Choose Life
Deuteronomy week 7
There’s only a few chapters left in Deuteronomy. And this one drops a bombshell. It almost seems unavoidable that God will have to jump in again in a major way for things to be put right. This is even before (!) they get close to seeing God’s current work with them finished. But, this section also shows us that God was not caught by surprise by his people’s disobedience. It shows us he always knew the only solution was going to be his work through Jesus and the gift of the Spirit.
Read the passage – Deuteronomy 30
What stood out to you? Was there something that really connected with you?
1. How many times does the word ‘heart’ appear here?
2. Look at verse 4. Can anyone in the group think about a time when this came true for Israel?
3. What do you reckon ‘circumcise your hearts’ means?
4. Why do you think choosing God is called choosing life?
Read:
28 A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. 29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
Romans 2:28-29
9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self, ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
Colossians 2:9-12
5. What and how has God acted on our hearts?
6. Think back over today, or this week. How could you have stopped to see what God was doing through your life? Do any moments stand out?
7. On Sunday there were 6 way we can live with the new heart of the Spirit. Can your group remember them? Which of them stood out for you, and why?