CHRONOLOGICAL. Volume 2. Ed Stetzer GENERAL EDITOR Trevin Wax MANAGING EDITOR. WINTER : Leader Guide ESV A.D. B.C.

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1 CHRONOLOGICAL A.D. B.C. Volume 2 WINTER : Leader Guide ESV Ed Stetzer GENERAL EDITOR Trevin Wax MANAGING EDITOR

2 God s Word to You A Summary of the Bible In the beginning, the all-powerful, personal God created the universe. This God created human beings in His image to live joyfully in His presence, in humble submission to His gracious authority. But all of us have rebelled against God and, in consequence, must suffer the punishment of our rebellion: physical death and the wrath of God. Thankfully, God initiated a rescue plan, which began with His choosing the nation of Israel to display His glory in a fallen world. The Bible describes how God acted mightily on Israel s behalf, rescuing His people from slavery and then giving them His holy law. But God s people like all of us failed to rightly reflect the glory of God. Then, in the fullness of time, in the Person of Jesus Christ, God Himself came to renew the world and restore His people. Jesus perfectly obeyed the law given to Israel. Though innocent, He suffered the consequences of human rebellion by His death on a cross. But three days later, God raised Him from the dead. Now the church of Jesus Christ has been commissioned by God to take the news of Christ s work to the world. Empowered by God s Spirit, the church calls all people everywhere to repent of sin and to trust in Christ alone for our forgiveness. Repentance and faith restores our relationship with God and results in a life of ongoing transformation. The Bible promises that Jesus Christ will return to this earth as the conquering King. Only those who live in repentant faith in Christ will escape God s judgment and live joyfully in God s presence for all eternity. God s message is the same to all of us: repent and believe, before it is too late. Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe with your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved.

3 A Word from the Editors Ed Stetzer General Editor The Gospel Project EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, LIFEWAY RESEARCH Who is Yahweh? Perhaps you think this a strange question, especially in this context, but for every person who has a knowledge of God through faith in Jesus Christ, there are countless more who echo Pharaoh s words: Who is the LORD that I should obey his voice? I do not know the LORD (Ex. 5:2). And God is not content with this situation; nor should we be. In Genesis, God revealed Himself as the Creator and a Covenant-Maker. In Exodus through Deuteronomy, God reveals Himself to Pharaoh, the Egyptians, and the Israelites to be a Redeemer and a Lawgiver. Whether through displays of His power or communication of His law, God s concern was that the whole world would know I am the LORD. There is no other God! Nor is there another Savior than the One sent to redeem those who believe. You see, as grand as the story of the exodus is and it is a great and awesome historical account of God fulfilling His covenant and bringing His people out of slavery in Egypt as great as it is, it is still but a picture foreshadowing the even greater reality that One would come to free people from their slavery to sin and death! So, experience the ground-shaking account of Yahweh redeeming His people, but recognize the earth-shaking redemption from sin that comes through faith in Jesus Christ and proclaim His freedom to the captives. Trevin Wax Managing Editor The Gospel Project AUTHOR OF MULTIPLE BOOKS, INCLUDING Gospel-Centered Teaching, Counterfeit Gospels, AND Clear Winter Nights: A Young Man s Journey into Truth, Doubt, and What Comes After When I was a kid, I wanted to memorize more than just Bible verses. I wanted to memorize whole books of the Bible. I remember, around the age of 8, deciding I would memorize the Book of Exodus. Epic fail. I only got a few verses in before giving up. But looking back, it s not surprising that I would choose Exodus. Here was the story of Moses and his own deliverance and transformation into a deliverer to lead his people out of slavery. The story fascinated me as a kid, and it captures me still today. Exodus (and the rest of the books of law) shines a spotlight on God as the Redeemer. Anytime in the New Testament we come across the words redeem or redemption, we ought to think back to God s redemptive work in Exodus. This is the pivotal moment in Israel s history that anchors the rest of the biblical storyline and provides the framework for our understanding of God s ultimate work of redemption in Jesus Christ. As you and your group work through these fundamental plot points of the Old Testament (the exodus, the Red Sea, the golden calf, the giving of the law, the tabernacle), I hope you ll not only be swept up in the drama of each story but that you ll also grow in gratitude for what they teach us about God, His salvation, and His mission to save His people to be a light to the world. EDITORS

