God’s power firsthand yet still struggled to trust Him in the desert. We’ll look at what that reveals about our own hearts and how we can choose worship, even in hard seasons.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
1. What's something you know isn’t worth complaining about, but you still catch yourself complaining about anyway?
2. Read Exodus 15:1-2. What had God just done for the Israelites in this moment?
What words or phrases show how they felt about God here?
3. Read Exodus 16:2-3, 16:11-12. What were the Israelites saying and complaining about? What were they focusing on from their time in Egypt? What does God say about their grumbling, and how does He respond?
4. Read Numbers 14:2-4, 14:27-28. What were the Israelites wanting to do instead of trusting God? What does this reveal about their trust in Him? How does God respond to their continued grumbling?
5. Read John 16:32-33. Why does Jesus say He is not truly alone? According to this passage, what can we expect in this world, and what hope does Jesus give?
Action Step: This week, when you catch yourself starting to complain, pause and choose gratitude instead. Try this: say one thing you’re thankful for out loud to God in that moment, even if it’s small.
Share one way this series has changed how you worship.
Optional - Deeper Dive: Read Acts 16: 19-25. Think about Paul and Silas, they were beaten, stripped of their garments, and thrown into prison, but their response was not to question God, or to grumble, instead they chose to respond with praise and singing songs to God.