SMALL GROUP GUIDE GUIDE #1-5 SAMPLE DISPLAY COPY Narrative Lectionary Small Group Guides Discussion Guides
Contributors Publisher Gregory Rawn Editors Cynthia Fairman Paulson Joshua Warfield Elaine Seekon Writers Dawn Underwood Denise Rector Rev. John Klawiter Joshua Warfield Rev. Sheila Rawn Copyrights Living the Word: Small Group Guides (Narrative Lectionary, Year 1) Text copyright 2014-2018 by Spirit and Truth Publishing All rights reserved. No part of this resource may be used or reproduced in any other manner whatsoever without written permission. For information, contact Spirit and Truth Publishing at www.spiritandtruthpublishing.com. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Small Group Guide #1-5 Exodus 19:3-7; 20:1-17 October 7, 2018 The Ten Commandments About the Story Last week we read the story of the Israelites being freed from slavery in Egypt. This week, we continue in the book of Exodus as the Israelites camp at the base of Mount Sinai. In today s story, Moses goes up the mountain, and there God speaks. God again reminded Moses and the people that it is God who provided freedom in order to bring the people to God s self (Exodus 19:4). The instructions God gives are what we now call the Ten Commandments. Though different denominations and faith traditions number them differently, what is common to all is that these words give the vision God has for how the community of God s people will live with God and one another as a blessing for the world. This vision describes a community in which love for God and love for the neighbor guides thoughts and actions. It is a vision that is as much God s desire for us today as it was for the Israelites at the base of Mount Sinai. Even as God was giving these commandments, though, the Israelites were turning to worship false gods. We do no better at keeping these commandments. But as we will see in coming weeks, when we confess our sin, God forgives. In spite of the fact that we will never keep them perfectly, the commandments remain God s instruction for us. God's commandments are given so we can live the best possible life by loving God and our neighbor. Opening Prayer God of love, long ago you provided the Israelites with Ten Commandments. Continue to guide us and sustain us with your promise as we serve one another. Write your word on our hearts so that it may inform all that we do. We pray this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. Into the Story Try it alone first, then compare lists and see if you can work together to fill in any gaps. Resist the urge to use the Internet! Use only your memory! The answer key is below. The Seven Dwarves:,,,,, God s Promises Bring Hope The Point: God s covenant is a gift that guides us in how to live. We often understand the Ten Commandments as law or as a set of rules. However, it is better understood as a gift that guides us into relationship with God and with one another. Santa s Reindeer:,,, 2014-2018 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 2
Small Group Guide #1-5 Exodus 19:3-7; 20:1-17 October 7, 2018 Last Week/ Next Week Last week we read about the Israelites fleeing slavery in Egypt. God s marvelous deeds provided safety for them as they crossed the Red Sea and entered the wilderness. In today s story, the Israelites are camped at Mount Sinai and God gives Moses the Ten Commandments. These commandments are the guiding vision for how this rag-tag group of travelers will become a holy nation. The people, though, need to decide if they will worship the gods of Egypt or follow the Lord. This is the question posed by their new leader, Joshua, quite pointedly in our reading next week (Joshua 24:1-15).,,,, The Ten Commandments (Bonus points if you can put them in order):, Don t feel bad if you have a lot of blanks left, you are in good company. According to a 2007 USA Today article, 60% of Americans can t even list five out of ten. Learning the Story God has miraculously provided freedom! But what comes next? That s what the Israelites are about to find out as God shows them what life as a holy people looks like. Read Exodus 19:3-7 The Israelites Reach Mount Sinai? How do you think these words would sound to a people so recently delivered from slavery?? Can you hear the promise along with the command? Read Exodus 20:1-17 The Ten Commandments? Have you been taught about the commandments as rules or as a gift? Can it be both?? For each commandment, what do you think is the inherent promise that God provides? For instance, for verse 7, the inherent promise might be that God will listen and come to aid anyone who uses God s name correctly.? How do these commandments reflect the best way to live? What might a world without them look like? 2014-2018 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 3