4 About the Writers The Gospel Project Adult Leader Guide ESV Volume 4, Number 2 Winter Eric Geiger Vice President, LifeWay Resources Ed Stetzer General Editor Trevin Wax Managing Editor Daniel Davis Content Editor Josh Hayes Content and Production Editor Ken Braddy Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies Michael Kelley Director, Groups Ministry Send questions/comments to: Managing Editor, The Gospel Project: Adult Leader Guide, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN ; or make comments on the Web at Printed in the United States of America The Gospel Project : Adult Leader Guide ESV (ISSN ; Item ) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President LifeWay Christian Resources. For ordering or inquiries, visit or write LifeWay Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN For subscriptions or subscription address changes, subscribe@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, orderentry@lifeway.com, fax (615) , or write to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay s doctrinal guideline, please visit Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the English Standard Version (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All Scripture quotations marked (HCSB) are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. All Scripture quotations marked (GNT) are from the Good News Translation in Today s English Version Second Edition Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission. Unit 1: Tony Merida is the founding pastor of Imago Dei Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He also serves as associate professor of preaching at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. His books include Ordinary and the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary on the Book of Exodus, among others. He is happily married to Kimberly, and they have five adopted children. Unit 2: Rick Morton (sessions 7-8) is Vice President of Engagement for Lifeline Children s Services in Birmingham, Alabama, where he leads the ministry s partnership efforts to manifest the gospel to vulnerable children around the world. He is married to Denise, and they have two middle school sons and a daughter in college. Kendell Easley (sessions 9-12) is a professor of biblical studies at Union University and is the director of the Master of Christian Studies and Doctor of Ministry programs for Union in the Memphis area. He also serves as pastor of McLean Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee. Kendell is married to Nancy, and they have one married young adult son. Unit 3: D. A. Horton is currently serving in the Church Planting Residency at Summit Church in Durham, North Carolina. He and his wife, Elicia, and their three children are preparing to plant a church in Los Angles, California. He is working on his PhD in Applied Theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. WRITERS

5 Table of Contents Suggested for the week of Unit 1: God the Redeemer December 6 7 Session 1 The Redeemer Responds December Session 2 The Redeemer Reveals His Glory December Session 3 The Redeemer Judges and Saves January 3 43 Session 4 Worthy of Praise January Session 5 The Wilderness Test January Session 6 Rebellion Against the Redeemer Unit 2: God the Lawgiver January Session 7 The Loving Lawgiver January Session 8 God of Our Relationships February Session 9 The Lawgiver s Tabernacle February Session 10 Atonement Sacrifices (Part 1) February Session 11 Atonement Sacrifices (Part 2) February Session 12 The Law s Blessing and Curse Unit 3: Christmas December Special Session The Glory of Christmas Editor s Note: In order to preserve the narrative flow of our study through Scripture (and since some users of The Gospel Project are on a different schedule), we have placed the Special Session for Christmas at the end of both the Leader Guide and Personal Study Guide. The week prior to your intended use of this session, remind your group members to study the Christmas session at the end of the book.

6 How to Use The Gospel Project Tips from Trevin on how best to use this Leader Guide Welcome to The Gospel Project! Think of yourself as a guide leading your group on a tour of God s Word, journeying through the Bible s grand story and encountering the riches of Christ s redemption. We hope The Gospel Project will provide you with the tools and resources you need as you prayerfully seek to apply the truth of the gospel to the people God has placed in your group. Here are some things to remember as you use this Leader Guide: Pray. Pray for your group. Don t lead in your own strength. Adapt. You know the style of your group. If more discussion-oriented, then encourage group members to read the session ahead of time. Use the Further Discussion questions in the Session Plan to facilitate discussion that stays grounded in the session. If you take a more master-teacher approach, then spend time familiarizing yourself with the Expanded Session Content. Select questions that make the most strategic sense for moving the session along. Cut. If it seems to you that The Gospel Project provides too much material for one session, you re right. We chose to deliver more than you need and to include the bulk of the content in the Personal Study Guide (PSG) so you don t feel pressed to get all the content delivered in the session time itself. Refer your group members to the PSG. Add. The PSG has the bulk of the content from the Leader Guide, but not all of it. Throughout the Expanded Session Content, you will see portions of leader-only content marked off in the margin, as this portion is. These sections might be transitions between points, illustrations, answers to questions, content for interactive portions in the PSG, and even theological connections. The Session Plan will reference the more vital sections, but as you shape each session, consider how these leader-only sections can benefit your group. Personalize. Take the truths in The Gospel Project and enhance them. Add personal stories. Ask penetrating questions that go to the heart of the people you know and love. Resource yourself. (Encourage your group to take advantage of these resources too.) Make use of the additional resources suggested at the end of each session. Read a suggested chapter or section in a book. Learn from the Tip of the Week to grow as a teacher and a group in spiritual maturity. Visit GospelProject.com/Blog for the following: Read blog posts related to the overall study theme and specific sessions. Listen to a brief video as I point out the highlights to focus on for the upcoming session. Visit GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources to access these resources: Read online articles and blog posts related to the session content. Listen to helpful podcasts from pastors and church leaders. Download suggestions for interactive options to help address a variety of learning styles. Overflow. Remember The Gospel Project is not just a curriculum. We are the project. As we immerse ourselves in the great story of redemption, God s Spirit uses the gospel to change us. Don t prepare simply for the content you re going to deliver. Let the truths of God s Word soak in as you study. A great leader is not a dispenser of information but an overflowing river of gospel passion. Let God work on your heart first, and then pray that He will change the hearts of the people He has entrusted to your care. 6 Leader Guide Winter

