Week 8 - The Old Testament
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Family Life - Small Group Warm Up Question:
If you were to prioritize three things to do before you died, what would it be and why?
The Old Testament
Exodus 14-28
1. As God led his people on a longer route to the Promised Land, why did He not take them on the shortest route (Exodus 14:17-18)? When was a time that God took you on a “longer route” in life? How did that feel? What did God teach you through that season?
2. God led His people visibly through the “pillar of cloud” by day and a “pillar of fire” by night to guide and protect the people of Israel with “the angel of God” (Exodus 13:21-22 & 15:19). What do you think it was like to have this supernatural presence of God in front of them? Despite the visible presence of God with them, how did the Israelites respond when they saw Pharoah’s army behind them (Exodus 14:10-12)? How did Moses respond? How is God really with Christians all the time today? Why do we get so afraid and anxious? How can we better let God fight our fears and worries?
3. God defeats the Egyptian army such that “not one of them remained” (Exodus 14:28). How does this foreshadow God’s future victory through Jesus when all of His enemies are cast into the lake of fire? How do you think the Israelites felt when they realized that God had protected them and kept them safe?
4. What verse stands out to you the most from the song of Moses and Miriam in Exodus 15? Why? How does a song help someone remember a past event more clearly? What victories has God accomplished in your life that you should “sing” about? What are practical steps we can take to memorialize and remember what God has accomplished for us? Items in your house? Family traditions? Yearly celebrations?
5. Three days after this miraculous delivered in crossing the Red Sea, what do the Israelites start to do again? (Exodus 15:24) How did God respond? Exodus 16 begins with a similar issue (Exodus 16:2-3). How did God respond? What do you find yourself grumbling or complaining about a lot? Why is our grumbling and complaining often more serious of a heart issue than we realize? (Exodus 16:8) How can we better resist the temptation to grumble and complain?
6. Many of the Israelites “paid no attention” to the commands of God through Moses (Exodus 16:20) and their food was full of maggots and smelled. When we follow our own opinions, instead of the commands of God, what should we expect?
7. In Exodus 16:32-34 the Israelites keep a small amount of manna for the future generations to know how the Lord provided for them in the desert. In what practical ways can you intentionally pass on your faith to the next generation? How did your family pass on their faith to you?
8. In the battle against the Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16), the Israelites win as long as Moses held up his hands. As he tires, Aaron and Hur step alongside him to hold his hands up so that the battle is won. Who has stepped up alongside you to encourage, support, and help you in the battles you’ve faced in life? How have you stepped alongside others to help them?
9. What stands out to you from Moses’ encounter with God on Mount Sinai? What do the first four commands describe how to do? What do the last six commands describe how to do? How does that connect with Jesus’ summary of the law? (Matthew 22:34-40)
10. Many governmental/national laws are shared in Exodus 21-23. Which ones make sense to you/ Which ones are confusing to you? If you could, how would you change the laws of your nation today?
11. Why do you think God shares such specific instructions for the Tabernacle and Ark? (Exodus 25-40) How is this connected with the confirmation of the covenant in Exodus 24?
General Discussion Questions
• What do these passages teach us about our enemies’ attacks (deceptions, distractions, discouragement, and temptations)? How can we better resist these attacks?
Application Questions:How do you need to respond to and apply these truths to your life? (Is there a sin to avoid? A command to obey? An example to follow? A prayer to offer? A truth to remember or memorize? An attitude to change? A teaching to share?)