Key Bible Passage(s):

Ex.3-4; 19-20 & 32

Tier 1:

Exodus signals the start of a section of the Bible that is about showing us what it looks like for Christ to come to us as one of us and to lead us out – through baptism – into relationship with His Father, and into a New Creation where sin and curse and exile are no longer a feature. It is a cosmic drama played out on the stage of human history for all to see. The most basic level that this session operates at is to help people know the story of Exodus, and that it points beyond itself.

Tier 2:

Understanding that Moses is (largely, but not exclusively) playing the part of Christ is the key to unlocking the Book of Exodus. But as we meditate on His encounter with Moses at the ‘burning bush’ we begin to understand that this is preceisely what he is being commissioned to. He is ‘sent’ to lead the people out of the slavery and death of Egypt. As we watch him, we learn the mechanics of Christ’s work for us. And that story is infinitely more dramatic.

Tier 3:

The Church’s role is considerably more ambiguous. Their failure to grasp the significance of the Gospel (Heb.4:2) leads to failure, disobedience nad unfaithfulness. The Lord in His mercy provides a school-teacher (Gal.3:24-25) to help us understand and grow into His vision for our life together with Him. Studying Exodus teaches us the dynamics of discipleship and gives us an incredibly visual sense of what it means to grow in faithfulness to Christ and Christlikeness.

In essence, Jesus was saying, “I am the Passover; I am the Pascal Lamb; I am the one who will be sacrificed for you. It is by My blood being marked over the door of your life that you will escape the wrath of God.” So He said: “From now on, this is My blood, which is shed for you for the remission of your sins. This is the blood of a new covenant.

R.C.Sproul

Group Discussion:

How does Moses grow from the fearful, reluctant man of Ex.3-4 to the man of God he later becomes?  What lessons are there for us to learn if we want to grow in our faith?

Ex.9:16 and 10:2 give the Plagues a universal agenda.  What are they designed to achieve in Egypt? …before the nations of the world? …in the life of the Church throughout the ages?  What can the account of the plagues teach us today, as Christians living in Ipswich? 

What do you think is the significance of the fact that the Plagues of Egypt are repeated in the book of Revelation (e.g. Rev.9:3; 16:3-4; 16:10; 16:13 etc.)?

Generations later, the Psalmist reflects on the plague of the firstborn, and finds that it evokes deep worship & celebration of His love (Ps.136: 10-12).  

As you reflect on the plagues, do you respond in the same way as the Psalmist?  Do you think you should?  How could draw closer to the Psalmist’s thinking and experience of worship?

and later in the session:

Why do you think that the people want an idol to worship? Why is Moses’ absence such an issue for Israel?  Why does the LORD keep Moses on Sinai for so long?  Are we vulnerable to the same issues?

How should Aaron have responded to the people’s request?  Why do you think he responds in the way that he does?  What can we infer about the nature of spiritual leadership from this encounter?

Why is idolatry such a huge problem?  Is the Lord’s anger and response justified?  Why / Why not?

What do we learn about Intercession from the plea of Moses (32:11-14)?  What do we learn about Christ’s intercessory ministry (Heb.7:25)?

Homework:

Over this half-term we have been working to memorise Matthew 5:43-48. You will have to keep refreshing the rest of the Sermon on the Mount whilst you do this (except for Matt.6:1-4, which we’ll memorise next half-term).

(we’ll memorise the whole of the Sermon on the Mount over the 3 years of DTP)

To Be A Christian: Q&A 25-34

Read: Leviticus 10 & 22-26