7 SESSION 1 The Redeemer Responds Summary and Goal God responded to Israel s terrible plight by listening to the prayers of His oppressed people, revealing His character to Moses, and promising to deliver and redeem them. Watching God reveal Himself and His justice should inspire us to worship our Redeemer and pursue His mission in the world. Main Passage Exodus 2:23 3:22 Session Outline 1. God responds by listening to the prayers of the oppressed (Ex. 2:23 3:10). 2. God responds by revealing His character (Ex. 3:11-15). 3. God responds by promising redemption (Ex. 3:16-22). Theological Theme God is good and just. He sees the suffering of the oppressed and promises redemption. Christ Connection God told Moses His name I AM as a revelation of His good and righteous character. Jesus is the great I AM who gave us an even greater revelation of God s goodness and righteousness. Missional Application God calls us to be conscious of the plight of the oppressed and, in response, to show and share the love of God. Date of My Bible Study: LifeWay Christian Resources. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser.

8 Session Plan The Redeemer Responds Session 1 Pack Item 1: God Delivers Display this poster in a place that will help group members follow the storyline of Scripture, to remember where we ve been and where we are going. Introduction Option If you still have The Promise of Genesis on display, refer to it to help recount the storyline of Genesis and how the Israelites ended up in Egypt. ( The Promise of Genesis was Pack Item 10 from The Story Begins Leader Pack.) Pack Item 2: The Exodus Map Display this map before the group meeting. Reference it as needed throughout Units 1 and 2 to help group members orient themselves to the people, places, and events written about in the Book of Exodus and the rest of the Pentateuch. For this session, call attention to a possible location for Horeb (also Mount Sinai), the site of burning bush and later the giving of the law. Introduction Begin by calling to mind our lighthearted view of Egypt, and then contrast that with the serious circumstance in which the Israelites found themselves under Egyptian slavery (leader p. 10; personal study guide [PSG] p. 10). Why were the Israelites in Egypt? How would their slavery have affected their view of God s covenant promise? If helpful, recount the storyline of Genesis that led the Israelites to Egypt and into slavery (leader p. 10). Then summarize the session (leader pp ; PSG pp ). 1. God responds by listening to the prayers of the oppressed (Ex. 2:23 3:10). Introduce and read Exodus 2:23-25 (leader p. 11). Note God s attentive nature in this passage and explain His concern as a continuation of His covenant with Abraham in Genesis (leader p. 11; PSG p. 11). Sinful, evil deeds often remain hidden in the world and in our lives. How does it comfort you to know God sees every sinful deed done against you? How does it challenge you to know that God sees every sinful deed you have done against Him and others? Continue the reading of Exodus 3:1-6. Highlight God s holiness on display through fire and Moses response of fear. Those who are in Christ, however, need not be afraid to approach our Father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (leader pp ; PSG p. 12). What is the difference between being terrified by God and being awed by God? 8 Leader Guide Winter

9 Read Exodus 3:7-10. Explain God s motive and purpose in His planned response to the cry of His oppressed people (leader p. 13; PSG p. 13). How does it encourage you to know that God hears the cries of the oppressed? 2. God responds by revealing His character (Ex. 3:11-15). Ask a volunteer to read Exodus 3: Show the weakness of Moses excuse(s) in the light of God s promised presence (leader pp ; PSG p. 14). What are some areas in which you feel unqualified or unable to do what God has called you to do? How does God s presence and His promise enable you to go on? Explain the significance of God s name as near as we can tell as a revelation of His character (leader p. 15; PSG p. 15). When we feel inadequate to obey God s call, what are some ways we can move our eyes from the magnitude of the task to the majesty of God Himself? 3. God responds by promising redemption (Ex. 3:16-22). Read Exodus 3: Point out God s sovereign prediction about what was going to happen: the elders would listen; Pharaoh would not. God promised to perform wonders that would force Pharaoh to let the people go. Though Moses continued making excuses, God would use him to report His words of redemption (leader pp ; PSG p. 16). What are the fears that most hinder you from speaking on God s behalf? How can we overcome these excuses with faith in God s promised redemption? Conclusion Recap the session and show how these events point forward to the redemption from sin that comes through Jesus, the great I AM. Emphasize the Christ Connection for this session and draw attention to Pack Item 3: Seeing Jesus in the Exodus to help group members begin looking for ways God is already pointing forward to the coming of Jesus. Also show how our deliverance should shape the way we show and share the love of God (leader p. 17; PSG p. 17). Apply the truths of this session with His Mission, Your Mission (PSG p. 18). Point 1 Option Have group members read the Essential Christian Doctrine Enslaved to Sin (leader p. 13; PSG p. 13) and reflect on how slavery to sin compares to the Israelites slavery in Egypt. After a moment, encourage them to pair up with someone and share their thoughts, and then have the pairs share one conclusion with the group. Ask the following question: How should the cry of those enslaved to sin differ from the cry of those who have been liberated in Christ? For Further Discussion How would you describe the sign God gave to Moses in Exodus 3:12? Would you find comfort in such a sign, that confirmation would come as the result of obedience rather than at the beginning of obedience? Why or why not? Christ Connection: God told Moses His name I AM as a revelation of His good and righteous character. Jesus is the great I AM who gave us an even greater revelation of God s goodness and righteousness.... Missional Application: God calls us to be conscious of the plight of the oppressed and, in response, to show and share the love of God. Session 1 9

