Quiet Table Guide: October 5-11
Scripture for the week: Numbers 20:1-12
In the first month the whole Israelite community arrived at the Desert of Zin, and they stayed at Kadesh. There Miriam died and was buried. Now there was no water for the community, and the people gathered in opposition to Moses and Aaron. They quarreled with Moses and said, “If only we had died when our brothers fell dead before the Lord! Why did you bring the Lord’s community into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place? It has no grain or figs, grapevines or pomegranates. And there is no water to drink!” Moses and Aaron went from the assembly to the entrance to the tent of meeting and fell facedown, and the glory of the Lord appeared to them. The Lord said to Moses, “Take the staff, and you and your brother Aaron gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community so they and their livestock can drink.” So Moses took the staff from the Lord’s presence, just as he commanded him. He and Aaron gathered the assembly together in front of the rock and Moses said to them, “Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?” Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank. But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them.”
1. Ready Your Heart
Begin with a moment of silence or a short prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide your time together.
2. Read
Slowly read this week’s passage. (Consider reading it out loud or in a different translation each day.)
3. Reflect
What word, phrase, or image stands out to you today? What in your life might the Holy Spirit be drawing your attention to?
4. Respond
How can you allow this word to shape your interactions, decisions, or perspective today? Remember what you shared with your group about what you are doing to put the word into practice.
5. Receive
Spend a few moments in stillness, surrendering your thoughts, plans, and actions to God and resting in the presence of Jesus.
6. Practice:
Here’s a simple process for naming and navigating emotions in real time:
First, name the emotion. What am I feeling right now? Don’t generalize; be specific. Anger? Fear? Sadness? Naming brings emotions into the light where God can meet you.
Second, notice the meaning. What story am I telling myself that’s fueling this feeling?
Third, feel it in God’s presence. Don’t suppress it or explode. Sit with it before God. Pray honestly: Lord, I’m angry. Lord, I’m afraid. Lord, I feel unseen.
Fourth, discern the invitation. What might God be saying to me through this feeling? Anger might invite you to set a boundary. Sadness might invite you to grieve. Fear might invite you to trust. Every emotion holds a spiritual invitation if we’re willing to listen.
Finally, choose a response. After naming and discerning, respond in ways that reflect Jesus—patience instead of reactivity, courage instead of withdrawal, love instead of bitterness.
