Wide Open, Week 11: Grand Lessons
Exodus 40:34-38 (NIV)
Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle.
36 In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; 37 but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out—until the day it lifted. 38 So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.
Philippians 3:12-14 (NIV)
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Discussion Questions
The sermon opened with the striking fact that the average Grand Canyon visitor stays just 20 minutes. Where in your spiritual life are you most guilty of the "two stops and a quick look" approach — and what would it look like to slow down and go deeper there?
Lesson 1 was wonder and awe — the idea that familiarity with God's presence can quietly slide into complacency. Have you ever found yourself so used to God being "in the neighborhood" that you stopped being amazed? What brought the wonder back?
The canyon guides insisted that everything carried in had to be carried back out — nothing left behind, nothing wasted. How does that principle of stewardship challenge the way you think about the resources — time, money, talent, creation — that God has entrusted to you?
Lesson 3 was pressing on — the idea that every step on a difficult trail is still moving you toward home. Where in your life right now does the trail feel the most serpentine or steep, and what keeps you putting one foot in front of the other?
The group hiked out together, carrying their own packs but encouraging each other along the way. Who in your life is doing that for you right now — and who are you doing it for?
The guide's instruction to eat and drink all along the hike rather than saving it for one big meal stuck with the preacher as a spiritual lesson. How are you replenishing yourself spiritually — and is it a steady rhythm or more of a "save it all for Sunday" approach?
The rabbi story in Lesson 6 — "where is your furniture?" "I'm just passing through" — is a gentle challenge to our accumulation of things. What is one thing you're holding onto that you could honestly release for someone who actually needs it?
Lesson 9 was about the hiker's rule: the one going uphill has the right of way. The sermon translated that into giving grace to those carrying heavier burdens. Is there someone in your life right now who deserves that right of way — and have you been giving it to them?
The message closed with the image of people standing at the rim, hesitant to go any further, while others who have been down in the valley and up on the mountain have something worth sharing. Who in your life is standing at the edge of faith — and what is one way you could invite them to go a little deeper?
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