Trusted Guides

Disciples of Jesus need trusted guides who can teach us the truth, show us the way, and challenge us to grow on our journey of faith.

Today’s Bible Passage: Exodus 18:1-23; Ephesians 4:15; Proverbs 19:20; Proverbs 13:1, 14, 20.

Recap:

• God is our rescuer, guide, provider, and source of strength on the journey.

Today: Trusted Guides

• There are many points in our journey of faith when we realize we need the guidance and support of another believer.
• God in his grace sends us the travel companions we need who can offer us wisdom, insight, and when necessary — correction.
• God will reveal new truths to us that require us to pivot — to change course, come to new realizations, adapt to changing circumstances.

Jethro & Moses (Exodus 18)

• Two men help each other grow in faith by speaking the truth in love. Jethro comes to believe a new truth about God and Moses accepts a painful truth about his life.
• Both men end up experiencing a dramatic transformation because they humbled themselves, took the message to heart, and decided to make a change.

Jethro’s Response to the Good News

Scripture: Exodus 18:1-12

• Moses shares his testimony about God’s power, love, and salvation.
• Jethro hears the message, receives it with joy, and responds by proclaiming his faith, worshipping God, offering sacrifices, and fellowshipping with God and his people.

Jethro models a faithful, enthusiastic response to hearing the Gospel message.

• Jethro’s response is a stark contrast to others who heard about God in Exodus.
• Pharaoh — Opposed God.
• Israel — Doubted and complained.
• Amalekites — Attacked Israel.
• Jethro — Believed and worshipped.

Moses’ Response to a Hard Truth

Scripture: Exodus 18:13-23

How to Apply Passages Like This to Your Life:

1. Look for a direct application.In what ways do we struggle with the same things they did? Busyness, burnout, leadership bottlenecks, the 80/20 rule, etc.
2. Look for general principles that can apply in other situations. What broader lessons can we learn from this story and apply to our lives? Mentoring, trusted guides, humility, following advice, etc.

What’s In Your Blindspots?

• Max De Pree says that “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality.”
• Jethro blesses Moses’s immensely by pointing out an uncomfortable truth that was hiding in his blind spot.
• Moses could have denied reality, shot the messenger, or rationalized his behavior. Instead, he humbled himself, accepted reality, and pivoted to a new strategy.

Key Point: It takes remarkable courage, faith, and humility to accept a difficult truth and change your life accordingly. But this is often a necessary part of our spiritual growth.

What You Are Doing Is Not Good.

• The Good: Seeking God’s will, responding with God’s wisdom.
• The Bad: Bottlenecks and burnout.

Why did this situation turn out so well?

1. Jethro spoke the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).
2. Moses humbled himself and took the advice (Proverbs 19:20).

Both sides of that equation are necessary when difficult truths are hiding in your blind spot.

Reflection Questions:

• What’s in your blind spot? What false narratives, unhealthy practices, or mistaken beliefs are holding you back in your walk of faith?
• Who do you have as a trusted guide who can name those and help you grow?

Faith in Action / Application

1. Speak the truth in love and accept it with a humble heart.Don’t shoot the messenger!
2. Study God’s Word and seek out godly advice from a mentor or small group.
3. Learn the art of the spiritual pivot.

Closing Passage: Proverbs 13:1, 14, 20.

Next Steps: We would love to help you identify the next step in your walk with Jesus. Contact Bryan (bfojtasek@swestcc.org, 609-356-3147), another minister, or one of our shepherds.

Further Reflection and Study:

Prompt: Read Proverbs 27:2, 5, 6, and 17 (printed below). As you read, think about the role that trusted guides play in our walk with Christ. In what ways can you give and receive this kind of encouragement?

• “Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;an outsider, and not your own lips.”
• “Better is open rebukethan hidden love.”
• "Wounds from a friend can be trusted,but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
• "As iron sharpens iron,so one person sharpens another.”

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1. Bryan talked about the disorienting moment when Lewis and Clark realized they would need a trusted guide to help them finish their journey. Have there been any similar “Rocky Mountain moments” in your journey of faith? Who did you turn to, and how did they help?
2. Why is it important to have a mentor who is willing to speak the truth in love Reveal Answer a mentee who is willing to humble themself and respond? What happens when one side of that is missing?
3. What can you do to search out the uncomfortable truths, mistaken beliefs, or false narratives that are in your blind spots? Who can you trust to be honest with you in a loving, Gospel-centered way?
4. What are the primary skills or characteristics that a trusted Christian guide ought to have? What verses can you think of that support your answer?
5. What are the skills and characteristics faithful followers need to have?
6. How can you begin to normalize the process of speaking the truth in love and humbly accepting correction in your life, in your family, among your small group, etc.?
7. What is the call to action you are hearing?