Purpose in the Pivotal, Part 3: Working For Our Good
May 11, 2025

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Message Review

Life often feels overwhelming in the valleys—those painful, confusing seasons we never expected. But valleys aren’t dead ends; they are divine pivots. In the midst of those pivotal circumstances, we can panic, complain, or stay calm and trust God to lead us through. Even when we can’t see it, God fights for us and works for our good. The enemy whispers lies—fear, hopelessness, loneliness—but God's truth reminds us we are never alone. Like the Israelites at the Red Sea, what looked like a dead end became a miracle. God uses even our darkest valleys to lead us to His purpose.

Main Point: Valleys aren’t dead ends – they are divine pivots. When we walk through them with God, we discover not just healing, but purpose.

Scripture References: Proverbs 3:5-7; Exodus 14:10-14, 21-22; John 8:44; Colossians 2:13-15; Psalm 23:1-6

Bible Study      

The focus Bible passage from the sermon was Exodus 13:17-14:31. Before going to the Sermon Discussion Questions, study the passage by reading through it together, then talk through it using the following Inductive Bible Study Method questions that follow:

  • Context: Discuss the context of this passage (Use the Bible Overview to learn the context)

  • Observation: What do you notice in this passage? What words or phrases stick out to you? And why?

  • Interpretation: What was Jesus’ original intent in this passage? What main point(s) was he trying to communicate, and why is that important?

  • Application: What is one key takeaway or insight you had from this passage? How can or should you apply it to your life?

  • Questions: What questions/tensions do you have from this passage that you want to discuss?

Discussion Questions

  • What were your initial thoughts or takeaways from the sermon?

  • Can you think of a time when you hit a "mile 11" moment—where quitting seemed easier than continuing? How did you respond?

  • When challenging (also known as pivotal circumstances) hit, why do you think our natural tendency is to pivot away from God by panicking or complaining?

  • What lies do you think the enemy tries to whisper to us most in the midst of our valley seasons? Why are they so easy to believe?

  • Read Exodus 14:10-14.

    • What emotions do you think the Israelites were feeling as they faced the Red Sea and the Egyptian army?

    • How did Moses’ reminder to pivot toward God and “stay calm and trust God” speak to their situation, and how might that same reminder apply to struggles you're facing today?

  • Read Romans 8:28. How might believing this truth change the way you walk through your current or future valleys?

  • Read Psalm 23:1-6 together. What specific phrases in this psalm offer encouragement for someone walking through a rugged valley?

  • What makes it hard to pivot toward God by staying calm and trusting God when you're in the midst of a valley? How can reminding yourself of that truth change how you experience your valley?

  • What are some practical ways you can remain calm and pivot toward God when you're walking through a valley?

To watch or listen to Sunday’s sermon, visit our Sermons page.