Good evening.  Tonight, we are going to attempt to get through Exodus chapters 3-6.  We will go ahead and get started, and see how far we can make it.

Before we do though, let’s begin with a word of prayer.  Let’s Pray!

As we start, where have you had your most unusual or significant experience with God?

Well, as we take a look at this first section of chapter 3, we see Moses have an experience with a burning bush that spoke to him by name.  Whoever has the first 2 keys, if you could go ahead and read those for us please.  (READ 1-11, 12-22)

Though an Israelite by birth, Moses was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter.  After killing an Egyptian slave driver who was beating an Israelite slave, Moses fled to Midian, where he go married and became a shepherd.  According to Acts 7:23-30, Moses was 40 years old when he fled from Egypt and he was 80 years old when this story occurred.

How do you think Moses felt when God called his name from the burning bush?

Why do you think God revealed Himself to Moses in this way?

If you had been Moses, how would you have reacted to this encounter?

What does God ask Moses to do for Israel?

How does Moses respond?

Is Moses more unsure of himself or of God?  Why?

Moses was instructed to remove his sandals because he was standing on “holy ground.”  It was a way for Moses to prepare for a special encounter with God.  What do you do in order to prepare for your encounters with God while you are here at church?

At this time, allow me to go ahead and read for you what the commentary had to say about chapter 3.  It says, (READ COMMENTARY)

Does anyone have anything that they would like to add before we move on?

Well, if there is nothing else, we will move on and take a look at our next section.  As we begin this chapter, what are some of the best excuses that you have heard people give for not doing something?

Well, in this first section of chapter 4, we see Moses coming up with what look like to be excuses.  Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that for us please.  (READ 1-17)

Several years ago, Moses fled in fear for his life.  God has just revealed Himself to Moses, telling him to return to Egypt and lead his fellow Israelites out of their bondage.

What do Moses’ objections sound like to you?

What 3 objections does Moses raise?

How does God respond to each of them?

What was the point of the miraculous signs?

Why does God involve Aaron in this plan?

Now, before we move on, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?

Well, if there is nothing else, we will finish chapter 4.  And let’s just jump right into that.  Whoever has the next key, go ahead and read that.  (READ 18-31)

What failure on Moses’ part almost ends his opportunity to lead the Israelites?

Why is circumcision so important?  (Gen. 17:9-14)

How does Aaron fulfill his part of the plan?

Like Zipporah helping Moses, who or how has someone helped you fulfill the difficult requirements of your spiritual life?

At this time, I will go ahead and read what the commentary has to say about chapter 4.  It writes, (READ COMMENTARY)

Before we move on, does anyone have anything else that they would like to add?

Well, it that is it, we will move on and take a look at chapter 5.  And for time sake, let’s jump right into this passage as well.  Whoever has the next 2 keys, go ahead.  (READ 1-9, 10-21)

What do you think was Moses’ mood as he approached Pharaoh?

Why did Pharaoh refuse Moses’ request?

Who do you think was surprised most about Pharaoh’s refusal?

How do you characterize the response of the people to the extra work they were given?

When have you suffered for something that you did not do?

When everything seems to be going wrong for you, what do you do?

Before we move on, is there anything else?

Well if that is all, let’s take a look at our last section for tonight.  We are going to join 5:22-6:12, and then we are not going to read the rest of chapter 6 because it is just a bunch of names.  So whoever has the last key, go ahead and read that for us. (READ 22-12)

Pharaoh’s response to Moses and Aaron’s request to let the Israelites worship the Lord in the desert was to oppress the Israelite slaves even more.  The Hebrew foremen, who were beaten for not meeting their quota of bricks, in turn had just taken their frustrations our on Moses and Aaron.

How would you describe Moses as he approaches God at the beginning of this story?

As this story ends, what stands out to you the most?

When have you gotten frustrated or impatient with God like Moses and the Israelites did?

At this time, allow me to read for you what the commentary has to say about chapters 5 and 6.  It says, (READ COMMENTARY)

Before we close this evening, does anyone have anything that they would like to add?

Well, if there is nothing else, I will close us with a word of prayer and then we will be dismissed.  We will not meet next week, because I will be in Michigan.  But next time we meet, we will try and discuss chapters 7-10 if possible.

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