10 Expanded Session Content The Redeemer Responds Session 1 Voices from the Church God is grieved by the sin, death, and power of hell that afflicts His world, and is sacrificially involved in the removal of all that destroys and alienates His world from Himself. 1 Joshua Ryan Butler Introduction In the 1980s, a song titled Walk Like an Egyptian by the Bangles shot up the charts and led to people of all ages doing the lighthearted sand dance. (The move was supposed to reflect ancient Egyptian art.) Even today, people unfamiliar with the song know the dance. However, Walk Like an Egyptian doesn t lead you to take Egypt very seriously. For many in the West, Egypt is known primarily for ancient pyramids or King Tut s tomb. In the period of the exodus, however, people feared Egypt. Egypt had mighty Pharaohs, great building projects, and they were in touch with dark power. Everyone took Egypt seriously. Israel certainly wasn t doing the Egyptian sand dance. They were enslaved to the Egyptians, and it s the awfulness of their slavery that sets the dark backdrop for God s glorious deliverance that takes place. Why were the Israelites in Egypt? How would their slavery have affected their view of God s covenant promise? In Genesis, we saw how Joseph, Jacob s beloved son, was taken to Egypt because his jealous brothers sold him into slavery. After interpreting dreams, Joseph gained favor in the eyes of Pharaoh. Joseph ended up helping save lives by storing up food during the seven good years in preparation for a seven-year famine. So all the earth came to Egypt to buy grain (Gen. 41:57). During this time, Joseph s family went to Egypt and Joseph provided food for them (Gen. 42). His family resettled in the Nile Delta. This family of 70 people entered Egypt (see Gen. 46), and from there, they multiplied greatly (Ex. 1:1-7). In Exodus 1:8, we read that a new king over Egypt dealt harshly with the Israelites. As a result, Joseph s family was brought under political slavery (1:8-10), economic slavery (1:11-14), social slavery (1:15-22), and spiritual slavery (3:18; 4:22-23; 5:8). They desperately needed to get out of Egypt. 10 Leader Guide Winter

11 Session Summary Exodus means a going out or departure. This book of the Bible provides the historical account of God s deliverance of His people from Egypt s cruel slavery. In this session, we see how God responds to Israel s terrible plight by listening to the prayers of His oppressed people, revealing His character to Moses, and promising to deliver and redeem them. Watching God reveal Himself and His justice should inspire us to worship our Redeemer and pursue His mission in the world. 1. God responds by listening to the prayers of the oppressed (Ex. 2:23 3:10). In chapter 2 of the Book of Exodus, we read about Moses birth (2:1-10), his growth (2:11-15), and his flight from Egypt (2:15-22). The story continues in verse 23 with a new king ruling Egypt. Despite this change in government, slavery remains intense. As a result, Israel groans and cries out for help. 23 During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. 24 And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. 25 God saw the people of Israel and God knew. When the people cried out, God heard them. God also saw their oppression, and the writer said that God took notice of the situation (2:24-25). God heard. God saw. God knew. God s attentive nature is revealed throughout the Scriptures. The psalmist said, The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry (Ps. 34:15). God s people can cry out to their God and trust that He hears them and cares about their situation. These cries were of particular interest to God because of His covenant with Abraham (2:24). The term covenant appears here for the first time in Exodus. It appears 27 times in Genesis. It may be best defined in The Jesus Storybook Bible as a Never Stopping, Never Giving Up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love. 2 God s purpose of redemption and mission given to Abraham in the Book of Genesis continues in the exodus story. God cares about His people. Further Commentary Chapter 3 begins by setting the scene of what is about to occur. Moses was leading the flock belonging to Jethro It is important to note that Egyptians didn t think highly at all of shepherds (see Gen. 46:34). It is also important to recognize the shepherding pattern being set here. Moses spent 40 years as a shepherd in Midian. David was also a shepherd who was taken from the sheepfolds to become king. God loves to use shepherds! He even refers to Himself as a shepherd (Ps. 23:1; Ezek. 34:13). Ultimately, salvation would come through Jesus, the good shepherd, who laid down His life for His sheep (John 10:11). 3 Tony Merida Sinful, evil deeds often remain hidden in the world and in our lives. How does it comfort you to know God sees every sinful deed done against you? How does it challenge you to know that God sees every sinful deed you have done against Him and others? Session 1 11