Small Group Guide #1-5 Exodus 19:3-7; 20:1-17 October 7, 2018 Living the Story: Worship Many liturgical worship services contain a portion of the service dedicated to confession and forgiveness. Pray together a prayer of confession and forgiveness. Choose someone to read the italicized text and then have the group respond with the bold text. Alternatively, you could split into two groups, with one group reading the italicized text and the other the bold. Gracious God, you know us inside out, from top to bottom, from our most public triumphs and mistakes to our deepest secrets and longings. You provided us with the gift of the law to teach us to live in harmony with you, with each other, and with your entire creation. You provided us with your Son, Jesus Christ, who taught us to care for those most in need. You continue to call us into harmony with the movement of the Holy Spirit. But we continue to fail, we continue to ignore the needs of those around us, we continue to avoid your calling. Trusting in your unfailing grace and mercy, We confess that we have sinned against you, against each other, and against your creation both by what we have done and also by when we have failed to act. Forgive us for our sins. Renew us in our calling to serve. Lead us and guide us. We remember together the promise of God s forgiveness. We remember together Christ s death and resurrection, through which we are forgiven. We trust in that promise, knowing that God s love forgives us and guides us. We are forgiven, we are loved, and we are renewed. Amen. Bible Connections The Ten Commandments are also found in Deuteronomy 5:6-21, although there are some differences from the version found in Exodus. Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan to illustrate what fulfilling the law looks like (Luke 10:25-37). Paul sums up many of the commandments from today s lesson with one statement: love your neighbor as yourself (Romans 13:9). Closing Prayer For your closing prayer today, do a popcorn prayer of thanksgiving, where people add things they are thankful for! It is okay for multiple people to say the same thing they are thankful for, and, depending on how much time you have, to go more than once. Select a leader to begin the prayer with these or similar words: Gracious God, thank you so much for all the blessings you have provided us. We thank you especially for. When all have had a chance to contribute the leader says, And the people of God say, and everyone joins in to say, Amen! Bible Nuts & Bolts: The Torah The Torah is the first five books of the Bible. Torah is generally translated into English as law, but it also can mean instruction or teaching. 2014-2018 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 4
Small Group Guide #1-5 Exodus 19:3-7; 20:1-17 October 7, 2018 At Home Many catechisms (summaries of important theology and church teachings) exist that include concise explanations of the Ten Commandments. Do an Internet search and read the section on the Ten Commandments for your denomination. Reflect on rules you thought were unfair when you were a child, but now, as an adult, you realize were meant for your safety and well-being. How has your perspective on these rules changed? Try to notice if you encounter any references to the Ten Commandments this week whether in television, print, conversation, etc. How are they being referred to? Are they seen as rules or as a gift? Daily Readings Sunday Read Exodus 19:3-7; 20:1-17 God delivers the Ten Commandments to the Israelites. Pray to be centered in God s commandments. Monday Read Leviticus 19:13-18 God communicates to Moses further teachings on how to live in community. Are there communities you are a part of that include some sort of covenant or guidelines for conduct? How are these guidelines similar or different from the text for today? Tuesday Read Deuteronomy 6:1-9 The greatest commandment is given to the Israelites: that they should love God with all their heart, soul, and might. Write down verses 4-8 on a piece of a small paper and display it either in your home, or keep it folded in your wallet or purse to carry it with you. Wednesday Read Deuteronomy 34:1-12 Moses dies and Joshua takes over the leadership of the Israelites. Transitions, such as between jobs, moving, new relationships, or health/mobility changes, are often difficult. Pray for someone you know who is going through a major transition in life. Thursday Read Joshua 1:1-11 God commissions Joshua to lead the people into the Promised Land. Draw two overlapping circles. On one circle, write down what you think are the gifts that God has given your church, on the other, write down the needs of the community. Where the two circles intersect, write down tangible ways you think your church could help the community. Consider sharing your findings with the pastor or church leadership. Friday Read Joshua 3:1-17 The Israelites cross the Jordan River, finally entering into the Promised Land. Reflect on a time when something that you hoped for seemed to never come to pass. When it finally happened, how did you feel? Saturday Read Joshua 4:1-9 Joshua commissions 12 stones to be set up to serve as a reminder of the crossing of the Jordan River. What monuments exist in your community? What purpose do they serve? Consider visiting one of these monuments and reflecting on what it represents. 2014-2018 Spirit and Truth Publishing All Rights Reserved 5