Here are the questions for Exodus 13-14. This week, we will be looking at the Passover and the Exodus through the Sea of Reeds (often misread- Red Sea). Next week, we will try something a little different. We will attempt (emphasis on attempt) to observe the Seder Meal, also known as the Passover Meal. There are incredible insights into the expectations of Christ in this meal and we will walk through that in two weeks. But, in preparation not only for this week and all of its challenges, we will focus this coming Wednesday on Exodus 13-14.
1. Read through Exodus 13-14 three times BEFORE Tuesday night!!!
2. Note 13:3, 9, 14, 16; 14:31- God seems to be emphasizing His power! Why did the people need to see Gods power? What might an exhibition of His power be answering for them? What about us? How does God most commonly exhibit His power? Does your answer align with the general flow of the Exodus story? Why or why not? What would you like to see God do that would remind you of His care and control?
3. Why the heavy emphasis on repeating the story to the children? How are you doing on a scale of 1-10 on passing down your faith to your children? If your score is low, what do you think is hindering your duty to train up your children in the ways of Jesus? Write out a prayer request for you on a 3X5 card to give to another person in your group to pray for you this week in this area.
4. In 13:11-13, Moses describes the aspect of devoting and redeeming first-born. Numbers 18:15-17 explains some of the thoughts behind this. But, all first-born belong to God (whether via sacrifice or via buying them back from the sanctuary). This is also probably a response to Pharaohs earlier attempt to kill first-born children and to keep Gods first-born (13:15; cf. Ex. 4:22). Everything belongs to God!! Does Gods justice give you reassurance for tough times you may be facing? How so?
5. The Sea of Reeds episode is a salvation motif: God releases the people from slavery, takes them through the water, the enemies are abolished forever and they return to a land of promise to be Gods people and a blessing to all the families of the earth. How does this motif inform your understanding of your salvation? Does it act as a corrective for some flawed ideas of a more marketable, more stripped down salvation? How so? How does this NT adopt these pictures into describing our salvation? See- Heb. 3-4; 1 Cor. 10:1-14; Rev. 15:1-8.