Welcome,
We’re delighted you’ve chosen to dig more deeply into the Scriptures and consider what God has for you through this sermon.
These sermon practices are ideally intended to be discussed with others, so find a friend, family member, or roommate to join you. If you haven’t yet joined a life group yet, check out our groups page or stop at the Welcome Center for more info.
EXPLORING SCRIPTURE: The Calling of Moses
Read aloud Exodus 3:1-22 to get a general overview of this chapter. Remember, Mt. Horeb is also referred to as both The Mountain of God and Mt. Sinai.
- What stood out to you?
- Which words, phrases or ideas were repeated?
- What was encouraging? What seemed challenging?
Read aloud Exodus 3:10-11
- What is God’s plan for Moses?
- What do you think Moses was thinking and feeling when he heard God plan?
- What is Moses’ response to that plan?
Read aloud Exodus 3:12
- How did God respond to the self-doubt of Moses?
- What kind of reassurances did God give to Moses?
Read aloud Exodus 3:13-14
- Moses has another concern, what is it?
- How does God respond to this concern?
Watch the video from Bible Project, entitled “God’s Name Has Changed?”
- Does it make sense why the Hebrew scribes substituted “The LORD” for “Yahweh”?
Read aloud Exodus 3:15-16. Remember that when the word “LORD” is written in all capitals, it is a visual reminder that Yahweh (the name of God) goes in this spot.
- What do we learn about the name of God from Chapter 3?
REFLECTION: Knowing God’s Name
While the name Yahweh (YHWH) had been mentioned prior to this moment in the biblical storyline, here we get a spoken explanation of the meaning of God’s name. Both in the Hebrew language and in English it is difficult to find a single word or sentence that carries all the meaning of the name, YHWH. Yet if we consider the various definitions God himself gives, we can discover much valuable insight about the meaning of his name. Accurate translations of the name, Yahweh include: I AM WHO I AM / I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE / ALL THAT I AM, I WILL BE TO YOU.
- What comes to your mind when you hear these phrases?
- Why do you think God would give himself this kind of a name?
- Why does he want to be known by this name?
God is with you. One principle presented in Exodus 3 is this: Be with God, as he is with you.
- What do you think this meant for Moses?
- What does it mean for you?
- What keeps you from ‘being’ with God?
Jesus declares himself to be God. Throughout the gospel of John, he made these declarations using “I AM” as a subtle reference to the divine name “YHWH"
I AM…the bread of life
I AM…the light of the world
I AM…the door
I AM…the good shepherd
I AM…the resurrection & the life
I AM…the way, truth & the life
I AM…the true vine
Then, in John 8:58, we see him lay out this claim more definitively: “Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM.’”
God is with you & God is for you
The divine name that takes upon himself shows that he echoes Yahweh’s declaration which says to all who will listen, “I am everything that is good, and every good thing that I am, I will be to you.” Think through many of the good qualities that God is…
I am love
I am patience
I am faithfulness
I am joy
I am kindness
I am gentleness
I am peace
I am goodness
I am self-control
I am power
I am justice
I am beauty
I am compassion
I am creativity
- Which of those do you most need now? Envision him saying these truths to you.
Wrapping Up
From this discussion, identify one aspect of God’s nature that you believe you most need to experience from him today. Take a minute in silence to reflect on where you or your loved ones have experienced that type of goodness in the past. Then, thank him for where He has already given you that good gift, and ask him for more of it! You may even want to ask him to help you see where he is already bringing that goodness into your life that you may have missed. Pray the Holy Spirit will guide your prayers to trust Jesus, and to experience his presence, more everyday.