12 Further Commentary The possibility of danger implicit in human contact with God is reflected throughout Scripture (19:21-24; 24:11; 33:20-23; Gen. 32:30; Judg. 13:20-23; Isa. 6:5; Acts 9:3-9; 1 Tim. 6:15-16; Rev. 19:11-21). This place was holy, not because of any quality intrinsic to it, but because of God s presence and activity. The tabernacle would be a place set apart by the Lord s presence (Ex. 29:43-44). To stay at a distance and remove footwear was then and is now in many cultures a sign of respect and humility. The Lord s self-identification, which began, I am the God of your father, connected this event with the past both by naming the patriarchs and by the wording of the statement (Gen. 15:7; 17:1; 26:24; 28:13; 31:13; 35:11; 46:3). It also had the ring of a formal pronouncement by a king (Gen. 41:44). 4 Dorian G. Coover-Cox, HCSB Study Bible In chapter 3 we hear some of the same language, and we see the holy God to whom we pray. This time God told Moses that He had heard the groans of His people. God called Moses to serve as His agent of redemption and, in so doing, reminded Moses that He had heard Israel s prayers. As a result of this, God told Moses of His plan to free them. The writer gave the description of Moses call this way: 1 Now Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, and he led his flock to the west side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 2 And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. 3 And Moses said, I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned. 4 When the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, Moses, Moses! And he said, Here I am. 5 Then he said, Do not come near; take your sandals off your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground. 6 And he said, I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. In this passage, we read of the burning bush and the angel of the LORD who appeared to Moses. The fire represents God s holy presence. Fire is appropriate because we know that we are drawn to fire, amazed by fire, but we also have to tell children, Don t play with fire. Fire must be taken seriously. And so is God. He is holy. God spoke to Moses and called him to take his sandals off as an act of reverence (3:5; see Josh. 5:13-15). God then identified Himself with the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (3:6). Before God entered into a relationship with Moses, He had entered into a relationship with Moses fathers (see 2:24). God was also giving Moses a bit of personal history of Himself. The God of the burning bush wasn t an unknown God; He was the God who acted on behalf of these men earlier in history. Notice that God did not say, I was the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but rather, I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This indicates that God s people never really die; they re part of an eternal relationship with God. 12 Leader Guide Winter

13 When Moses encountered God, the Scripture says Moses hid his face (3:6). Why? Because Moses was in the presence of the Holy One. We should understand Moses fear. We should also maintain a sense of reverence before God. However, as believers, we don t have to hide from God in terror because of the work of Christ. We are hidden in Him (Col. 3:3)! Therefore, we can seek God with confidence because of the work of Christ. What is the difference between being terrified by God and being awed by God? 7 Then the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of my people who are in Egypt and have heard their cry because of their taskmasters. I know their sufferings, 8 and I have come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the place of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. 9 And now, behold, the cry of the people of Israel has come to me, and I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. 10 Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt. In verses 7-10, this holy God responds to the cries of the oppressed by revealing His plan to Moses. God s motive appears in verses 7 and 9. God told Moses that He was aware of the people s desperate situation. He said, I have surely seen have heard I know their sufferings [their] cry has come to me I have also seen the oppression with which the Egyptians oppress them. These phrases echo the words of 2:23-25 and show us that God does indeed hear our cries. Are you crying out to God personally? We should be encouraged by the fact that God hears those who humbly cry out to Him (see Luke 18:13-14). God is high and holy, yet He hears the prayers of the meek and lowly (see Isa. 57:15). Next, God responded by explaining His purpose to Moses. His purpose was to relocate His people. He would take them out of Egypt and put them in a place with milk and honey (3:8-9). God was going to save them from something (slavery) for something (worship and witness). That s exactly what has happened to us through Christ s work on our behalf. In Ephesians 2:1-10, Paul told the Ephesians that they had been saved (by grace through faith) from wrath and for good works. Paul also described this glorious transfer to the Colossians, saying: He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:13-14). Voices from Church History When the Holy One called Moses from the bush he said thus to him, I am the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. When Death heard this utterance, he trembled and feared and was terrified and perturbed and knew that he had not become king forever over the children of Adam. 5 Aphrahat (circa ) 99 Essential Christian Doctrines 43. Enslaved to Sin Because of the fall of Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, all of humanity has inherited a sin nature that inclines them toward sin and rebellion. Human beings are enslaved to sin (Rom. 6:17), continually living with the propensity to transgress God s commandments whenever possible. It isn t until one experiences salvation through the work of Christ that he or she is able to overcome sin s enslavement through the power of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 8:2). Session 1 13

