Road trips are always busy! From the stops along the way, wrong turns, and warring children, you may even need a couple of weeks to recover from your vacation. Equally, most people in our community would generally describe their lives as busy. When you ask people, "How are you?", one of the most common responses you will hear is "busy." We tend to be addicted to busyness as a culture. Moses' struggle was no different. This study looks at what it takes to overcome being busy.
What is the most hectic or busy vacation you have ever been on (where it took a couple days or weeks to recover from)?
1. On a scale of 1 to 10, one being completely relaxed and 10 being extremely busy, how would you rate yourself?
2. What are some of the physical, spiritual, and emotional dangers of being so busy?
3. Read Exodus 18:13-23. In what ways was Moses so busy? How does Jethro correct him?
Exodus 18:13-23 The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?” Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God. When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.” “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”
Exodus 18:13-23
The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening.
When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?”
Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God. When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.”
“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.”
4. What are some possible reasons that Moses got so busy? What issues might be under the surface of your busyness?
5. Why do busy people stop participating in church, serving others, or making time for God in general?
6. How were things better for Moses and the people when he made time for what was most important? What if you did the same in your life?
7. What are some ways you can overcome busyness this week? Specifically, what do you need to stop doing? What do you need to start doing?
This last weekend we gave each person who attended the homework to take the time to evaluate, eliminate, and to elevate. We asked each individual to evaluate what was really going on by making a list of where you are spending most of your time. Then we encouraged people to ruthlessly eliminate the things that are unimportant: hobbies, video games, sports, dead-end relationships, Netflix, etc. Finally, we challenged everyone to elevate the things that will matter the most to you 5-10 years from now. Have your group do this homework together. Give them a sheet of paper and have them work through these three steps on their own. When they are done or if you did this in advance, have them share what they plan to eliminate and elevate together with the group. When you are done, take some time to pray together.
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1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
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