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: Review
To keep the context fresh in our minds, we’re going to review some learnings from last week before we continue reading in Exodus 1. Context is an important part of any passage of scripture, and especially helpful when studying the stories of the Old Testament.
Read aloud Exodus 2:1-10
- Notice the last verse (v.10) What do we learn about the name that was given to Moses? How might his name be related to his calling to rescue the oppressed nation of Israel?
EXPLORING SCRIPTURE: The Failure of Moses
Read aloud Exodus 2:11-14
- Moses is going to be called by God to help rescue the nation of Israel out of slavery to Egypt. Yet, in his first attempt, led by his own wisdom and power, Moses fails terribly. What is wrong with this approach to setting the people free?
- What does Moses lack? What does he need from God?
Read aloud Exodus 2:15
- What are the consequences of Moses' failings? What did he lose when he left Egypt? How do you think he felt?
- Why do you think it mentions that he is sitting by a well?
Read aloud Exodus 2:16-17
- How does Moses respond to the bullies in this scene?
- What does this tell us about his heart toward oppressed people? What clues does this give us about his future calling?
Read aloud Exodus 2:18-20
- This is kind of a funny scene. What opportunity did Reuel see that his daughter’s didn’t?
Read aloud Exodus 2:21-22
- Reuel means “friend of God”. How does he live up to his name in this passage?
Read aloud Exodus 2:22-23
- How does this passage speak to the storyline of Exodus?
- What does this tell us about God’s heart for those who are oppressed?
REFLECTION: Learning from Failure
Moses failed miserably and ended up in the desert. But, God hasn’t given up on Moses, even if he’s given up on himself. The Lord is teaching Moses that he is perfectly formed for an imperfect life of epic rescue.
The disciples of Jesus failed miserably. He said to these unrefined fishermen, “Come, follow me,and I will send you out to fish for people.’ At once they left their nets and followed him.” (Mark 1:17-18) Yet, they failed the Lord many times, including the desertion of him as he was imprisoned and beaten. Still, Jesus is teaching them that they are perfectly formed for an imperfect life of vital rescue.
- How have you experienced this in your own life? When have you tried to do the right thing, yet failed in your calling to be part of God’s rescue in the lives of others?
- How have those failures helped you grow more effective in bringing God’s rescue into the lives of others?
Failing Forward
Moses had to continue in a life of failing forward. God didn’t need him to be perfect, he simply called him to keep moving forward in faith and obedience as best he could. And he wanted Moses to rely on his word and his Spirit to empower his leadership.
- How good are you at failing forward?
- What makes you want to quit in your efforts to bring God's rescue into the lives of others?
- What keeps you going in your God-given calling to help others grow in the Lord?
Bring Your Gift
Every person is made in the image of God, and as we rely on Christ we can bring his love into the world uniquely through our own personality, skills, giftings, circumstances and passions.
- What gifts has God given you? How does he want to work through those to bring his life into the lives of others?
- Where do you need to make a commitment to serving in order to see those gifts bring the rescue of Jesus into the lives of others?
Wrapping Up
From this discussion, identify one practice you need to increase to bring the light and life of Jesus to those around you. Also, identify one thing you need for God to do this more effectively. Pray the Holy Spirit will guide your prayers to trust Jesus, and to experience his presence, more everyday.