14 How does it encourage you to know that God hears the cries of the oppressed? Further Commentary I am who I am (Heb. ehyeh a šer ehyeh): possibly I will be what I will be. This pithy clause is clearly a reference to the name YHWH Since this is the only place in the Old Testament where there is any explanation of the meaning of the name YHWH, we ought therefore to take very seriously the association with being which is clearly stated here Granted, however, the general connection with being, what is the exact meaning? Simplest of all, does it mean that God exists, as opposed to idols without being? Along these lines, Hyatt sees I am He who is as a possible translation: he also sees Hosea 1:9 as a possible reference to this meaning (in a negative sense). Does it mean I am incomparable, inscrutable to human eyes (Ex. 33:19)? This, though true, would hardly be a further revelation. Or does it mean I will only be understood by my own subsequent acts and words of revelation? This would seem to fit the biblical pattern, for in all subsequent Israelite history God would be known as the One who brought Israel from Egypt (Ex. 20:2). The revelation of the name therefore is not merely a deep theological truth; it is a call to the response of faith by Moses and by Israel. 6 R. Alan Cole 2. God responds by revealing His character (Ex. 3:11-15). We ve seen how God responds to injustice by hearing the prayers of the oppressed. He hears, He sees, and He acts. But part of His action is to reveal His character. Take a look at how God reveals His character: 11 But Moses said to God, Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt? 12 He said, But I will be with you, and this shall be the sign for you, that I have sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve God on this mountain. 13 Then Moses said to God, If I come to the people of Israel and say to them, The God of your fathers has sent me to you, and they ask me, What is his name? what shall I say to them? 14 God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. And he said, Say this to the people of Israel, I AM has sent me to you. 15 God also said to Moses, Say this to the people of Israel, The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you. This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations. Moses wasn t eager to go on mission. In the following dialogue, Moses made several excuses for not obeying God s call. God responded to each of Moses excuses and questions with statements about His own sovereignty and power. This section is deeply encouraging. If you feel as though God is sending you to do something beyond yourself, the key is to take your eyes off of your failures and weaknesses. Get a vision of God. Moses too had to recognize that God is enough. Moses first argument was about himself. Who am I? he asked (3:11). He felt insufficient. He essentially asked, Have you considered my resume? The last 40 years, I ve been in a wilderness. Stop and think about it. Moses was a shepherd. While he used to be a prince, he was now a humble shepherd. God asked this shepherd to confront the most powerful person in the world and tell him to let his slaves go free. This would be sort of like an average blue-collar worker declaring war on a president of a major country. Can you imagine your plumber declaring war on Russia? 14 Leader Guide Winter

15 Moses was an average guy, and he didn t have great influence. Yet God responded to Moses by revealing what s most important Himself. God said, I will be with you (3:12). Throughout the Bible, this is what God s leaders need to lead God s presence. It s the nonnegotiable for serving God. Think about Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Jehoshaphat, and the disciples. God was with them all. In addition to God s presence, God also promised a sign. He said, You shall serve God on this mountain (3:12). God intended to bring His people back to this mountain to sing His praises. What are some areas in which you feel unqualified or unable to do what God has called you to do? How does God s presence and His promise enable you to go on? Moses next big question was What is Your name? (3:13). It was obviously important to know who God is, especially if you are going to tell a group of people that God sent you! Merely saying, I heard a voice in a bush, wouldn t be very persuasive. So God told Moses His name (3:14-15). God revealed His name as Yahweh (commonly rendered as LORD in English) in verse 15. Great mystery exists here. No one really knows how to pronounce God s name, and the meaning is mysterious also, but the meaning seems to be related to the idea of this verb to be. In other words, God is. He is central. He has no beginning. He causes everything to be. He alone is God. Does it move you when you hear, Tell them I AM sent you? God was saying that He is absolutely central. Paul later said, For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen (Rom. 11:36). Is God central in your life? Is He central in your marriage? Is He central in your ministry? God told Moses that the most important thing about his mission was God Himself! Behold, the greatness of your God. God is self-existent and selfsufficient. God needs no air, no sleep, and no food. He doesn t need us, but we need Him! God wasn t like the Egyptian false gods. He was and is the one true God on whom all things depend. God is also majestic in His mysteriousness. We will never have God totally figured out. He doesn t involve us in His work because He needs us; He includes us because He loves us. Voices from Church History [God] needs no one, but when faith is present He works through anyone. 7 -A. W. Tozer ( ) Further Commentary Tradition maintains that at the time of the Exodus Moses introduced his people to a new covenant name for God Yahweh (pronounced Yah-way). When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush, Moses asked Him for His name. God responded by giving him the name Yahweh This word appears about 6,800 times in the Old Testament Exodus 3:14 is the only real attempt made in the Old Testament to explain the meaning of the name Yahweh. In this verse, YHWH is translated as the great I AM. 8 Hershel H. Hobbs, Biblical Illustrator When we feel inadequate to obey God s call, what are some ways we can move our eyes from the magnitude of the task to the majesty of God Himself? Session 1 15

