Good evening. Tonight we are going to work our way though Exodus chapters 18-20. Most of these chapters deal with Moses at Mount Sinai. Before we begin, let open with a word of prayer. Let’s Pray!
As you were growing up, how were arguments settled in your family?
Well, while the Israelites were in the desert, Moses worked hard judging the disputes of the people. Now, in this next chapter, we see his father-in-law, Jethro, sees that what he is doing is not healthy and suggests a better way of accomplishing his task. Let’s take a look at that now. Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that for me please. (READ 18:1-27)
From what you have read so far, what can you infer was Moses’ job description?
Why do you think that Moses worked so hard?
How do you think Moses felt after this critique of his leadership?
If you had been Moses, how would you have felt about Jethro’s advice?
What responsibilities have been wearing you out lately?
How did you react the last time that you were corrected or criticized by someone?
At this time, allow me to go ahead and read for you what the commentary had to say about chapter 18. It says, (READ COMMENTARY)
Now, before we move on, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?
Well, if that is all, let’s move on and take a look at chapter 19 at this time. And let’s just go ahead and jump right into this chapter. Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that for us please. (READ 19:1-25)
Okay, while the Israelites were camped by Mount Sinai, God powerfully appeared to them. As part of that revelation, the Lord spoke what we will look at in a few moments. We know them as the Ten Commandments. But in this chapter, it is talking about being there by the mountain.
As you look at verses 4-6, what does God expect from the people?
Now, as you think about the emphasis that is placed on this event, there is a great deal of things mentioned. There is a barrier put up to keep people from the mountain. They are to wash their clothes, abstain from sex, and there were special effects too. There was dense cloud cover, thunder, lightning, trumpet blasts, smoke, and earth tremors. What does all of this tell you about the importance of the event that is about to take place?
Why does God do all of those things?
After all was said and done with, who met with God that day?
How do Christians “wash” or “abstain” in order to get ready for an encounter with God today?
What does Peter urge us to do to become, “a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, belonging to God.”? (I Peter 2:9 – “…obey His message… and declare the praises of Him…”)
At this time, let me go ahead and read the commentary and what it has to say about chapter 19. It says, (READ COMMENTARY)
Now, before we move on to the next chapter, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?
Well if that is all, we will move on and take a look finally at chapter 20 for this evening. In this chapter, we see what we know as the Ten Commandments. Let’s go ahead and jump right into this chapter. Whoever has the last key, go ahead and read that for me please. (READ 20:1-26)
Now, why do you think God gave us these rules?
Of all the 10 commandments, which does our society most need to hear?
At this time, I want us to take a quick look at each of these commands for a moment. First, the command, “You shall have no other gods before me.” What does that command mean to you today?
Secondly, “You shall not make for yourself an idol…” What does that command mean to you today?
What idols do we have a tendency to worship in today’s world?
What does it mean that God is a jealous God?
Thirdly, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.” What does that command mean to you today?
How do we fall into that trap verbally and physically? (what we say, and what we do)
Fourth, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.” What does that command mean to you today?
How did they honor the Sabbath day in the Old Testament?
How do we honor the Sabbath day in the New Testament?
Five, “Honor your father and your mother.” What does that mean to you today?
What is the promise that is attached to this command that is not with any others?
Six, “You shall not murder.” What does this command mean to you today?
What else could we add to this command? (hatred – Jesus said, I tell you the truth…)
Seven, “You shall not commit adultery.” What does that mean to you today?
Is this command only to the physical act of adultery or does it cover more?
Eight, “You shall not steal.” What does this mean to you today?
In what ways do we steal? (from others, and from God)
Nine, “You shall not give false testimony.” What does this mean to you today?
How do we fall guilty of this command?
And finally, ten, “You shall not covet.” What does this mean to you today?
What are some things or some ways that we covet today?
What seem to be the focus of verses 3-11, and verses 12-17? (3-11 – Us and God, 12-17 – Us and others)
Why create only an earthen altar and not one of “dressed” stone?
What could a dressed up altar tempt us to do?
At this time, allow me to go ahead and read for you what the commentary had to say about chapter 20. It says, (READ COMMENTARY)
Now, before we close this evening, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?
Well, if there is nothing else, for next week we are going to look at chapters 21-23.
Announcements/Prayer Concerns
Let’s Pray!
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