
We’re jumping in to learn some great lessons from the lesser known “unsung heroes” in Scripture. Some of the most inspiring heroes of our faith were ordinary people whom God used in extraordinary ways. How can you allow God to use you?
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We encourage you to jot down what you hear God speaking to you about today as you listen to the teaching. Plan on diving deeper into the message by downloading the study guide on Sunday night so you can compare your notes with the guide as a path for deeper spiritual commitment. Once posted, the teaching video and study guide can be found under the Media tab.
Unsung Heroes - week 4
Jethro… father-in-law to Moses
A little background…
Exodus 2-4
Moses reunites with his family…
Jethro’s Wise Advice
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.” —NLT Exodus 18:13–23
Understand the difference between good advice and Godly wisdom
Advice in the context of Scripture is equivalent with Godly wisdom…
Foolishness brings joy to those with no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path. Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many advisers bring success. —NLT Proverbs 15:21–22
Commit to being a good receiver of Godly wisdom and advice
Three zones of being an advice receiver
I’m Resistant … I’m Open … I’m Seeking it
Two prerequisites…
Humility and connected to the right source…
Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations. —NLT Psalms 119:105–106
Be a good advice giver
And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it.
But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ —NLT 1 Peter 3:15–16
Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. —NLT Ephesians 4:29
Three Keys to the transforming power of Godly wisdom and advice
1. The transformation is in the application
But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
NLT James 1:22–25
2. God is with us
3. When we live for the purpose bigger than ourselves, our lives transcend this world.
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