16 Further Commentary After God performed these wonders, the Egyptians would allow the Israelites to plunder them (Ex. 3:21-22) God was setting another pattern: the idea of conquering and taking the spoils. Paul later said that after Jesus Christ conquered our greatest enemies of sin and death, He took prisoners into captivity; He gave gifts to people (Eph. 4:8). What is amazing is that the Israelites are simply told to ask for it. God is fighting the battle for them, which is another pattern. Also noteworthy is that these precious metals will be used to construct the tabernacle (Ex. 35:4-9,20-29). 9 Tony Merida 3. God responds by promising redemption (Ex. 3:16-22). God responds to the cries of His people by hearing their prayers, by revealing His character, and finally by promising redemption. God gave Moses a message to give to the elders of Israel. Notice God s sovereign prediction about what was going to happen: 16 Go and gather the elders of Israel together and say to them, The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, has appeared to me, saying, I have observed you and what has been done to you in Egypt, 17 and I promise that I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, a land flowing with milk and honey. 18 And they will listen to your voice, and you and the elders of Israel shall go to the king of Egypt and say to him, The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us; and now, please let us go a three days journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God. 19 But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless compelled by a mighty hand. 20 So I will stretch out my hand and strike Egypt with all the wonders that I will do in it; after that he will let you go. 21 And I will give this people favor in the sight of the Egyptians; and when you go, you shall not go empty, 22 but each woman shall ask of her neighbor, and any woman who lives in her house, for silver and gold jewelry, and for clothing. You shall put them on your sons and on your daughters. So you shall plunder the Egyptians. In this striking promise, Moses was learning what it means to be a prophet: to declare God s message and to trust in God to work in people s hearts. Consider how God told Moses that the elders will listen to your voice (3:18). This wasn t the last time God would promise Moses that people would respond to His message. Notice also that Moses and the elders were going to say to Pharaoh: Please let us go a three days journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to the LORD our God (3:18). We see here that Israel wasn t just enslaved physically, but they were enslaved spiritually too. They needed to be freed in order to worship (see 7:16; 8:1,20; 9:1,13; 10:3). It s unclear why they only asked for a three-day trip. It may have been an ancient Near Eastern expression to mean a long journey of an indefinite period of time. What was important about the trip, however, was the purpose worship. Even though the elders would listen to Moses message, God reminded Moses that Pharaoh would not listen, at least not initially. God told Moses that in response to Pharaoh s refusal, He would intervene with His mighty hand performing wonders (3:19-20). 16 Leader Guide Winter

17 Moses still wasn t convinced. In chapter 4, he argued with God. Moses complained that no one would believe his message (4:1-9). But God assured him that they would. Then Moses used his speech problem as perhaps his most widely known excuse for not obeying God s plan (4:10-12). God told Moses that this excuse was irrelevant and irreverent. Concerning the latter, God said, Who has made man s mouth? (4:11). God told Moses that He formed him for a purpose. God knew about Moses weakness. And it was precisely because of this weakness that God would gain much glory. God told Moses that his excuse was irrelevant: I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak (4:12; cf. Jer. 1:4-10). When Moses again expressed reluctance, God responded to him with anger (4:14), but He was gracious here as well. He gave Moses some help by sending Aaron with him (4:14-16). God is looking for reporters, not orators. We do not have to make fine speeches; we just give the news. Moses had to learn, like us, that it s not about you! It s about the I AM. Voices from the Church Exodus-shaped redemption demands exodus-shaped mission. And that means that our commitment to mission must demonstrate the same broad totality of concern for human need that God demonstrated in what he did for Israel Our mission must be derived from God s mission. 10 Christopher Wright What are the fears that most hinder you from speaking on God s behalf? How can we overcome these excuses with faith in God s promised redemption? Conclusion The plan was in place! God responded by revealing His promise of redemption to the reluctant shepherd-mediator, Moses. And here we look forward through the Scriptures to Jesus, the great I AM who gave us an even greater revelation of God s goodness and righteousness. He is the Good Shepherd who would lay down His life for His sheep in order to lead us out of a greater slavery into a greater freedom from the kingdom of darkness into His kingdom of light. As the people of God s kingdom, we are formed by God s deliverance. In this story, we see how God promised deliverance from (1) sociopolitical-physical-economic slavery and (2) from spiritual slavery. Christians should care about alleviating both types of human suffering: temporal suffering and especially eternal suffering. Let s do both in the power of our self-sufficient, prayer-hearing God. CHRIST CONNECTION: God told Moses His name I AM as a revelation of His good and righteous character. Jesus is the great I AM who gave us an even greater revelation of God s goodness and righteousness. Session 1 17

