Deuteronomy 8: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Deuteronomy 8 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

The Israelites are commanded to obey all the commandments given by Yahweh to live and possess the land (vv. 1-2). They are to remember their journey through the wilderness, where Yahweh tested and humbled them, providing manna and teaching reliance on His words (vv.

Key verse

“You shall remember all the way which Yahweh your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, to prove you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments, or not.”
Deuteronomy 8:2 (WEB)

Outline

Deuteronomy 8:1–2 Call to Obey God's Commandments
Deuteronomy 8:3–5 Lessons from the Wilderness
Deuteronomy 8:6–10 The Promise of a Good Land
Deuteronomy 8:11–14 Warning Against Forgetfulness
Deuteronomy 8:15–16 God's Faithfulness in Adversity
Deuteronomy 8:17–19 The Danger of Pride
Deuteronomy 8:20 Consequences of Disobedience

Discussion questions

In v2, what does Yahweh want the Israelites to remember about their time in the wilderness?
What does Yahweh feed the Israelites with in v3 that they did not know?
The phrase 'man does not live by bread only' in v3: what does this teach about reliance on God?
In v17, what does the warning about 'My power and the might of my hand' suggest about Israel's attitude?
When have you experienced a time of abundance that made you forget to 'bless Yahweh your God' (v10)?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Deuteronomy 8: Matthew 4, Romans 8, Proverbs 10.

Before next time: read Deuteronomy 9.