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EXODUS Part 2-The Roots of Greatness
The Building of a Missionary Nation.
Israel was set free from slavery in order for them to become god's special messengers to the world; a Kingdom of Missionaries, in fact.(Remember Exodus Chapter 19 verses 4 to 6).An apparently ludicrous notion considering that they were a lawless, teeming, migration of illiterate ex-slaves.Talk about making a silk purse out of a sow's ear - Exodus provides God's strategy for building just such a possibility.
Step One
The foundation of all understanding and growth is contained in that word Relationship.The bible word for that two-way personal and special relationship with God is Covenant.Read together how this understanding was officially sealed in Exodus Chapter 24 verses 1 to 8.
NB.Blood is seen as the liquid of life.The essential life-bearing stuff which, when sprinkled on the alter (representing god) and the people, brought the two together under the one life substance. You may wish to share together some of the Christian images conveyed in the phrases:
"The blood of Christ". covering in one outpoured life, God and people
"The blood of the Lamb"
Step Two
The terms of the relationship are put into a permanent record (Exodus Chapters 20 to 23).Look through some of the subjects covered.The Basic pattern for Human behaviour is set out as "the 10 Words" or 10 Commandments.
Main Discussion:
Using Exodus Chapter 20 verses 1 to 17,make your way along each of the ten steps:
1. Verses 1 to 4-Why is it forbidden to try and make any image of God?
2. Verses 5 to 6- Does this mean God is jealous of or jealous for?
3. Verse 7- Is (even thoughtless) blasphemy so serious? Why?
4. Verses 8 to 11-Sabbath (Saturday) was intended as a day of rest and recreation.The Lord's day (Sunday) the day of resurrection was,in the 18th century A.D, treated very negatively and prohibitively even by the law of the land; have we now gone overboard in totally abandoning it?
5. Verse 12-How vital is a full family life to any society?
6. Verse 13-Is murder ever justified?
7. Verse 14-These days, is adultery still a sin?
8. Verse 15-How far does "no stealing" go? The firms telephone bill and it's stamps. Fiddling the Income Tax?
9. Verse 16-How do we talk about those impossible people we can't stand?
10. Verse 17-"God - You can't be serious".We now call this 'ambition' and getting on in the world, surely? What do you think?
Let your prayer time reflect your discussion on the 10 Commandments.
Optional preparation for the next session
Speed Read through Exodus Chapters 24 to 40 to get a feel for the shape of it.
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