18 Additional Resources The Redeemer Responds References 1. Joshua Ryan Butler, The Skeletons in God s Closet (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2014), Sally Lloyd-Jones, The Jesus Storybook Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007), Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Exodus (Nashville: B&H, 2014), Dorian G. Coover-Cox, in HCSB Study Bible (Nashville: B&H, 2010), 102, n. 3:6. 5. Aphrahat, Demonstrations 22.2, quoted in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, ed. Joseph T. Lienhard, vol. III in Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture: Old Testament (Downers Grove: IVP, 2001), R. Alan Cole, Exodus, in Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries (Downers Grove: IVP, 1973), A. W. Tozer, quoted in 1001 Quotations That Connect, eds. Craig Brian Larson and Brian Lowery (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2009), Quotation Hershel H. Hobbs, Yahweh, Biblical Illustrator (Fall 1974): Tony Merida, Christ-Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Exodus, Christopher J. H. Wright, The Mission of God (Downers Grove: IVP, 2006), Get expert insights on weekly studies through Ministry Grid at MinistryGrid.com/web/TheGospelProject. Grow with other group leaders at the Group Ministry blog at LifeWay.com/GroupMinistry. Study Material - Moses and the Deliverance Pages from Telling God s Story by Preben Vang and Terry G. Carter - In the World: How Excellent Are Thy Names Article by Ken Hemphill; find a link to this article at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources - Previous Biblical Illustrator articles, including When God Speaks, can be purchased, along with other articles for this quarter, at LifeWay.com/BiblicalIllustrator. Look for Bundles: The Gospel Project. Sermon Podcast Dhati Lewis: Saved From, Saved For Find a link to this at GospelProject.com/AdditionalResources Tip of the Week The Gospel Project Leader Pack Throughout the session plans in this Leader Guide, you will see references to pack items that will enhance your group meeting and help group members gain more from this study of God s Word. These items are available in The Gospel Project for Adults: Leader Pack. The posters and charts in the Leader Pack will help foster discussion within your group and make clear the connections throughout the Scriptures. The map will help put the stories of Scripture in geographical context. The pack also includes some take-away items so group members can recall what they learned in the session and be reminded to apply what they learned as they go about their mission of making Jesus known in the world. The DVD in the pack contains customizable files of the Leader session plans and commentary, as well as videos from our managing editor that will help leaders make the most efficient use of their group time. The Gospel Project for Adults: Leader Pack is available in print and digital formats. Order today at GospelProject.com or by calling Leader Guide Winter

19 Scope and Sequence GOAL Over the course of three years, participants will journey from Genesis to Revelation and discover how God s plan of redemption unfolds throughout Scripture and still today, compelling them to join the mission of God. PLAN OVERVIEW Fall 2015 The Story Begins God the Creator (Genesis 1 11) God the Covenant-Maker (Genesis 12 50) Winter God Delivers God the Redeemer (Exodus) Coming Next Quarter God the Lawgiver (Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy) Spring 2016 The Promised Land God the Savior (Numbers, Joshua) God the Judge (Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel) Summer 2016 A Kingdom Established God the King (1 2 Samuel) God All Wise (1 Kings, Job, Ecclesiastes, Psalms, Proverbs) Fall 2016 Prophets and Kings God the Revealer (1 2 Kings, Isaiah) God the Pursuer (Prophets, 1 2 Chronicles) Winter Exile and Return God the Sustainer (Daniel, Ezra) God the Provider (Esther, Nehemiah, Malachi) Spring 2017 The Rescue Begins God the Son (Gospels) God Among Us (Gospels) Summer 2017 Stories and Signs Jesus the Storyteller (Synoptic Gospels) Jesus the Miracle-Worker (Gospels) Fall 2017 Jesus Saves Jesus the Savior (Gospels) Jesus the Risen King (Gospels, Acts) Winter The Church on Mission The Spirit Who Empowers (Acts) The God Who Sends (Acts) Spring 2018 Letters to God s People The God Who Directs His People (Epistles) The God Who Changes Us (Epistles) Summer 2018 Come, Lord Jesus God s Prisoner (Acts, Epistles) The God Who Makes All Things New (Epistles, Revelation) 162 Leader Guide Winter

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21 VOLUME 3 THE PROMISED LAND Unit 1 WRITERS: God the Savior (Numbers, Joshua) Philip Nation and Robert Smith Coming Up Next New Studies for Spring 2016 Unit 2 WRITERS: God the Judge (Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel) Afshin Ziafat and Matt Boswell Want to use The Gospel Project with other age groups? Preview The Gospel Project for Kids and Students at GospelProject.com. And now you can choose the Bible translation that appears in your study. Web: GospelProject.com Facebook: TheGospelProject Check out these additional study options for any other time you need a Bible study. TOPICS More Than Enough: How Jesus Meets Our Deepest Needs BY Jeff Iorg Beauty from Ashes: Redeeming Your Broken Moments BY Clayton King SCRIPTURE Studies in the Gospel of John and various Old and New Testament passages. SCRIPTURE: ACTS 1 12 General Editor: Vance Pitman LifeWay.com/ExploreTheBible BibleStudiesforLife.com WINTER