Sermon summary: Our greatest problems are oppression under “Pharaoh” and resulting doubt/not trusting God. Our solution is remembering and trusting the promises of God and the hope of the gospel.

1) What problems arose for the Israelites in chapter 5? 

2) How did the Israelites respond to this oppression and injustice?

3)  Can you relate to Moses and his response to what seems like God failing  his people?

4) When do the immediacy of your circumstances, your pain, or your burdens seem more real than God himself? In verse 4, Pharaoh says, “Get back to your burdens.” When do you feel the pressure to get back to your burdens?

5) Take a look at God’s response to Moses in chapter 6 beginning in verse 1. What stands out to you about God’s response? Why does he respond the way he does? 

6)  Which of the promises listed give you hope? Do you struggle with “amnesia of the heart?” 

7) Read Hebrews 11:24-27.  What connections do you see between Moses and Jesus? What kind of a shepherd is Moses? What kind of a shepherd do we have in Christ?

8) Read Matthew 11:28-30.  Spend some time praying that we would remember and trust God‘s promises and find freedom from our burdens in Christ. Pray also for non-believing neighbors who have been “born into slavery“ to find this freedom

Read Exodus 4:1-17

1. What is Moses’ main protest in v1? Do you think it is a legitimate concern? In light of Exodus 3:18, what does 4:1 tell us about Moses’ faith?

2. The Lord provides Moses with three sign miracles in Exodus 4:2-9.  How would you describe Moses’ response to the signs in v10?

3. What causes you to doubt God’s promise, power & presence? Is there anything in this passage that can help you to counter those doubts?
   

Read 4:18-31

1. Jethro is a source of safety and provision in Moses’ life.  What does their interaction in v18 tell you about Moses and how he understood his journey?

2. Has God ever called you to leave a situation, person, place, or particular life pattern?  How did it make you feel to ‘cut the ropes’?  What was the result in your life?

3. How does the last verse of Exodus 4 relate to the first?  What does it tell us about who God is?

4.  How are you experiencing God’s call in this season of your life?  In what ways is God calling you ‘in’ right now?  In what ways is he calling you ‘out’? Spend some time praying for one another in the group. 

1. Moses was 80 years old when God finally sent him on this important mission.  Is there a time in your life when you questioned God’s timing?

2. Think through Moses’ life up to this point (the burning bush).  Was there any merit in Moses that should warrant his appointment as Israel’s leader?  How should this inform your posture toward God?

3. How does God answer Moses’ question in verse 11?

4. How does God answer Moses’ question in verse 13?  (Hint – I told you this morning!)

5. What is your response today to I AM’s call on your life?

Sermon Discussion Questions – Exodus 1-2

1. Read Exodus 1:1-7, 8-14, and 15-22.  What obstacles do the Hebrews face in each section? Why does the narrator reiterate in each section that the people kept multiplying (vv 7, 12, 20)?

2. How does the failure of Pharaoh’s plans to extinguish Israel encourage you as you look at what is happening in the world today?  

3. Describe the seasons of Moses’ life in Exodus 2.  How are his personal experiences preparing him for the task God has for him in the future?  What does his experience tell us about God’s providence?

4. Fear is an important theme in Exodus 1-2.  What does Pharaoh fear?  Midwives?  Moses?  What are some common ways we can obey fear rather than God?  In what ways are you being called to act in courageous obedience by trusting the promise, power, and presence of God?

Some questions used or adapted from Tim Chester’s Exodus For You: Thrilling you with the liberating love of God. The Good Book Company.