DATE: 6/28-6/29
SERIES: The Bible
PASSAGE: Exodus 3:11-15; 18-22; 4:1-5
INTRODUCTION—5 MINUTES
What did you want to be as a kid?
Leader tip: Throughout this lesson we will see the ways God develops or changes our small dreams to reflect His calling.
OBSERVATION—20 MINUTES
Leader tip:
Background on Moses to this point:
Moses’ parents knew from birth that he was no ordinary child (Hebrews 11:23) and Moses grew up with the knowledge that God was calling him to great things. Moses had a sense that God’s hand was on him; He knew he must deliver the Israelites out of slavery.
Moses attempted to live out God’s call using his own power and murdered an Egyptian (Acts 7:24). He thought that his own people would recognize God’s call on his life, but they did not.
Moses had a willful heart, but God needed to build his character. God lead him to the wilderness where he learned humility and surrendered to the sovereignty of God. He became a Sheppard, got married, had children, took no pleasure in sin, and began to question whether he misinterpreted God’s call.
Read Exodus 3:11-15; 18-22
Who does Moses believe he is?
Leader tip: As we have learned in this series, when God issues a calling, the recipient reacts in both faith and fear. Where do you see Moses reacting in fear to Gods command? Why does Moses doubt His calling?
- Just a Sheppard
- A murderer
- An exile
- Not worthy
- A flawed leader- a person with no authority
- Weak, small, frail, broken.
Who does God say He is?
- Yahweh—I am—the name of the Deliverer
- Provider—I am all things you are not; I am all you need
- Greater than any god—All the gods of Egypt are not God because I am.
Who does the Pharaoh believe he is?
God. Pharaohs acted as undisputed rulers of the world for 1500 years.
Read Exodus 4:1-5
What do you learn about God’s call to his people?
Leader tip: When God issues a call, He provides all we need. God does not need us and our power because He divinely orchestrates all things.
All you need is in your hand
What is in Moses’ hand? What does this item represent?
Leader tip: what Moses is truly holding is his small dream. He doubts his call and his own ability to see the monumental task through.
Sheppard staff
- Identity- who I am.
- Income—what I do
- Influence—authority over the flock
What must Moses do with his staff—his Identity, Income, and Influence?
He has to throw it down.
Why must he throw it down?
Leader tip: In this insight, you have the message: God takes a dead thing and he makes it living. When we see God work, dead things become living. We know the future of this staff—it will part the red sea, lead military victory, strike a rock to release water, touch the river and turn it to blood. In our hands, dead things stay useless and lifeless, but God brings life to all things.
UNDERSTANDING—20 MINUTES
What are some key places people find their identity? Influence? Income?
- Work
- Family
- Bank accounts
- Possessions
- Vanity
- Personalities—am I funny, attractive, smart?
- Where you live
- Education
- Role in the family
- How they are viewed by opposite sex
What are the barriers to laying them down?
- Pride
- Cultural influence
- Insecurity—will I be liked?
- Fear of failure
- We think, “This is all that I have, I can’t give it up”
When have you seen someone lay down their identity, income, or influence for God to use?
Answers you may hear:
My coworker was devastated by a work transition where he had to yield to an ineffectual leader. He felt like he was passed over for a promotion, but he trusted God to honor him in his new posture of support and service.
In the wake of a divorce, my friend had to grapple with the idea that he may lose his children. He had to hand them over to Christ, the true father of his children, and trust that God had a greater plan.
APPLICATION—20 MINUTES
When has God asked you to lay down your staff for his purpose?
Leader tip: Find the stories of death, burial and resurrection. What has God called you to lay down in the past? What has he called you to trust him with?
What did God do?
Leader tip: Another way to ask this: What was the resurrection? Were you made better for the sacrifice? What was made living as a result of your release and obedience?
LIVE IT OUT—
What would happen if you laid down the staff?
Leader tip: Have each person who shared declare what they are laying down before the Lord so that he can bring it to life.
Statement:
I am laying down __________________ and picking up ______________________.
Examples:
- I am laying down having control of money and picking up a generous life.
- I am laying down my position and picking up obedience.
- I am laying down my stubbornness and picking up humility.
- I am laying down money and picking up purpose.
- I am laying down comfort and picking up a risky dream.
What would happen if we let go of small dreams in order to embrace God’s great dream for us?